ETU “LETI”: Expanding the Open Doors Olympiad Discussed at LETI
On May 13-14, LETI hosted the seminar on the organization of the Open Doors Olympiad by the Global Universities Association in 2021-2022. Its participants were the representatives of administrations of the leading Russian universities and key organizers.
“The Global Universities Association is probably the most authoritative platform that exists today in the Russian Federation. Here we discuss best practices, exchange opinions, and define directions for the development of higher education, one of which is the Olympiad.”
Mikhail Kupriyanov, Head of Research and Academic Areas of ETU “LETI”
Irina Karelina, Executive Director of the Global Universities Association, noted that the Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project is not just an Olympiad in the usual sense, it is a very large project, which unites 21 organizing universities, and acts on behalf of the entire Russian system of higher education at master and postgraduate levels in an open global market.
Alexei Levchenko, Deputy Director of the Department of State Policy in Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, pointed out that the number of international students at Russian universities grows by 6 percent annually. The government decided to double the quota for international students – it will be 30 thousand people by 2024. At least 20% of the total number of international students should be admitted through such intellectual competitions.
“Today, the Olympiad is an important tool and source of attracting talents. We are glad that the team of educators and administrators who organize the Olympiad understands its important role. Russian higher education is constantly improving its status and image, and every year interest of international applicants to education at Russian universities is increasing.”
Alexei Levchenko, Deputy Director of the Department of State Policy in Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
The seminar participants have spent two intensive days in general sessions and groups, which resulted in proposals for the expansion of the Olympiad, the development of its IT platform, and support for international participants at universities. The organizers produced a framework that will define the development of the Olympiad for the next three years.
The organizers of the seminar at LETI were the International Unit and the Institute for Continuous Learning of the university.
“LETI coordinates two areas at the Olympiad – Physical Sciences and Computer & Data Science, as well as the doctoral track. Starting in 2021, we will also begin to run the Engineering & Technology area. We need to present a united team in the international arena and promote engineering education together with the leading Russian universities.”
Anastasia Minina, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of ETU “LETI,” member of the organizing committee of the Olympiad
The Open Doors Olympiad is aimed at talented international students who would like to enroll in master’s and postgraduate programs in Russia for free. The winners of the Open Doors are granted free early admission at any Russian university, without entrance examinations and with tuition fees covered by the Russian Federation. The competition winners will be able to enroll in a program using a single-window system, choosing any of 500 Russian universities.