Meeting with delegation of the University of Iceland
On June 10, 2016 the delegation of the University of Iceland together with the representatives from the Embassy of Iceland to the Russian Federation visited Higher School of Economics, Moscow. The delegation of University of Iceland was represented by Mr. Jón Atli Benediktsson, Rector, Mr.Jón Ólafsson, Professor of Comparative Cultural Studies, Mrs. Stefanía Óskarsdóttir, Associate Professor, School of Social Sciences, Faculty of Political Science, wife of Rector Benediktsson, Mr. Frierik Jónsson, son of Rector Benediktsson and Mrs. Óskarsdóttir. The Embassy of Iceland to the Russian Federation was represented by H.E. Mr. Albert Jónsson, Ambassador of Iceland to the Russian Federation, and Mrs. Irina Bolshakova.
The meeting discussion was moderated by HSE First Vice Rector Vadim Radaev who introduced HSE and its goals, challenges and achievements in the framework of the Russian Academic Excellence Project 5-100. The UI Rector Jón Atli Benediktsson made the presentation of the University of Iceland with an emphasis to its work towards implementing the Strategy to achieve the ambitious long-term goal to become one of the 100 leading universities in the world, focusing on outstanding research, teaching and support services. Currently, in 2016 the University of Iceland is ranked one of the 300 best universities in the World according to Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The meeting was hosted by HSE Office for International Cooperation together with HSE Faculty of Social Sciences and also involved representatives from HSE Faculty of Humanities, Faculty of Computer Science, Centre for Environmental and Natural Resource Economics, and International Summer University and Office of Internationalization.
Building on previous successful cooperation links in Political Sciences incl. research and Erasmus+ staff mobility, and promising discussions in Micro-history as well as networking associated with UNICA membership of both universities, the parties agreed to institutionalize cooperation, and signing of a framework Cooperation agreement was a part of the visit programme. The purpose of this Agreement is the establishment and promotion of academic, cultural and other types of cooperation between University of Iceland and HSE through a wide range of collaboration areas which may include: sharing of knowledge and experiences within areas of mutual interest; development of academic exchange programmes for students and faculty staff; exchange of administrative and management staff; development and implementation of joint educational and research programmes and their components; development of joint research projects and joint publications; organization and execution of joint educational, scientific, cultural events (conferences, seminars etc.).
After the signing ceremony the meeting participants exchanged their cooperation proposals exploring the areas of mutual interest and related implementation activities extending to Political Sciences, History and other Humanities along with Computer sciences, Education and Environmental studies. The formats and possible funding sources of students mobility incl. exchange semester-long study and summer/winter schools incl. Escapes from Modernity school and the HSE International Summer University and Semester in Moscow programmes, were also considered.
The delegation of the University of Iceland was really impressed by HSE activities and success, and expressed their willingness to foster cooperation in the fields of political science, history, computer science and other areas of mutual interest. The UI Rector mentioned that this was his first visit to Moscow and to Russia itself and that he was greatly impressed by people and the city.Both universities expressed their interest in developing research and academic cooperation and establishing student exchange. Currently, HSE Office for International Cooperation together with the faculties mentioned above have been preparing Student Exchange Agreement and respective implementation plan, and invites HSE colleagues to contact Alyona Sutormina to express the interest in cooperation, share your University of Iceland contact links, cooperation experience and proposals.
