In the modern world the system of higher education is becoming more and more international. Baikal State University is a modern university that maintains friendly relations with many foreign partners.
A great role in the execution of this noble mission belongs to the International Faculty, which appeared as a result of the long and glorious humanities traditions of the University related to the teaching of the Russian language to foreign citizens.
Department of Russian Language and Cross-Cultural Communication
Today, the International Faculty is attended by international students who came to Russia for different reasons: some of them want to get to know the country and its traditions in order to decide on their future choice of education, others came to Irkutsk, to BSU, to study the Russian language and Russian culture, and others have a fairly high level of Russian language and decided to improve their skills. These students want to live in a linguistic environment and communicate with Russian people here in Russia, to feel its atmosphere and hear live Russian speech.
Students and attendees of the International Faculty come from many countries around the world. In 2022, these are 10 countries (PRC, Vietnam, Mongolia, Ecuador, Ecuador, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Morocco, Equatorial Guinea, India, and Uzbekistan).
Last year, students from 19 countries (Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, Laos, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, etc.) received diplomas of graduation from Baikal University and certificates of language training in Russian as a foreign language.
The boundaries of enrollment in our department have expanded considerably. That is why it was renamed International. However, its mission is unchanged - to promote international cooperation and to train highly qualified specialists in the field of linguistics and intercultural communication.
The structure of the department today includes:
- Department of Russian Language and Intercultural Communication,
- Preparatory Faculty,
- Center for testing citizens of foreign countries in Russian as a foreign language.
The Department of Russian Language and Intercultural Communication is the most numerous today: the teaching staff includes more than 40 people. These are associate professors, senior lecturers, assistants, including native speakers of Chinese. The disciplines realized by the teachers are very versatile - from Russian as a native and foreign language in all its aspects to business etiquette. The teachers of the department traditionally represent 2 sectors - Chinese language and Russian language. But the unity, friendly atmosphere, enthusiasm of the team are determined by the common goal - to prepare competent, competitive graduates, perfectly oriented in the modern economic and linguistic environment. Scientific, educational, teaching and organizational activities of teachers are embodied in the publication of new textbooks for foreign students (more than 50 textbooks have been published), the creation of a new media project for the university - a radio show “Great and Mighty” about the Russian language, the involvement of students in volunteer assistance to orphanages and much more.
The Preparatory Faculty trains foreign students preparing for admission to Russian universities, there are 4 areas of training: linguistic profile, economic profile, cultural profile, as well as inclusive training - a program implemented for Chinese students from partner universities. Long-time friends and partners of Baikal University are such universities of the People's Republic of China as Manchurian Institute of Russian Language, Manchurian Professional College, Jilin Financial and Economic University (Changchun), Zhongnan University of Economics and Law (Wuhan); Shandong Professional Institute of Foreign Languages (Zhizhao). Upon completion of the training, a state certification test to determine the level of Russian language proficiency is conducted and a certificate is awarded.
Currently, the International Faculty is unique not only for Irkutsk, but also for the whole region in implementing dual degree programs with partner universities from the People's Republic of China based on the dual-level system of higher education adopted in Russia:
- bachelor's degree (Russian students), double degree programs are carried out jointly with Chinese partner universities in the fields of: “World Economy”, 'Management (business administration)', ''Commerce (marketing, sales, logistics)''. Training takes place in Russia and China. Graduates who have successfully completed their studies receive two state diplomas from BSU and partner universities: Beijing University of Foreign Economics and Trade (Beijing) and Shenyang Polytechnic University (Shenyang);
- Bachelor's degree ( international students), majoring in “Linguistics”, specializing in “Russian as a foreign language”. In this case, our partner is the Manchurian Institute of Russian Language of the University of Inner Mongolia (Manchuria). Joint educational programs - three- and four-year training programs - have been developed specially for them.
The difficult times of the pandemic, which has not receded so far in China, did not stop the educational process, did not break the desire of the majority of students to become diploma holders of two universities with excellent knowledge of Chinese/Russian languages. In some cases, even now the programs are implemented with the use of distance technologies. But we believe in a better future!
