Ural Federal University: From Art History to History: the University Was Visited by the Counsellor at the French Embassy
Art historians of Ural Federal University are planning joint research with their French colleagues in the field of industrial design. The delegation headed by Fabrice Rousseau, Counsellor for Cooperation and Culture at the Embassy of France in Russia, visited the university.
“The interest in French language and culture is confirmed by your students’ victories in various competitions. We are also glad to see progress in scientific sphere. We have several ideas for the protection of cultural heritage – in the field of restoration and preservation of art objects, research in the field of urbanism. We enthusiastically support the initiatives of your art historians,” noted the diplomat.
Fabrice Rousseau added that he sees great potential for joint research in digital humanities – the intersection of big data research and the humanities: in recent years similar graduate programs have appeared both at Ural Federal University and at universities in France.
The participants also discussed possibilities for the participation of UrFU researchers in the implementation of an interdisciplinary project on social design for the benefit of disadvantaged groups.
“As part of the development of existing contacts, an important measure could be to support plans to create a joint master’s program in Russian history and culture in consortium with the University of Paris I. In addition, support of an initiative to hold a Russian-French summer school for young scholars researching Russian culture and history, as well as a regular Russian-French conference, could be an important measure to strengthen our relations with our colleagues from France,” said Victor Koksharov, rector of UrFU.
The delegation, including Pierre-Alain Coffinier, Consul General of France in Ekaterinburg, toured the rare books collection of the University library, visited the university Center of the French language and culture, where they met with students, and the B.U. Kashkin Museum, where the exposition was presented by Tamara Galeeva, head of the Art Practices and Museum Technologies Laboratory of the UrFU.