In October 2023, the city of Hanoi, for the first time at a state level, hosted the Forum of Foreign Graduates from Soviet and Russian Universities – representatives of the education and healthcare systems of Asian countries (Fig.1). This large-scale Forum, organized by Rossotrudnichestvo and Humanitarian Education and Testing Institute, was attended by representatives from 13 countries—Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka. After the Forum, the graduates of Soviet and Russian universities from different countries shared their thoughts on the future of relations between Russia and the countries of Southeast Asia.
Q1. What is your impression of the Forum?
Answers
Dr Hlaing Min Oo (Myanmar), “I would like to express my special respect and pride to the organizers for the invitation to take part in this sonorous Forum. I also thank all the forum participants for the topical problems discussed at the Forum and for your interesting experience in promoting education and healthcare. I received a lot of important and valuable information. Truly a wonderful and amazing Forum. Everything went at the highest level and made a strong impression. The sympathetic, warm attitude towards me from the organizers of this Forum will forever remain in my memory.”
Siviengphet Phetvorasak (Lao), “The Forum in Hanoi, in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, has become the most important platform for discussing problems related to the current state and development of education and healthcare in the Russian Federation and Asian countries. The Forum allowed participants to share opinions on current aspects of education and healthcare and get to know each other. In addition, the Forum contributed significantly to developing and strengthening friendship and cooperation between foreign graduates of Soviet and Russian universities and leaders of Russian universities. In short, the Forum in Hanoi has conquered the hearts of all participants, especially the delegation of Laos.”
Jainal Abedin (Bangladesh), “This was a unique event for graduates of Soviet and Russian universities, which will remain forever in our memory. The Forum in Hanoi was very useful for developing relations between the Russian Federation government authorities and alumni associations of Asian countries.”
Dr Ratindra Nath (Nepal), “It was a wonderful experience because after a long break, we, graduates of Soviet and Russian universities from Asian countries, had an excellent opportunity to communicate with each other, as well as with senior officials of Rossotrudnichestvo and leading Russian universities. We shared our experience about the functioning of education and healthcare systems in our countries. Everything was great, but two days were insufficient for such a large-scale event. Rectors of Russian universities spoke about university academic programmes and the latest achievements of Russian science and technology. They invited international students to their universities for higher education. As Russian university leaders want to increase the number of international students from Asian countries, they need to understand that our education system differs greatly from theirs. They must adapt their training programs and internship systems to our national characteristics. We are ready to assist them in carrying out this work.”
Ravdanzhamts Urgamal (Mongolia), “I think that the Forum is a HOLIDAY not only for me but also for all graduates of Russian and Soviet educational institutions. Therefore, I would like to congratulate all participants, organizers, and guests of the Forum once again on this wonderful day of our meeting on behalf of the Mongolian Association of Soviet and Russian University Graduates (MAVSUZ) and myself personally! And I want to thank the organizers, and from the bottom of my heart, I wish you all health, happiness, prosperity and prosperity! Thank you – Vietnam!”
Hasan Shahid (Pakistan), “The Forum was organized with the participation of 13 Asian countries, namely Bangladesh, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, China, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand and Sri Lanka. Thanks to the efforts of the Humanitarian Education and Testing Institute and the Rossotrudnichestvo team headed by the Deputy Head of Rossotrudnichestvo Pavel Shevtsov, the Forum created an atmosphere for fruitful work and further cooperation.”
Q2- Which Forum events do you particularly remember?
Dr Hlaing Min Oo (Myanmar): “I have special memories about the grand opening ceremony of the Forum, during which the leaders of Rossotrudnichestvo, rectors and vice-rectors of Russian universities, and Forum participants from 13 countries were represented. It was also interesting to listen to reports, state problems and exchange opinions expressed by famous people during discussions (round tables), and take part in an advanced training course for foreign graduates, “Management in Education and Healthcare”, which was conducted by experienced teachers.”
Siviengphet Phetvorasak (Lao): “My special memories are related to the round table “Development of cooperation in the sphere of education and healthcare between Russia and Asian countries”, which allowed me and my colleagues from other Asian countries to discuss issues related to interaction with Russia in the field of education and healthcare, share experience, find common ground and attract attention of Soviet and Russian university graduates on the role of Russian as a foreign language in Asian countries. In addition, we exchanged up-to-date technologies with the representatives of Russian universities and received recommendations which were useful for the round table participants.”
Jainal Abedin (Bangladesh): “It was the second day when, within the framework of the sections, we could hear speeches from many representatives of the Russian delegation. There were also interesting speeches in Russian by graduates from different Asian countries.”
Dr Ratindra Nath (Nepal): “I really liked the plenary session, where the leaders of graduate associations from different Asian countries took the floor. They talked about their achievements in the fields of education and healthcare. Along with the leaders of associations, the Forum brought together successful graduates who have achieved significant career heights in science, education, and healthcare. One of the sections of the Forum was devoted to strengthening scientific cooperation and the implementation of joint scientific projects by scientists from Russia and Asian countries. Particular attention was paid to the proliferation of the Russian language, literature and culture in Asian countries, and the development of education in the Russian language.”
Ravdanzhamts Urgamal (Mongolia): “I liked all the Forum events. It was useful and interesting. What I remember most is the advanced training course for the graduates, where we worked in groups, got to know each other and discussed issues common to us related to teaching the Russian language in Asian countries. It means that a critical discussion took place at the Forum.”
Hasan Shahid (Pakistan): “This forum took me back to my days of youth when I met old friends from my university.”
to be continued