Within the framework of the Summer and Winter Language Schools of the Department of International Studies international students can take short-term courses of studying Russian as a foreign language (2-4 weeks) and pass the Russian language proficiency exam.
The International Faculty carries out multidimensional research activities. The scientific interests of the department staff cover a wide range of problems of modern linguistics and linguodidactics:
- «Text analysis in cognitive, pragmatic and cultural aspects»,
- «Linguistic, linguodidactic and sociological aspects of intercultural communication»,
- «Contrastive study of different-level linguistic units in linguoculturology and regional toponymy»,
- «International socio-economic and humanitarian cooperation in the conditions of regional language policy»,
- «Modern methods and technologies of linguistic education».
An important area of research at the department is comparative analysis of the Russian and Chinese languages. A new direction - the study of linguistic means of media space in Russia, China and Korea - is beginning to develop rapidly.
The International Faculty organizes numerous events for international students: orientation tours with a supervisor around the university, the downtown Irkutsk, Irkutsk museums, excursions to the ethnographic museum “Taltsy” and Listvyanka; initiation into students for newly arrived students on bachelor's degree programs (together with Russian students); quiz “Russia-China”, song contest “Baikal Wave”, where students perform songs in a foreign language; evening “Russian Tea” (foreigners talk about tea drinking culture in their countries, and Russian students - about Russian tea drinking culture, BSU folk ensemble “Kudesy” performs, foreigners get acquainted with Russian traditions and folk games); matinee “Russian New Year” (Russian students organize a matinee-presentation for foreign students to familiarize them with the traditions of celebrating New Year in Russia); concert “Eastern New Year” (students prepare creative numbers, often joint Russian and Chinese students); matinee called “Maslenitsa at IF” (organized by Russian language teachers); photo contests “My favorite university, faculty, group”, for Russian students the contest “The most beautiful hieroglyph”, career guidance talks, visits to the dormitory, joint trips with Russian students to Vityaz rock-climbing hill, skating rink, cinema, tea parties in the dormitory (during the academic year). Within the framework of the event “BSU Student Ball” foreign students compete in the nomination “ International Student of the Year”.
Most of the activities are aimed at socio-cultural adaptation of foreign students. They not only get acquainted with history and Russian culture, but also find new friends who can provide them with friendly support in their studies and practical mastering of the Russian language. Many of the international students come to Russia for the first time and it is very important for them to adapt in a new language environment. Also the system of curatorship at the faculty plays a huge role - each group has its own teacher-curator. During the academic year, the curator is responsible for the group's participation in social, sports, and scientific events at the level of the department, the university, the region, and the whole of Russia.
The events held at the International Faculty are organized in close cooperation with official representatives of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China, Consulate General of Mongolia in Irkutsk, which gives an additional motivation for students to prove their skills, talents, successes and achievements. Potential employers are also invited to join the jury of the competitions: heads of companies working with China, representatives of linguistic centers in Irkutsk.
The Chinese Consulate, in turn, annually invites the best Chinese and Russian students to an official celebration in honor of the Chinese New Year.
The versatile activity of the International Faculty is reflected in the annual special issues of the newspaper “Bulletin of the International Studies Department”.
Only witnesses and those who stood at the origins can recall the history of the current Department of International (formerly Russian-Chinese) Studies, the stages of its formation and development. That is why it was impossible not to turn to the first dean, Tatiana A. Prutskikh, who was the ideological inspirer of the creation of our department and can tell about it as no one else can.
In the scale of history and the rapid dynamics of modern life, 10 years is a short period of time, but for a single person, department, and university it is a rather long, important, and significant period. The timeliness and accuracy of Rector Mikhail A. Vinokurov's decision to create the Russian-Chinese department, made in September 2012, is confirmed by the current geopolitical situation. Today the relations between Russia and China are at an unprecedentedly high level of comprehensive strategic partnership. A panoramic view of bilateral relations demonstrates the uniqueness of such a format of interstate connections. The close cooperation between the two countries covers the whole range of issues - trade and economy, finance and investment, agriculture and infrastructure, science and technology, education and humanitarian exchanges, military and international relations.
