Proposal of joint european project CHAIN-E

projects: · URAL-MANAG (university management) A foundation was laid for international activity of the Ural universities. A coordinating center for managing international activities in the region was created. · URAL-NET (development of interuniversity computer communications) As a result of interaction of the given project with other similar projects the universities of the consortium had an opportunity to access the global computer network Internet. · URAL-INFO (information technologies in learning) A base of relevant materials and facilities was created, information technologies are mastered, the teaching staff and programmers are trained to be able to introduce new information technologies in the educational process. · URAL-LAN (language preparation) The modern Language Center has been established. The Center was supplied with the newest equipment. The technology of intensive foreign language teaching is mastered. Regular teaching of the staff and students of the consortium universities take place. · URAL-ECON (teaching and research in the field of economics) The existing curricula were modified and new courses were developed. · URAL-DISTANCE (development of distant methods of learning on the example of economic education) A special course was given by Prof. Pasmiller. Workshops were held with a participation of the Ural State University representatives and the Ghent University ones. · URAL-ELECTRO (teaching and research in the field of electric power industry) The technology of internationalized curricula development, procedure of their coordination and introduction in the educational process was elaborated. · URAL-METAL (teaching and research in the field of metallurgy) · URAL-LIT (teaching and research in the field of literature) · URAL-LEX (teaching and research in the field of comparative lexicography) The positive experience of international cooperation in the domain of higher education was obtained. The indicated outcomes visually testify, that they are directly connected to the objectives and tasks of the stated project and completely correspond to the Tempus priorities. It is possible to consider the given project to be a continuation of joint activities of the Ural consortium. Besides, in 1994-98 Tempus/Tacis activities were jointly carried out by the universities of Ghent (Belgium), Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Valladolid (Spain) and the USVPU. In the course of implementation of the URAL project: Upgrading of Regional Academic Level TJEP1009495RF four structural subdivisions were created in the USVPU for the realization and management of international activities: · Regional Office for International Cooperation (RO); · Information Network Centre (INC); · Language Centre (LC); · Regional Centre for Student Exchanges (Vagant Centre) (VC). The activities of these subdivisions are of a regional character and are extended to the other universities of the Ural consortium. The Regional Office for International Cooperation assists in the teaching staff and student mobility organization. The Language Centre provides language preparation of the trainees from different universities. The Regional Centre for Student Exchanges has developed mechanisms and procedures of student exchanges, ways of realization of credit transfer, a method of definition of student workloads and credit allocation, has instructed the ECTS-coordinators appointed at the consortium universities, has mastered and disseminated the technology of producing information packages. The VC provides informational and organizational support for student mobility. The Information Network Centre provides the subdivisions with communication means, with access to local and global electronic networks. The administrative and academic staff of all the consortium universities have been trained in activity domains of the above-mentioned subdivisions at the universities of Ghent (Belgium), Rotterdam (the Netherlands), Valladolid (Spain) and other European universities. The Ural State University for Economics (USUE) joining the consortium (as a 5th member) in 1994/98 has established a number of partner connections with some European universities and institutes. The University has already acquired a certain experience before joining in the new project. Among them: Student and teachers exchanges procedures, language training, coordination of educational programs, creation of joint teaching materials, academic recognition of study results, agreements for rendering educational services, management of international cooperation. Student exchanges were conducted with Marburg University, Cologne University, Munich University (Germany), Higher educational commercial schools of Po and Lyons Cities (France). Teachers exchanges were conducted between USUE and Technical University of Roitlingen (Germany), Utrecht University (the Netherlands), London Economics School and NorthWestern College of London (GB).

At the present time all 5 Ural universities have their own offices for the international cooperation. It is seemed that their presence will be helpfull for the new project fulfilment.

* Links with other programs

The described Tempus JEP “URAL” is obviously directly connected with the objectives and tasks of the proposed project, which can be considered as its natural sequel. The achieved outcomes can be significantly multiplied in the course of implementation of a new possible project to influence not only the Ural Region but also the educational system of Russia, which will allow to use the Tempus funds with a maximum efficiency.

Some positive experience was accumulated also during the international project "Distance Learning in the Economic Zone of the Urals" ww.91.05/01.01/BO41, which was carried out by the USVPU in cooperation with the Italian Institute of Foreign Trade. In the course of the project more than 300 workers for small business were prepared with the distance learning method. This experience also will be used in the execution of the stated project.

It is very important that, the USVPU heads the Association for Scientific Research and Educational Methods in Vocational Education (ASREM/VE), which unites more than 130 educational institutions in Russia. The ASREM/VE meets the problems of development of State education standards of higher and secondary vocational education and preparation of normative documents for a multilevel educational system (bachelor and masters' courses). The ASREM/VE can really affect the system of education in Russia, besides it has a possibility to provide official recognition of the mechanisms and procedures of educational degrees award. The education internationalization process in the USVPU and other universities of the Ural consortium has a real chance to be expanded within the institutions of the ASREM/VE because the USVPU leads the educational policy in the Association.

In USU together with Moscow state