Ural Federal University: Over 300 University Students from Latin America Started Online Courses
More than 300 students from Latin American countries at Ural Federal University have applied to participate in a two-week English-language online course, “Immersive Master’s Degree: Computer Science and Management”. The course will end on September 9. Students are studying in different countries – Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Honduras and Chile.
The first week involves an introduction to the basics of management and computer science. One group of students will learn about creative industries and international projects, and another group will learn how to process data. The lectures take place online. Considering the time difference, lecturers start classes at 5:30 in Ekaterinburg.
In the Moodle learning system, students receive assignments, the successful completion of which will help them pass to the next level. Four narrowly focused tracks on IT Innovation in Business, Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI), AI in Green Energy, and Project Management in Creative Industries. At this stage, the student must complete a practical task or a group project.
The course is free of charge and was created to promote Ural Federal University’s graduate programs. One of the tasks is to realize the potential and possible conversion of short-cycle programs to higher education programs. Students who have successfully mastered the course in their track are given a discount for studying at UrFU and a priority for admission to the Master’s Degree programs.
“The course lasts only two weeks, but students will be able to continue their work and prepare a joint publication with professors, speak at a conference, or make their project the subject of a master’s thesis,” notes Pavel Reznik, Deputy Director for the Development of Educational Technology at UrFU.
The two-week course was opened with the participation of representatives of the Russian Embassy in Colombia, rectors of Mexican universities, and heads of the Latin American-Russian Association ALAR, UrFU’s partner in recruiting students for the online program.