St Petersburg University develops partnerships with Southeast Asia

Welcoming the guests, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, noted that the University teaches more than 120 languages and implements a large number of academic programmes with an Oriental component. St Petersburg University is therefore interested in signing direct cooperation agreements with Indonesia and Myanmar. 

'When we signed such agreements with different countries, we got the opportunity to cooperate with teachers who are native speakers of the languages,’ Nikolay Kropachev said. ‘For example, we have doubled the number of Chinese teachers: there are now more than 20 of them; and the number of programmes with a Chinese component has reached 91. At the same time, we also have academic programmes with other countries, for example: "Organisation of Tourist Activities (with Advanced Thai Language Training)", and "Law with Advanced Studies in the Korean Language and Law of the Republic of Korea".' 

The Rector made a proposal to open academic programmes for studying agriculture, oil and gas, medicine, tourism, and Indonesian and Burmese culture. 

St Petersburg University has cooperation agreements with the University of Indonesia and the University of Muhammadiyah Malang. In 2024, St Petersburg University is preparing to become a partner university in the student exchange programme ‘Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards’ (IISMA) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia. Additionally, the University’s academic staff are involved in joint research and publications with academics from Indonesia, as evidenced by the presence of 13 co-authored papers with foreign colleagues from nine Indonesian universities. 

Nikolay Kropachev also pointed out that for the last six years St Petersburg University has been the most popular university among international applicants. Last year, applicants from more than 120 countries submitted their applications, with 21,000 people applying for 1,000 government-funded places. For the fee-paying places, there were four applications per place from people from 50 countries. This huge competition gives St Petersburg University the opportunity to select the best students and train highly-skilled professionals. 

Additionally, the Rector of St Petersburg University initiated the opening of representative offices of St Petersburg University in Indonesia and Myanmar. This will ensure the spread of education in the Russian language, contribute to the development of international relations, and exchange of experience, knowledge and cultures. Currently, the University has representative offices in Spain, Italy, the People’s Republic of China, the Republic of Korea, Iran, Thailand, Uzbekistan, and Greece. Nikolay Kropachev also suggested that the work of the Language Testing Centre of St Petersburg University be organised in these countries. There are currently more than 120 such centres in more than 50 countries around the world.

Our university has many representative offices abroad, Russian language centres and branches. This is possible because of the special status that St Petersburg University enjoys. Recently, we opened a branch of St Petersburg University in Egypt, which is the first Russian branch in that country. We are ready to open representative offices or branches of the University in any of your universities.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia thanked St Petersburg University for the quality education of students in the Indonesian language and for the training of high-calibre experts oriented to work in Southeast Asia. The diplomat also noted that the Embassy of Indonesia is interested in the study of Antarctica and space and hopes to develop these areas together with the University. 'St Petersburg University is one of the most famous universities in Russia and acts as a centre for the kind of science we want to develop. St Petersburg University trains great people and we want to open its branch in our new capital,' added Jose Antonio Morato Tavares. 

The Ambassador expressed confidence that Russian-Indonesian cooperation will develop rapidly and that the countries will help each other to improve various social spheres, from education and science to medicine and mining. 

The Consul General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in St Petersburg, for his part, expressed hope that the partnership with St Petersburg University will be a promising step for both countries and will promote active cooperation in various fields, including trade, culture and the studying of Myanmar’s national language. 

"I hope you will become our good friends in the near future. We are ready to do our best," said Aung Pe Thet. He also agreed with the proposal of the Rector of St Petersburg University to draw up a roadmap with a list of specific activities to develop relations. The diplomat said that he is ready to find out which of his country’s students are interested in studying at St Petersburg University in order to develop a joint academic programme. 

After the visit, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Indonesia and the Consul General of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar expressed their readiness to assist St Petersburg University in strengthening diplomatic relations and establishing contacts in the field of science and education. The parties also agreed to forward the information received to the relevant ministries and organise further work on the development of bilateral relations.