Signing of the Agreement on cooperation in the field of education and science and research between UP and North-Caucasus Federal University

On 12 October  the Agreement on cooperation in the field of education and science and research was signed between the University of Primorska, represented by the Rector Prof. Klavdija Kutnar, PhD, Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica (UP FTŠ Turistica), represented by the Dean Assist. Prof. Marijana Sikošek, PhD and the North-Caucasus Federal University – NCFU, represented by the rector Prof. Dmitrii Bespalov, PhD and Institute of Earth Sciences, represented by the director Prof. Dr. Belozerov Vitalii. Due to the present situation, the signing of the Agreement was organized as a ZOOM video conference.

The purpose of the Agreement is to establish a mutual cooperation in education and science and research in tourism, with the two fields facilitating development, good understanding and long-term international cooperation. The Agreement provides the foundation for the activities that are in the interest of both sides, i.e.: the exchange of experiences in the fields of education and science and research; the enhancement of the education process by facilitating mobility of the academic and research staff and students (Erasmus+, bilateral projects Slovenia – Russia and other sources of funding); and the cooperation in the execution of joint research and professional projects.

The cooperation between the two institutions has been established in 2019 when a students exchange program was organized as pa part of the bilateral Slovenia – Russia program. In 2020/2021 three new student mobility programs are approved as a part of the Slovenia – Russia bilateral program and the cooperation within the mobility program Erasmus+. The Academic exchange program is planned with the aim of the identification of the common research areas and project cooperation in the field of tourism.

Prof. Klavdija Kutnar expressed her appreciation to all who were engaged in the preparation of the agreement. She stressed the importance of the cooperation agreement as a solid base for the long term cooperation between UP and NCFU. Dr. Marijana Sikošek presented excellent results of the cooperation in the field of student mobility program in the previous studying year. She emphasized the need to continue the mobility program as well as joint research projects. Prof. Dmitrii Bespalov and Prof. Belozerov Vitalii expressed the willingness of the NCFU and the Institute of Earth Sciences to develop further this partnership also into other areas of education and research.