Universities make their undoubtedly significant contribution to the development of Russian-Chinese cooperation in education. In the conditions of global integration processes in the modern educational space of Russia and China, the forms and content of international university cooperation are changing. One of the radical new directions is joint educational programs of double degree. Such innovative forms of interdepartmental, interdepartmental, interuniversity and international cooperation were the basis for the establishment of the Russian-Chinese Department.
It would be proper to start the history of the RCD in 1989, when the Department of World Economy welcomed the decision to start studying Chinese as a second foreign language; in 1998 the status of the Chinese language changed and it became the first foreign language; and in 2012 international educational programs in Chinese already appeared. RCD united three departments of the university: the Russian-Chinese Department, which implemented programs for Russian students; the International Department, where foreign citizens, mostly from the China, studied; and the Preparatory Department, which prepared foreigners for Bachelor's and Master's degree programs. We were thinking about what name to give to the new department, and since the main contingent was made up of Russian and Chinese students, it was decided to give the new unit a name - “Russian-Chinese Department”. At that time, the department had about 200 students, 12 teachers working at the Language Training Department, and two dual degree programs for Russian students in “World Economy” with Beijing University of Foreign Economics and Trade and “Organization Management” with Shenyang Polytechnic University. Later, new programs in “Law” and “Commerce” for Russian students and programs “World Economy”, “International Journalism”, “Banking and Finance” and “Tourism” for Chinese students appeared, a unique program for foreigners “Preparation for Master's Degree” was opened. In 2018, after serious preparation, the department opened a new bachelor's degree program “Russian as a Foreign Language”, focused primarily on Chinese students from the partner university - Manchurian Institute of Russian Language, and a master's degree program “Theory and Methodology of Teaching Russian as a Foreign Language”.
It is interesting to note that the first Chinese language teachers, who appeared at Baikal University in 1989, were assigned to the Department of Russian Language, then an independent Department of Oriental Languages was created within the Language Training Center, and in 2012 the Russian and Chinese language teachers united again at the Department of Language Training, fulfilling common tasks of training highly qualified personnel.
The teaching staff is formed gradually and thoroughly, it is the teachers, along with students, who are the key link in the educational process.
The RCD, now the International Department, has a strong team of like-minded professionals, people who are energetic, creative, daring and responsible.
Over the ten years of the department's existence, many wonderful traditions have developed. This is the faculty newspaper, which was created, first of all, for Chinese journalism students so that they could place their first publications in Russian. This is the annual international student scientific-practical conference “Russia and Asian countries: dialog of cultures (traditions and modernity)”, this is the “Interregional competition on business Chinese language” for Russian students and “Olympiad on the Russian studies” for foreign students. These are various events that help to study the language and culture of Russia and China more deeply. It is the friendly family atmosphere of mutual help and support, the value and importance of each student and teacher, setting and achieving the most ambitious goals and objectives that are the main features of the department.
Another extremely important aspect of the International Department's work is its responsible mission of promoting international cooperation - interaction with foreign partner universities, organizations and companies. Work with documents in foreign languages, translation, business etiquette, politeness and tolerance are important principles and content of work of all participants of the organization of the educational process. We would like to express our gratitude to the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China and the Consulate General of Mongolia in Irkutsk for their support and assistance in solving many issues.
The best proof of the department's performance is the success of its graduates - many RKF graduates have successfully completed master's degree programs in Russia and China, continue their postgraduate studies, and work in large public and private companies. After completing her Master's degree in China, Julia Nazina, an RCD graduate, is now working in the department, and it's an indicator of the university's effectiveness when graduates return to their alma mater for further work!
Dear colleagues, dear students and graduates of the Russian-Chinese Department! I heartily congratulate everyone on the first anniversary - the 10th year anniversary! I wish my dear department further prosperity, stable development, new successes and achievements in educational, scientific and international activities. May the won positions and competitiveness in the market of educational services be strengthened, good traditions be preserved and multiplied, promising projects be realized and large-scale professional tasks be solved, the names of talented teachers, students and graduates be recognized! May the achieved heights contribute to the conquest of new peaks! Strong health, endless optimism, bright ideas, peace, kindness and prosperity!
With respect and appreciation,
Tatiana A. Prutskih