Discussion on the International Activities of BelSU and Their Impact on Regional Development

Presided over by Rector of Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) Evgeniya Karlovskaya, the meeting featured a presentation by Natalia Zhukovskaya, Director of the University’s International Cooperation Department.

Zhukovskaya highlighted the vital role that internationalization plays in fulfilling the university’s third mission: participating in regional and urban development. She outlined how BelSU influences the economic landscape through various avenues, including the export of educational services, the financial contributions of foreign students, the cultivation of a multicultural environment, and scientific advancements via collaborative projects.

She emphasized that the university’s partnerships with foreign entities are grounded in a multimodal strategic approach. This involves integrating joint educational programs with international projects that include industrial partners, all supported by collaborations with embassies, consulates, and crucially, government bodies and city administrations.

Currently, Belgorod State University is home to 3,862 foreign students from 92 countries, representing 23.6% of the total student population. Among these students, 2,485 come from distant countries, while 1,377 hail from CIS nations. Zhukovskaya noted that undergraduate and specialist students dominate the foreign student demographic, with popular fields of study including medicine, education, and chemical and biological sciences.

To enhance support for foreign students, the university has established four centres and eight conversation clubs aimed at fostering language skills and cultural exchange. Foreign students are also actively involved in volunteer initiatives and cultural events throughout the Belgorod region.

“Eighteen international students from BelSU are part of creative teams in the region, 29 participate in various sports teams, and 28 are registered as official donors,’ Zhukovskaya reported.

However, challenges remain, particularly regarding the internationalization of BelSU within scientific projects.

“Our primary challenge is to ensure that more of our foreign students, postgraduates, and graduates have opportunities to engage in research and development within the priority areas outlined in the Belgorod region's development strategy,” Zhukovskaya stated.

She also underscored the importance of cooperation with China, citing the successful establishment of the Belgorod Institute of Food Science at Dezhou University as a prime example of academic collaboration. This partnership has already resulted in 967 students enrolled, the creation of two international scientific laboratories, and connections with five industrial partners. Additionally, BelSU and Dezhou University have jointly initiated efforts to establish a twinning agreement between Belgorod and Dezhou.

The co-speaker alongside Natalia Zhukovskaya was Anna Kutashova, Deputy Minister of Public Communications for the Belgorod Region, who emphasized the pivotal role BelSU plays in the region's development.

“Through the active internationalization of its activities, the university not only enhances the academic reputation of the region but also contributes significantly to the economy, science, and social and cultural spheres. Moreover, it promotes the integration of the region into the global educational and scientific community,” Kutashova remarked.

The reports generated a lively discussion among members of the Academic Council. In response to a question from Pavel Olkhov, a Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Theology, regarding the expansion of BelSU’s presence in regions with a traditional Russian influence, Rector Evgeniya Karlovskaya expressed her support for initiatives proposed by BelSU staff that would enable the university to offer a unique agenda to these areas.

Rector also highlighted that during their recent visit to Congo, the BelSU delegation received a targeted request for personnel training from the country’s Minister of Mining.

“Over the past two years, we have expanded our focus beyond education abroad. We have discussed with the Congolese government the potential involvement of industrial partners, both as practical training bases for our students and in collaborative research projects aimed at creating new technologies,” Rector explained.

According to Evgeniya Karlovskaya, such efforts are instrumental in enhancing the global image of the Belgorod Region.

Following the presentations, the Academic Council acknowledged the preliminary results of BelSU’s internationalization efforts as satisfactory in terms of their contribution to the development of the region. They also decided to instruct the Department of International Cooperation, in collaboration with other university divisions, to develop a system for assessing the impact of internationalization on the region’s economic and socio-cultural development, incorporating both quantitative and qualitative indicators. To further facilitate foreign students’ contributions to regional growth, the Academic Council has commissioned the creation of a comprehensive program aimed at integrating them into the economic and cultural life of the Belgorod Region.