Top Russian university calls at UTAR

Five delegates from Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), one of the top five universities in Russia, visited UTAR Perak Campus for a groundbreaking meeting to discuss on collaboration between the two universities on 20 March 2013.

Established in 1899, FEFU is the top rated, oldest, and largest university of Eastern Russia. It has been ranked consecutively as one of the top five universities in Russia by the Russian Ministry of Education. FEFU is a national leader in developing relations with Pacific Rim countries, and a major bridge between Russian education and worldwide university society. It has more than 40 branches and 80 partnership projects, including 64 academic exchange programmes, with universities at the USA, Japan, People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan, Great Britain, France, Australia, Thailand, India, and Vietnam. It also has unique partnership projects with Ministries of many countries.

The five FEFU delegates were Vice Rector and Head of School of Engineering Prof. Aleksandr Bekker, Head of Faculty of Oil and Gas Engineering and Petrochemistry Prof. Alexander Gulkov, Director of Department of International Educational Admissions Dr Andrey Bobylo, Head of International Admissions Oksana Blazhilina, and Honorary Consul of Consulate of the Russian Federation Teoh Seng Lee. 

On hand to welcome the delegates were  UTAR Vice President (R&D and Commercialisation)Prof Ir Dr Lee Sze Wei, who represented President Ir. Prof. Academician Dato' Dr Chuah Hean Teik, Dean of Faculty of Business and Finance Prof Dr Choong Chee Keong, Dean of Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology Dr Yap Vooi Voon, Dean of Faculty of Information and Communication Technology Dr Liew Soung Yue, Dean of Faculty of Arts and Social Science Dr Cheah Phaik Kin and Deputy Dean of Faculty of Science (Academic Development and Undergraduate Programmes) Dr Gideon Khoo.

The representatives from both parties exchanged ideas on collaboration. Prof. Lee said he would like to see UTAR students undergo internship and exchange programme in Russia and quipped, "It would be thrilling for them to discover Russia during winter; the freezing temperature will be a great contrast to the hot weather in Malaysia."

Prof. Lee (left) welcoming (from right) Teoh, Oksana, Dr Andrey, Prof Alexander and Prof Aleksandr

Before the meeting (from left): Teoh, Prof Lee, Prof Aleksandr, Prof Alexander, DrAndrey, and Oksana

FEFU delegates at the meeting

Prof Aleksandr presenting

At the meeting (from left): Prof Choong, Dr Yap, Prof Lee and Dr Liew

After the meeting (from left): Dr Gideon, Dr Yap, Dr Liew, Prof Choong, Prof Lee, Prof Aleksandr, Prof Alexander, Dr Andrey, Teoh, Oksana and Dr Cheah