Lobachevsky University develops cooperation with American partners
On June 1, the UNN International Affairs Department and the Faculty of Social Sciences held an online meeting with representatives of the Northern Arizona University (USA) and discussed the possibility of creating joint educational programs, including distance learning programs.
Lobachevsky University was represented by Irina Leonova, Director of the UNN International Affairs Department, and Lyudmila Zakharova, Head of the Department of Management Psychology at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Head of the Master's Program "Personnel Management and Development of Human Resources of Organizations". Taking part on the American side were Daniel Palm, Deputy Vice president of the Center for International Education at the Northern Arizona University, and Larisa Brenner, expert of the international department at the Northern Arizona University.
The meeting built on a series of negotiations held both at the NAFSA and EAIE international exhibitions and conferences, and at Lobachevsky University. Both sides reaffirmed
their interest in developing cooperation, and the increasing relevance of distance learning in connection with the pandemic, which prompts universities to develop online educational programs with an international component.
In particular, the parties discussed the conclusion of an agreement on joint implementation of the UNN's Master's
program "Personnel Management and Development of Human Resources of Organizations" based on the Northern Arizona University's two programs: "Master of Education in Human Relations" and "Master of Organizational Leadership".
Various options for interaction were considered, including virtual mobility with the opportunity for Lobachevsky University's Masters program students to receive a certificate or a second degree as a result of taking online courses at the Northern Arizona University, depending on the chosen program of study. To take part in this project, students must have a good command of English, which will attract motivated applicants with a certain set of competencies to the UNN. This will also allow students to develop cross-cultural communication skills and as a result gain a useful competitive advantage for future employment. American colleagues also expressed interest in sending their teachers to conduct face-to-face classes with students of Lobachevsky University when the situation returns to normal after the epidemic, while online training has good prospects to be implemented in the near future.
