Ural Region Universities Strengthen Cooperation in Education and Science

23.09.2022

One of the most important collaborative projects is the launch of a joint Master’s degree network program

A delegation from the Ural Federal University named after B. N. Yeltsin (UrFU) has visited South Ural State University (SUSU). At this meeting, the universities cooperation plans and the possibilities offered by the Ural Interregional Research and Education Centre (UIREC) for the implementation of joint projects were discussed. Next year a joint Master’s degree network program is set to be launched.

SUSU and UrFU are long-standing partners interested the development of common projects in engineering and education spheres. Also, the facilities and infrastructure of the South Ural State University was introduced to the guests from Yekaterinburg.

“The expertise available at UrFU and that of SUSU sometimes overlaps and sometimes complements each other. In order to meet the challenges of the day, it is essential to have cooperation not only between universities, but also with businesses and other organisations. Through our meeting, we have found opportunities to develop partnership between our universities, both in education and science, and with the projects that we currently implement,” said SUSU Acting Rector Alexander Wagner.

Anton Korzhov, First Vice-Rector and Vice-Rector for Research of SUSU outlined the projects currently underway at the Computer Engineering Centre (CEC) of SUSU. The Centre is implementing a full reverse-engineering concept. One of the flagship projects of the Ural Interregional Research and Education Centre for Advanced Production Technologies and Materials» coined “Arctic Bus” is being conducted by CEC in cooperation with Automobile Plant URAL and Bauman Moscow State Technical University. A great deal of attention is paid to import substitution and re-engineering initiatives.

Leonid Sokolinsky, Vice-Rector for Informatization of SUSU, described the capabilities of the “Supercomputer Simulation” laboratory and pointed out that the supercomputer and the new neurocomputer perform a wide range of tasks, taking part in projects from emission control to Covid-19 diagnostics with the help of artificial intelligence.

“The SUSU has been a strategic partner for us in terms of both history and geography. These days, when the challenges presented by reality are serious, it is even more necessary to be united. From now on, our engagement must be taken to a new level. The world has become a very rapid and complex place. It is impossible to separate science from innovation, which in turn cannot be separated from education, and it is all happening very fast. We have managed to find a framework in which our universities will be able to set objectives and achieve the necessary results in a joint effort. We have agreed that the UIREC will be a liaison in this process,” noted Sergey Kortov, first vice-rector of UrFU.

The meeting parties also discussed cooperation in the field of education. Today, the UIREC educational platform integrates the efforts of all universities within the framework of additional and higher education. Next year, a joint Master’s degree network program of the two universities should be launched.

“We have held discussions on joint Master’s degree network programs, which we plan to launch in 2023. We have reviewed the university’s research capabilities, and I hope this will lead to a strengthening of not only our position in science, but also in education spheres. UIREC links the universities and serves as a hub where we can communicate with technology partners and arrange joint research projects”, said Natalia Andreichenko, Ural Federal University’s Vice-Rector for Graduate School Development.