The delegation of embassy representatives from 18 European countries visited Tomsk State University

On October 07, 2018 the European Union Ambassador to the Russian Federation Markus Ederer and embassy representatives from 18 European countries met with the researchers from Jean Monnet Center of Excellence of Tomsk State University, one of the first centers on European studies in Russia. The members of the delegation also answered the students' questions.

During the meeting the Ambassador Markus Ederer marked the active involvement of Tomsk State University in European studies. TSU is one of the Russian leaders in Erasmus grants aimed at supporting cooperation in the areas of education, professional training youth and sport.

The university is one of the first three Russian HEIs which was awarded the grant to create Jean Monnet Center of Excellence named after one of its founders. The Center researchers study the experience of the European Union in youth policy and democratic processes for strengthening civil society in Russia at the regional and local levels. Special attention is paid to the status of young people in Europe and Russia to evaluate its role in the society from economic, social and cultural perspectives.

– We created the center when relations with the European Union were complicated, nevertheless, we actively applied for the EU grants and won them. We have already implemented five projects on various aspects of the EU studies. And this meeting is the great recognition of TSU by our European partners: recognition as the university that does an important and useful work and as the separate center, – said Professor Larisa Deriglazova, Director of the Center.

In December, 2017 TSU became the first Siberian HEI to be visited by the Ambassador after his appointment. At that time, besides meeting with the university administration, Markus Ederer talked about the state and prospects of the EU studies and European integration processes with the Head of Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence.

The TSU students got an opportunity to ask questions to the EU countries' ambassadors. Despite limited time, they managed to learn more about educational opportunities in EU countries and priority research areas.

– We were pleased that Markus Ederer emphasized public activity of our university, after all, he often meets researchers from TSU at different educational events. Besides, TSU is the most active Russian institution participating in the Erasmus Program, – said Eduard Galazhinsky, Rector of TSU. – We decided that the following step would be to invite specific ambassadors to pay more eventful visits so that they could get to know the university and the region better and bring their delegations. His own delegation consisted of more than 30 people and included companies' representatives and researchers.

The Rector also added that the visit of the delegation of EU countries' ambassadors to TSU is an important event for strengthening relations between EU countries and Russia. Besides, this is a unique opportunity for TSU students to communicate with people who 'are making world politics now'.

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