In late February 2017, Irina Stapova and Elena Khurbina, professors from the North Caucasus Federal University in Pyatigorsk, Russia, visited ISU. The purpose of their visit was to study the European experience in the teaching and internship of the ISU.

The next interview was done by the ISU’s media center.

A: Would you like to tell me where you are professionally engaged at the moment?

E.J.: Our professional activity is related to the management of departments at the university. Irina Stapova heads the State and Local Government Department, Elena Jurbina, with the Department of Finance and Taxation. Our professional functions include the organization of the teaching process according to educational programs, conducting scientific research, managing the teaching staff of the departments, interacting with business representatives and other educational organizations.

A: Would you like to tell me about your international engagements and cooperation?

I. SH: The University has cooperation agreements with 73 universities, scientific and educational centers from 35 countries, including: Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Macedonia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Belarus, Turkey, Italy, Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Hungary, Canada, Abkhazia, Austria, Latvia, South Ossetia, Uzbekistan, Iran, Tajikistan, France, Greece, Spain, Jordan, Lebanon, Vietnam, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Japan, Estonia, China and the Netherlands. One of the most important guidelines in the international activity at our university is the academic mobility of students and professors because it offers exceptional opportunities for gaining elite education, conducting research or practical work.

As a confirmation of the importance of this direction is the positive dynamics of the number of professors and students leaving for studies beyond the borders of Russia. In 2012 35 associates of NCFU (North-Caucasian Federal University) traveled within the academic mobility programs at leading foreign universities, five of them under the (Erasmus mundus )program. Also, according to Akademic Mobility Programs Erasmus Mundus MULTIC AND DAAD traveled 29 candidates. In 2015, 175 students and employees from NCFU were directed to scientific scholarships, seminars for studying best practices in the European education system, discussions on issues of scientific cooperation, conducting scientific-research cooperation.

Within the incoming academic mobility of our university with working visits, as well as participation in conferences and training of associates and students,
participation in international student schools, arrived 134 foreign professors and representatives of educational organizations from Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America.
Students and teachers participating in mobility programs discover the way to higher quality educational and research courses and programs. They come home not only with new knowledge, but with valuable experience. Our University participates in international programs and projects (TEMPUS – JPCR), Tuning Russia, Erasmus Mundus Action 2, Multic, Erasmus Mundus Action 3 (ISEKI Mundus 2), Tempus GREENCO, Tempus IQA, Campus France, Exchange Program, and international programs for the Schengen (DAAD, Erasmus Mundus Action 1, Eduir in France).

A: What are your plans for future teaching science projects in your country and beyond?

E.J.: First of all, I would like to emphasize our interest in productive cooperation with the International Slavic University G.R. Derzhavin, for conducting together scientific research and conferences, academic mobility of students and professors.
According to the plans of NCFU, the continuation of the progressive development of 28 active scientific schools, performing research according to 47 scientific directions, growth of activity by participation in the Russian scientific fund grants, increase of the journalistic activity of the professors, including participation in international conferences and publications on the results of scientific research carried out by foreign colleagues.
In 2017-2018 we will expand our university’s participation in international student training programs and internships for professors. In the near future, the preparatory work for organizing such a trip to the Czech Republic ends. Work is also on way to prepare student grants under the Stipendium Hungaricum program for the purpose of training in Hungarian in Hungarian or English, as well as for the competition for earning scholarships for study in Slovenia.

We also plan to increase the participation of our students in the “Global Education” program – it is a state program for financing the study outside the borders for the citizens of Russia who will enroll at one of the leading foreign universities.

A: What is your goal for visiting Macedonia?

I.Sh.: Our visit is not the first visit of our professors in the Republic of Macedonia. International Slavic University and NCFU link business and friendly relations, in 2014 we agreed on academic cooperation among us. The main goals of our visit were the study of the European experience in teaching and internship in the ISU, which works according to the best traditions of European education and has a reputation as one of the best universities in Macedonia.

In addition, we have reached an agreement for conducting a number of interesting scientific and teaching activities for the current year.

A: What are your plans for further cooperation with our university?

I. Sh.: Plans for 2017 include the participation of Russian professors at the scientific conference “International Dialogue: East – West”, which will be held at the International Slavic University in April and participation of representatives from the Macedonian side at the scientific practical conference in April – May.

A trip to Russian students is planned for the summer international campus, where students from 4 countries will spend their holidays together. We express our deep gratitude for the invitation of MSc Jordan Gjorcev and MSc Borce Serafimovski. We are confident that such activities will strengthen the friendly relations between the countries and will contribute to integration through the creation of youth and science.

In the autumn, a return visit to our country is planned for professors from the ISU, during which they will be able not only to get acquainted with our university, but also get the opportunity to hold lectures, master classes for Russian students. In the perspective, we hope to harmonize the issues and the necessary documents for the implementation of double degree programs.

A: What are your impressions from your visit to Macedonia?

E.J.: Only positive !!! Beautiful country with interesting rich history, striking architecture, good and hospitable people. I particularly want to thank the leadership of the International Slavic University “G.R. Derzhavin “, to the  Jordan Gjorchev and Borche Serafimovski, to the rector Dushan Nikolovski.