PSU Strengthens Cooperation with Gannan Normal University (China)

On October 24-25, a delegation from Gannan Normal University headed by Vice-Rector of GNU Gan Yafen paid an official visit to PSU. The visit programme was intensive and included negotiations on expanding educational cooperation, as well as participation in ceremonial events.

On October 24, negotiations were held on the achieved results in implementing the joint educational programme of double bachelor's degrees "Music" in the study field "Pedagogical education". Olga Surina, Director of the Institute of Teacher Education, and Tatiana Shipilkina, Head of the Department of Music and Methods of Teaching Music discussed with representatives of the delegation organizational issues of implementing the joint programme, and also agreed on a roadmap for its further implementation. Then the members of the GNU delegation - Vice-Rector Gan Yafen, Director of the Institute of Music Wu Runhua, Director of the Institute of Economics and Management He Xiaohua, Deputy Director of the Institute of International Cooperation Wu Cui, Teacher at the Institute of International Education Zhao Yuanze, Manager of the Department of International Educational Programme of Beijing Cultural Exchange Company Bridge Wu Yajing - met with Chinese PSU fourth-year students to discuss the issues of studying at the university. The students also demonstrated the developed competences, showing the delegation a small concert prepared under the guidance of teachers of the Department of Music and Methods of Teaching Music. The representatives of the Chinese delegation highly appreciated the performances of the students, noting the professionalism of the teachers of the department and the work done.

The guests also visited the Penza Philharmonic, inspected the concert venues of the cinema and concert hall, the Great Hall of the Philharmonic and the Organ Hall of the Philharmonic.

On October 25, the delegation members took part in a round table, where they discussed the results of cooperation in implementing the joint educational programme, and also got acquainted with the educational programmes of the Institute of Economics and Administration. Aleksandr Guliakov, Rector of PSU, welcomed the delegation within the walls of Penza State University and noted the strategic importance of developing joint Russian-Chinese cooperation. Aleksandr Guliakov emphasized the success of the joint educational programme with Gannan Normal University, within the framework of which 130 graduates received 2 diplomas.
Gleb Sintsov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, outlined in his speech the prospects for developing joint activities not only in the educational, but also in the social and cultural spheres.

Vice-Rector of GNU Gan Yafen returned a greeting, noting in her speech that this joint educational programme has become the first one in Jiangxi Province implemented with a Russian partner and approved by the Ministry of Education of China. This programme has become a recognizable brand in Jiangxi Province.

During the round table, Svetlana Taktarova, Director of the Institute of Economics and Administration of PSU, presented educational programmes in economic areas of training, including those implemented in English. During the negotiations, an agreement was reached on the development of cooperation in this area. The round table ended with an exchange of souvenirs and a joint photo.

As part of the visit of the Chinese delegation, a grand opening of the Chinese Language and Culture Center was also held at the Institute of International Cooperation.

The delegation also took part in the ceremonial events dedicated to the 85th anniversary of the Institute of Teacher Education. The guests of the concert were addressed by Vice-Rector of the GNU Gan Yafen, noting the honor given to her to greet the leadership of Penza State University, teachers, students, and guests on behalf of the Rector of the Chinese partner university. On behalf of the GNU Rector, she greeted the participants of the event and thanked the teaching staff of the Institute of Teacher Education and the staff of the Institute of International Cooperation for their support in implementing the joint educational programme. One of the highlights of the festive concert was the performance of the choir of Chinese students studying at PSU on the joint educational programme.

The members of the Chinese delegation highly appreciated the negotiations held during the visit, and also noted the importance of organizing mutual visits to universities to develop joint work in the educational, social, cultural and scientific spheres of activity. The visit of the Chinese delegation was organized by the Institute of International Cooperation of PSU with the participation of the PSU partner - the Beijing Cultural Exchange Company Bridge (CEO Wang Tao).