HSE University and Kamchatka State University Sign Cooperation Agreement
On April 17, HSE University and Vitus Bering Kamchatka State University signed a cooperation agreement at the Durasov House on Pokrovsky Boulevard. The new partnership will include joint expeditions, research, and educational activities, including a permanent expedition to research and preserve the languages and cultures of Kamchatka.
The parties agreed to cooperate on the organisation of student expeditions under the Rediscovering Russia project. The document was signed by HSE University Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov and Vitus Bering Kamchatka State University Acting Rector Evgeny Merkulov.
Evgeny Merkulov
‘HSE University is our strategic partner. Within the framework of the agreement, we are planning joint student expeditions and research, forming interuniversity student teams for working on regional development projects, as well as hosting joint scientific and educational events. Kamchatka Krai became one of the most popular destinations in the last expedition season, and I am sure that our cooperation with HSE University will help maintain this trend and achieve even more high-quality results based on student trips.’
Dmitry Zemtsov and Evgeny Merkulov also discussed the agreements reached by HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov and Governor of Kamchatka Krai Vladimir Solodov as part of the Days of Kamchatka Krai at HSE University. In 2022, HSE University students went on expeditions to Kamchatka Krai as part of the Rediscovering Russia project. The collaboration between HSE University and Vitus Bering Kamchatka State University was decided on at a meeting dedicated to the results of these expeditions.
Dmitry Zemtsov
‘Kamchatka Krai consistently attracts students and expedition organisers. In 2022, 12 expeditions to Kamchatka Krai took place, and this season we received 22 applications for expeditions to the region. Thirteen of these were part of the Rediscovering Russia project, and nine were part of HSE University's internal research programme. Two important decisions were made in the interests of the region's strategic development and the effectiveness of expeditionary work. Firstly, a permanent residence will be created at Kamchatka State University to systematise and track the results of expeditionary activities in the region. Secondly, we are planning a permanent expedition to explore and preserve the languages and cultures of Kamchatka.’
Rediscovering Russia is an all-Russia interuniversity student expedition programme . Students from top universities participate in socially significant projects aimed at improving life in Russian regions. The programme is organised by HSE University and the Russia—Land of Opportunity presidential platform, and is partnered with the More Than a Trip programme (‘Больше, чем путешествие’) and the Boiling Points network (‘Точки кипения’). The Rediscovering Russia programme gives students an opportunity to demonstrate their professional competencies, go on expeditions, and work on real projects in developing Russian regions. In turn, regional teams receive support from the best young specialists in the country. The Rediscovering Russia programme has been implemented at HSE University since 2017. During this time, more than 300 expeditions have been carried out and more than 3,500 students and teachers have taken part. In 2022, the project was expanded to the interuniversity level. Together with 35 partner universities, more than 100 expeditions took place, in which about 1,500 students and mentors from 58 universities took part. A total of 10,680 applications were submitted for participation in the expeditions.
For the second year in a row, Kamchatka has been declared a target region in the research track of HSE University’s Rediscovering Russia programme, said Lidia Zobova, Head of Research Expeditions at HSE University. ‘We see support and interest in research conducted by HSE University teams,’ she says. ‘This year we continue to develop our joint work and plan to conduct joint expeditions. Several students from Kamchatka State University will join our expeditions, and HSE University students will have the opportunity to take part in Kamchatka State University’s research. All expeditions under the programme will be posted on the HSE University Project Fair website.’