A course for Reykjavik: the Rector of St Petersburg University meets the President of Iceland

The President of Iceland spoke about national heroes, peaceful protests and his dream to become a sportsman

Nikolay Kropachev told the guest that St Petersburg University provides training in the Icelandic language to future specialists. Now students have a chance to study Icelandic at graduate and post-graduate level. ‘We would also like to invite a specialist from Iceland, a native speaker, who would teach students living, spoken Icelandic,’ said the Rector.

‘Speaking about international scientific cooperation, the scientists of St Petersburg University published over 60 scientific articles in collaboration with their Icelandic colleagues, the majority of publications (over 50%) being placed in Q1 journals. On average, citation of these publications is 33% higher than the world average. These are works in chemistry, astronomy, medicine, physics and psychology,’ said Nikolay Kropachev.

Due to its special statues the University has been able to sign direct agreements on cooperation with government authorities of other countries. Should Iceland demonstrate an interest, we would be glad to sign such an agreement with the ministry of education and science of your country. We would welcome a higher representation of Iceland in the University.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University

He added that there are several dozen programmes with foreign participation – from law and economics to journalism and culture studies. He suggested discussing the possibility of developing a new academic programme on Icelandic culture.

The President of Iceland replied that he would gladly support such projects. According to him, these initiatives can be implemented in cooperation with the ministry and leading educational institutions of the country. These include the University of Iceland and the University of Reykjavik, where research is focused on our common issues such as the Arctic and international law.

I appreciate your gifts, but even more I appreciate your friendly attitude. There is nothing more precious in the world than real friendship.

Guðni Thorlacius Jóhannesson , President of Iceland

Otherwise, the parties discussed the possibility of developing joint on-line courses  in Russian for beginners, targeting Icelanders and in Icelandic for beginners for Russians, as well as the issue of developing language courses for children from Russian-speaking families residing in Iceland. Also, they mentioned the idea of compiling a new Russian-Icelandic dictionary, as the current one dates back to the previous century, and the idea of translating and publishing almanacs of modern Russian and Icelandic prose in both countries.

There is a Language Testing Centre in Iceland, which we opened in cooperation with the Russian Cultural Centre in Iceland. We should also consider the issue of mutual recognition of language certificates in Russian and Icelandic.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University

“Though Iceland is a small country, our strength is in international relations. I am sure we can discuss all these proposals in detail and reach joint decisions,” replied Guðni Jóhannesson, adding that these initiatives are of great interest. Nikolay Kropachev noted that any person at the University can come up with initiatives, take part in their implementation and improve existing procedures. ‘Such is the policy of transparency and openness of St Petersburg University and it includes foreign partners,’ stressed the Rector.

Nikolay Kropachev also said that the collection of  the M. Gorky Scientific Library of St Petersburg University contains a unique edition of ‘Reports on Iceland, Greenland and the Davis Strait for the Proper Use of the Sciences and Commerce’ (1746) by Johann Anderson, lawyer and mayor of Hamburg. The Rector noted that the book will be digitised and made publicly available. Guðni Jóhannesson, being an author of several books and a former publishing professional, said that it is a valuable and useful source, the digital copies of books being a present not only for him, but for all Icelanders and specialists in Scandinavian Studies. The President and the Rector exchanged gifts.