ICHEI visited Russia to engage in higher education collaboration
From June 26 to 28, 2024, the delegation of UNESCO-ICHEI paid a visit to Russia. Prof. LIANG Jiansheng, Executive Deputy Director of UNESCO-ICHEI, Ms. SU Rui, Chief of Knowledge Production and Communications Centre, and Mr. XU Mingshun, Programme Officer of Global Partnership and Programme Office, held talks with the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) and several renowned universities in Russia. This visit marks UNESCO-ICHEI's second visit to Russia since its inaugural visit in April 2018 and represents the first formal collaborative discussions with leading Russian academic institutions.
Discussion with UNESCO IITE on the Implementation of Phase II of the Joint Project
On June 26, the delegation of UNESCO-ICHEI visited UNESCO IITE and exchanged views with relevant units and colleagues at UNESCO IITE on the action plan for the recently launched Phase II of the joint project between UNESCO-ICHEI and UNESCO IITE. Mr. Tigran Yepoyan, Chief of the Unit of ICT in Health Education, UNESCO-IITE, welcomed the UNESCO-ICHEI delegation on behalf of Mr. ZHAN Tao, Director of UNESCO IITE. Also participating in the discussions were Ms. Svetlana Knyazeva, Chief of the Unit of Digital Pedagogy and Learning Materials, and Ms. Tatyana Murovana, Programme Specialist from the same unit.
From left to right: Ms. Svetlana Knyazeva, Ms. Tatiana Murovana, and Mr. Tigran Yepoyan
UNESCO-ICHEI held talks with UNESCO IITE
Representatives from both sides presented their respective work plans and key projects for this year and highly praised the "2024 High-Level Regional Policy Dialogue in Central Asia" co-hosted in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on June 24. Both parties agreed to leverage the outcomes of the dialogue as an opportunity to fully explore the practical experiences, emerging trends, and shared concerns in the Generative AI-driven digital transformation of higher education in Central Asia and beyond. This exploration will provide critical insights for formulating the action plan for the Phase II of the joint project between UNESCO-ICHEI and UNESCO IITE, titled "Facilitating effective application of GenAI in higher education teaching learning, as well as management in Central Asia and other Russian-speaking countries."
Group photo of the UNESCO-ICHEI delegation and UNESCO IITE representatives
Engaging in Formal Collaborative Exchanges with Several Leading Russian Universities for the First Time
On June 26, the delegation of UNESCO-ICHEI visited the Higher School of Economics (HSE) University and had a meeting with Dr. Evgeniy Terentev, Director of the Institute of Education (IOE), and other representatives from the institute. The university representatives systematically explained HSE's AI governance strategies from various perspectives, including AI talent cultivation, curriculum design, AI literacy for educators, and digital management of the institution. Both sides discussed leveraging HSE's research achievements and practical experiences in integrating and applying Generative AI to jointly promote AI literacy among higher education professionals in Central Asia and other Russian-speaking countries.
Prof. LIANG Jiansheng (Left) and Dr. Evgeniy Terentev (Right)
Additionally, the UNESCO-ICHEI delegation toured the digital teaching facilities at the HSE.
Group photo with colleagues from HSE responsible for online teaching learning
On June 27, the delegation of UNESCO-ICHEI visited Moscow State University (MSU), where Dr. Ruslan Proklov, Deputy Chair of the Department for Internationalisation Development, on behalf of Mr. Igor Bochkov, Chair of the same department, warmly received the delegation of UNESCO-ICHEI and presented the university's history, scale of development, and extensive international cooperation. The focus of the UNESCO-ICHEI delegation was on introducing collaborative projects and their impact in Central Asia and other Russian-speaking countries. Both parties engaged in discussions and explored enhancing AI literacy among university teachers and administrators within the IIOE ecosystem network, including Central Asia, through the IIOE Micro-Certification Project.
UNESCO-ICHEI held talks with MSU
Prof. LIANG Jiansheng (Left) and Dr. Ruslan Proklov (Right)
On June 28, the delegation of UNESCO-ICHEI visited the University of Information Technologies, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO) and had a meeting with Prof. Vladimir Vasilyev, Rector of ITMO University, Ms. Irina Kim, Head of the International Cooperation Department, and Ms. Natalia Medova, Senior Analyst of the Center for Asian Cooperation. Prof. Vladimir Vasilyev welcomed the UNESCO-ICHEI delegation and introduced the achievements of the university in the fields of information technology and information security, intelligent technology, and robotics. Both parties reached preliminary agreements on expanding partner networks and collaborating with the Southern University of Science and Technology in various domains, such as enhancing digital capability and AI literacy of university teachers, as well as international exchanges for teachers and students.
Prof. LIANG Jiansheng (Left) and Prof. Vladimir Vasilyev (Right)
About UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (UNESCO IITE) In November 1997, the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education was officially established. The institute is located in Moscow, Russia, and is committed to promoting innovative applications of information and communication technologies in member countries and promoting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4); to promoting pedagogies and best practices supported by information and communication technologies to encourage teachers in member countries to improve the quality of education; to unleashing the potential of information and communication technologies to promote educational transformation, through global dialogue and networking. As a category I institution of UNESCO, IITE has established a strong network of partners within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and is one of the important partners of UNESCO-ICHEI. It is also an important support for UNESCO-ICHEI to carry out project cooperation in Central Asia and other Russian-speaking countries. About Higher School of Economics (HSE) University The HSE University was established on November 27, 1992, and is a member of the Russian 5-100 Program, the Bologna Process, the European University Association, and the China-Russia Union of Economic Universities. As of 2023, HSE offers 127 undergraduate programs and 188 master's programs, with a total of more than 55,000 students, including about 5,200 international students, and has trained more than 120,000 graduates. In terms of teaching staff, the university currently has more than 5,000 lecturers and professors. The university's Institute of Education is dedicated to providing policymakers with data, theoretical support, and empirical evidence, playing a crucial role in formulating education policies and development plans. About Moscow State University Moscow State University was founded in 1755, and is one of Russia's oldest and leading public comprehensive research universities, with 13 Nobel laureates and 6 Fields Medal winners. In the QS World University Rankings 2024, Moscow State University is ranked 87th in the world. Moscow State University is an independent and autonomous university in Russia, and its statutes are drawn up by the Council of Faculty and Staff of the Russian Federation, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors (Rector) of the University is equivalent to the Minister of State Education of the Russian Federation. At present, the university has a total of 10,784 faculty members, of which about 4,000 are doctors of science and professors. There are 37,926 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students, including 4,954 international students. About ITMO University University of Information Technology, Mechanics and Optics (ITMO) has a long history of more than 120 years and is one of the top universities in Russia and the world, a pioneer in information technology, quantum science and photonics. ITMO is a leader in research in the fields of information technology and information security, intelligent technology and robotics, photonics and quantum technology, life science and translational medicine, natural science and smart materials, art and science, lighting design, environmental protection and urban research. The university currently has more than 13,950 students, more than 7,540 undergraduates, more than 6,400 master's students, more than 2,580 international students, and more than 1,320 lecturers and professors. |
