International cooperation has always been a priority for PSU. On May 20-24, 2019 foreign experts, researchers and lecturers from international partner universities gathered together in Polotsk to take part in International Days at Polotsk State University.
On May 20 our guests came to Polotsk College. Professor Silvia Guggenbichler (Pädagogische Hochschule Kärnten, Klagenfurt, Austria) visited the Faculty of Humanities and Professor Yukho Myakio (University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, Emden and Leer, Germany) visited the Faculty of Information Technologies. The professors met with Polotsk colleagues and started to learn the university structure and its infrastructure.
Next day, our international partners and the university staff took an active part in PSU partner universities presentation. Among the guests was a large delegation of Polytechnic Institute of Leiria (Portugal) represented by Head of the International Office Anna Sesilia Boa-Ventura, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Technologies and Management Marisa Denis and Professor of the Department of Civil Engineering Florindu Gaspar and specialist of the Department of International Office Eduardu Batalia.
Head of the International Office at PSU Siarhei Piashkun started his presentation with a brief background on PSU history and continued speaking about PSU priorities and achievements in the sphere of international cooperation.
Anna S. Boa-Ventura and Eduardu Batalia gave very interesting and detailed information about their young institute that has already had a strong reputation in Portugal and abroad. S. Guggenbichler and Y. Myakio told the audience about educational, research and international activities of their universities and presented a lot of interesting facts of the cross-cultural nature.
This was followed by the guests’ visiting the PSU Faculties and the Centre for preschooler development “UNIVERik” located in Novopolotsk. Our partners kindly agreed to make an initial assessment of cooperation with PSU and shared their impressions of staying on the hospitable Polotsk land.
Silvia Guggenbichler (Pädagogische Hochschule Kärnten, Klagenfurt, Austria): “International Days are a very important event. This is a good chance to get acquainted with colleagues and their teaching methods, see the country they work in and learn more about the university and its infrastructure. International Days wherever they take place provide with interesting experience, new friends and fresh ideas. In my university such event takes place twice a year – in October and May. These days we are hosting guests in Klagenfurt once again.
We cooperate closely with PSU. Last year, our Professors Pia-Maria and Gerhard Rabenschteiner visited PSU while PSU representatives Tatsiana Gordeenok and Olga Protas visited International Days in Austria last autumn.
The acquaintance with Polotsk State University is of great professional interest to me. I am a professor in inclusive education. Therefore, communication with colleagues and a visit to “UNIVERik” can enrich my experience and I hope that my knowledge will be of use to the lecturers at PSU in return.
I came to Belarus two days ago. I saw Minsk. I was amazed by its sights, cleanliness and friendly people. I visited Polotsk as well. What a beautiful city! I really liked the ancient walls of this campus. For our university is a modern building, we lack this atmosphere and spirit of the past, which are present at Polotsk College”.
Eduardu Batalia (Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal): “I have visited Belarus for the first time. This event is a wonderful opportunity to get acquainted with our colleagues from PSU and strengthen the existing links between our universities. We have much in common. We have good experience in double diploma programme in ‘Civil Engineering’. During the last few years, graduate students from Polotsk State University came to us. It is a very useful experience!”
Florindu Gaspar (Polytechnic Institute of Leiria, Portugal): “Our cooperation with PSU is developing successfully. We have prepared 7 master’s students so far, if I’m not mistaken. Some of them have already finished their studies, defended their theses and received diplomas. And our collaboration is not finished, we wait for new master’s students!
I have come to Polotsk State University for the second time. I haven’t had enough time to notice any external changes. Nevertheless, it is nice to know that now I have a lot of familiar lecturers here if compared to 2016. We have done a good job and we have new ideas for enhancing cooperation between Polytechnic Institute of Leiria and Polotsk State University”.
Yukho Myakio (University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer, Germany): “I was born in Finland. Back in the days, I studied informatics in Germany, but my doctorate thesis was on economics. I have been a Professor at University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer for 6 years already. I give lectures on diverse subjects, but the principle one is programming. In addition, I have been giving lectures at the Faculty of Economics at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University for 10 years.
My scientific interests cover a large area from education to programming. That’s how I turned out to become a STIMEY project participant, the same as my university and PSU. My colleagues and I develop the education platform that can make schoolchildren interested in exact sciences and engineering.
This is my third visit to Belarus, but the first one to Polotsk and Novopolotsk and Polotsk State University. I see good prospects for our cooperation development on a wide range of directions. Besides, I speak Russian and I’m open to suggestions from my Belarusian colleagues. Preferably, of course, suggestions connected with applied research. Moreover, we have already had a joint scientific publication in the sphere of information technologies.
Yesterday I visited Polotsk College. I could feel the love and care the past is treated with at your university. Amazing architecture! Very beautiful! It can be seen in the city’s streets and buildings that it used to be very rich and important. Today, clean and fascinating Polotsk is a delight for our eyes. I liked the city very much”.
Vladimir Filipenko
Photos: Polina Kosarevskaya