University of Antwerp visited St Petersburg University

The collaboration between the University of Antwerp and St Petersburg University is a good example of effective long-standing cooperation, said Deputy Rector for International Affairs at SPbU Sergei Andrushin. In terms of joint publications, the University of Antwerp is among the leading universities in Europe, and we constantly have academic exchange for staff and students. Yet we are ready to go beyond what we have. “Today we have encountered some imbalances: we send more scientists to the University of Antwerp, than the University of Antwerp sends to us, — said Sergei Andrushin. — How we can make the best of the situation is to introduce more research projects and use the state-of-the-art research opportunities SPbU offers”.

The University of Antwerp started in 2003 when three small universities united, said the Rector for Research of the University of Antwerp Ronny Blast. Now, 15 years after, it is among the world’s leading universities, with a total body of students increasing from 8,000 to 20,000.

We focus on internationalization of our university by increasing the quality of our publications and introducing new research fields. It is essential for us as our students who pursue master studies get positions that the post-graduate students usually do. We must stay up-to-date.

Rector for Research of the University of Antwerp Ronny Blast

The research grants, including those financially supported by the University of Antwerp, can serve as a way to boost collaboration with St Petersburg University, he added.

Internationalization in education and research is among the high priorities for SPbU as well, said the Vice-Rector for Research at SPbU Sergei Aplonov. The University is open for global cooperation: for the last two years, we have accepted over 400 international scientists. The Vice-Rector for Research suggested several ways how we can develop our collaboration with the University of Antwerp. Our Belgian colleagues can apply for our postdoc programmes and be involved in joint research projects. We have such experience with the DFG, with each party financing its scientists. We also can apply for grants. Among the most recent successful results of our collaboration with other universities that can benefit not only academic community, but also society and business is that we have recently received a joint patent with Kiel University, said the Director of the Main Office for Use and Defense of Intellectual property at SPbU Vladimir Lukianov.

The parties agreed to identify the areas for collaboration.