Volgograd—Chennai: VolSU establishes academic contacts with India

Volgograd and Chennai, India, have been sister cities for 55 years. The interest in joint research and educational projects at the higher school level, as well as the mutual desire of students from both countries to get acquainted with Russian and Indian culture, became the basis for establishing partnership between universities.

Today, a solemn ceremony of signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Bharat Institute of Higher Education and Research (BIHER), India, took place at Volgograd State University in the online format.

First Vice-Rector, Prof. Valentin Dzedik, and Head of International Office Marina Fadeeva took part in the meeting from the part of VolSU. The Indian part was represented by Prof. Vijaya Bhaskar Raju, Vice-Chancellor of BIHER, Dr. R Venkatesh Babu, Pro Vice Chancellor, and Dr. Rabindra Nath Shaw, Director International Relations.

During the meeting, the parties outlined the main areas of cooperation. VolSU and BIHER plan to develop academic mobility of students, professors and researchers, organize scientific and practical conferences, exchange research and development results, prepare teaching aids and textbooks. To celebrate the anniversary of the establishment of sister-city ties this autumn, the universities intend to hold a Festival of Indian culture at VolSU, which will include a "Volgograd—Chennai: 55 years of friendship" photo exhibition, yoga workshops and "My city through my eyes" marathon of video postcards with stories from residents of Volgograd and Chennai about their hometowns.

"The movement of sister cities is the best form of interaction. Individual projects may come to completion but personal contacts between residents of the two cities and countries will last for a long time. I am sure that the partnership with Bharat Institute of Higher Education and Research will contribute to the expansion of our academic and cultural horizons," Prof. Valentin Dzedik said.

Bharat Institute of Higher Education and Research was founded in 1984. Today, more than 15,000 students pursue their education there. BIHER makes special emphasize on research. The university hosts 18 research centers in the fields of digital medicine, artificial intelligence, sustainable development, nanotechnology, bioengineering and computer technology. The university has international accreditation of ABET, NBA, ISO; is included in the ranking of the 550 best Asian universities according to QS WUR and in Top 10 universities of THE Impact Rankings, being the first according to the Quality Education indicator (SDG 4).