The University Rector, Prof. Evgeny Chuprunov led a delegation to Australia in early March to develop academic links and participate in the 11th APAIE (Asia-Pacific Association for International Education) Annual Conference and Exhibition. The theme for the Conference was ‘Asia Pacific – A Global Education and Research Powerhouse: New models of cooperation in research engagement and education mobility for the 2020’s.’

The APAIE Melbourne Conference and Exhibition brought together 1,600 policy-makers and education experts from 47 nations, including such as Japan, China, Taiwan, South Korea, the U.S., Germany, France, Canada, Singapore, and others.

Leading Russian universities were well-represented for the first time at the event. Project 5-100 universities had a stand in the main exhibition hall, with the aim of promoting Russian education. The delegation of Lobachevsky University, which included Alexander Bedny, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, and Dmitry Kolesnikov, Deputy Director of UNN International Office, discussed possible lines of cooperation with several universities of South Korea, China, Spain, South Africa, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia as well as with major recruiting companies and information and analytical agencies involved in attracting international students.

UNN Rector, Prof. Evgeny Chuprunov and Vice-Rector Alexander Bedny took part in the APAIE Presidents’ Roundtable hosted by the University of Melbourne. Presidents of local universities and heads of overseas universities – representing over 20 Asia-Pacific countries – discussed if rankings destroy universities and how rankings influence student choice.