Russian University offers scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies; UG to sign Cooperation Agreement

Last Updated on Wednesday, 3 June 2015, 22:28 by GxMedia

The University of Guyana is expected to sign a Cooperation Agreement with the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia on Thursday, June 4 as the two academic entities seek to strengthen ties through various programs.

Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine met with a delegation from the Peoples’ Friendship University Wednesday, June 3 where the foreign university proposed cooperation between the two sides. The Cooperation agreement, according to a release from the Education Ministry, envisages the exchange of professors, lecturers, scientists and staff for teaching and research purposes; joint research activities; upgrading of professors and lecturers; preparation and translation of textbooks, manuals and curricula; joint organisation of conferences, seminars and symposia; exchange of undergraduate and postgraduate students; exchange of publications and attachments or internship which are language related.

““The thrust of the discussion was the proposed collaboration between the University of Guyana and the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia; the proposed agreement for mutual recognition of qualifications between the two countries; and the ongoing offer of scholarships to the Government of Guyana for undergraduate and graduate studies at the Peoples’ Friendship University.”

The Russian delegation comprised the First Vice-Rector, Professor Evgeny L. Shchesnyak; Head of the North and Latin American Department, Vladimir Valdimirovich; and Head of the International Protocol Office, Dr. Evgeny Martynenko. They were accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Jacob Opadeyi; Deputy Vice-Chancellor-Planning and Developmenet, Dr. Elizabeth Ramlal; and Mr. Vincent Alexander, former Registrar of the University of Guyana. The Russian Ambassador to Guyana, H.E. Nikolay Smirnov and his deputy were also in attendance.

The Peoples’ Friendship University has been in existence for 55 years and has always focused on the provision of study opportunities to foreign students. Over 150 countries are represented in its student population in over 116 disciplines.

Guyana has been a beneficiary of scholarships to the Peoples’ Friendship University sine the 1960’s and currently has six students are studying there through financing by RUSAL, the Russian bauxite company that operates at Aroaima. Both sides have testified to the mutually beneficial relationship that has been established over the years and committed to the furtherance of this relationship in areas of mutual interest within the three spheres mentions above.