Development of international cooperation at Mari State University advances to a new level

The Republic of Mari El as a subject of the Russian Federation with a high scientific and educational potential of universities on its territory in 2016 was included in the agenda of Russian-Indian cooperation in terms of training medical specialists with higher education for the Indian healthcare industry.

Mari State University is constantly in touch with the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation regarding the study and residence of students in the Republic of Mari El.

One of the key projects of Mari State University is to develop export of educational services by increasing the number of foreign students, creating an English-speaking educational environment in the university, attracting foreign teachers and joining professional associations and communities of international level, which directly affects the quality of education and its vocation at the international level. This is especially true for medical specialties, which are in particular demand in today's world.

Thanks to productive cooperation with the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in India, MarSU is steadily increasing the number of Indian students every year, while maintaining the high level of quality education provided. Today 1,300 Indian students are studying at MarSU in 3 educational programmes in English. Practical medical skills are practised at 5 Mari El institutions and the Mari El Accreditation and Assimilation Training Centre at MarSU. More than 60 medical scholars are involved in the educational process, and by mutual agreement, prominent professors of medicine from India give public classes. Mari State University is a permanent member of the Russian-Indian Association of Universities, is included in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS) and is on the list of higher educational institutions recognized by the Medical Council of India. MarSU has a 'Guest Professor' programme, which includes lectures and consultations with leading foreign professors in various fields of study. This is a unique opportunity for students and teachers not only to acquire new knowledge and share experience, but also to meet renowned scientists and practitioners and improve their foreign language skills. The programme of socio-cultural adaptation of students is provided by repertoire of state theatres, philharmonic, museum and exhibition organizations, organization of festivals and national culture days.

- Students from India are a serious part of Mari State University. The guys show a good level of school education, knowledge of English, which makes it easier to teach them in different disciplines. And what pleases me is that they are really determined to achieve the result - to become doctors - and they go for it. It is important that they are well brought up and know what traditional values are," emphasised Rector Mikhail Shvetsov. - In our turn we do everything in order for their dream to come true, and we are constantly working to improve the quality of education.

Currently, Mari State University is involved in the process of rendering assistance to Indian students who find themselves in Ukraine and accepts students for studies.

Subrata Das, Minister of Education and Welfare of the Embassy of India in Russia, thanked the university for the warm welcome and asked whether there are plans to expand the humanities and technical disciplines in which Indian students can study. Young people would be happy to study at the university in fields other than medicine. Later, he met with Indian students of MarSU, where he was able to chat with them informally.

- Thanks to our cooperation Yoshkar-Ola has become a more recognizable city, also because of the media in India talking about our university. I think we should discuss programs not only in medicine, but also, let's say, business administration. Participants of such a program could have an internship in Indian companies. It's no secret that agriculture is the backbone of the Mari El GDP and we are interested in this production entering the world markets, in new investors who would come to the republic. Although it is not the task of the university, but our job is to introduce, teach, and show opportunities," Mikhail Shvetsov replied.

- Indian students have been studying at Mari State University for a long time. Some of them are students who used to attend universities of Ukraine. I am grateful for the help provided to them, - said Subrata Das, Minister of Education and Social Welfare of the Embassy of India in the Russian Federation.  

The guests from India were also welcomed by Mikhail Vasyutin, First Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Republic of Mari El, who noted that cooperation with the Centre for International Education is a new step in the development of both parties.

- The Government of the Republic of Mari El does its best to ensure that people who come to study here, receive a decent education and feel well here. We support interethnic dialogue: it takes place both within and outside the university, and we do everything possible so that students from other countries, including India, come to us with great desire and zeal to study.

The prospect is to continue cooperation with India in the field of education and the development of a multicultural environment.