Ural Federal University: Language, Learning, Careers- University Identified Key Projects in Mongolia
The insufficient knowledge of the Russian language for higher education and subsequent careers remains the main obstacle to increasing the number of Mongolian students at Ural Federal University and other leading universities in Russia. Measures to improve the situation were the central theme of the university’s delegation, headed by Victor Koksharov, Rector of the university, and representatives of education, science, and industry.
“The effectiveness of cooperation with Mongolian universities and enterprises is reduced because of the language barrier of students. Over 350 students from Mongolia studied at the Ural State Technical University in Soviet Sverdlovsk alone, and another 150 at the Ural State University. Currently we have only 49 students from the republic at the united UrFU, who want to return home as qualified specialists, having had time to undergo practical training at our region’s industrial enterprises,” Koksharov emphasized.
One possible solution to the problem is to open the Russian Language Center, similar to what the Ural Federal University has already established in Egypt and China. The issue was discussed on October 6 at meetings with representatives of education, industry, and business.
The spheres of interaction under discussion include advanced training of Mongolian specialists for power engineering and construction. We are also discussing the training of Masters in mechanical engineering and thermal power engineering, the training of Bachelors in IT and the launch of network educational programs. The introduction of technological developments of UrFU scientists into production processes is also planned.
“The decision to implement the university scientists’ developments is supported by the agreements between UrFU and the Mongolian Academy of Sciences. The university’s Division of International Educational Programs will be responsible for teaching Russian to Mongolian students,” adds the rector of UrFU.