Vladimir Kochin: At Varna Free University they know very well how to achieve high quality education, and these aren’t mere words but actions.
A delegation from the Russkiy Mir Foundation, headed by the Foundation’s CEO Vladimir Vyacheslavovich Kochin, visited Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. During the visit a meeting was held with the Director of the Russian Centre, Assoc. Prof. Galina Shamonina, PhD, where the participants discussed the centre’s forms and methods of work, the specifics of teaching Russian as a foreign language and the interaction with the Russian Centres in other countries.
The delegates were very much impressed with the Russian Centre at Varna Free University “Chernorizets Hrabar”. This is the first Russian Centre in Bulgaria and on the Balkan peninsula whose work and experience is studied by other Russian Centres over the world.
High esteem was expressed for the support the university’s academic management, and personally Prof. D.Sc. Anna Nedyalkova, give to the initiatives of the Russian Centre and to the continuation of the good relations and partnerships with Russia in the field of science and education.
As Mr. Kochin puts it: “At Varna Free University they know very well how to achieve high quality education, and these aren’t mere words but actions.”
The Director of the Russian Centre, Assoc. Prof. Galina Shamonina, PhD acquainted the guests with the diverse activities of the Centre and with the upcoming events, dedicated to its 5th anniversary. Special emphasis was placed on the forthcoming VI International Qualification School “Modern Pedagogical Technologies in the Teaching of Russian as a Foreign Language”, which will welcome students in Russian Studies from over 9 European countries. The qualification school is traditionally part of the city’s academic calendar.
A lot of other topical issues were discussed at the meeting, which included the need to update the book and multimedia stock of the centre, the access to the databases of major Russian libraries, the insufficient number of new learning materials in Russian, the much needed assistance in organizing internships and placements for distinguished VFU students at Russian universities. A proposal was made suggesting that the Foundation should update the two programmes “Student of the Russkiy Mir Foundation” and “Professor of the Russkiy Mir Foundation”, so that the university is eligible for participation. The VFU hosts were given concrete answers to their questions and support by the Russkiy Mir Foundation was guaranteed for all initiatives of the Russian Centre at VFU.
The CEO of the Russkiy Mir Foundation wrote in the Centre’s guest book:
“With deep gratitude to the management of the university for their active and beneficial work at the Russian Centre for the promotion of the Russian language in Bulgaria.
What is special about this Russian Centre? Most importantly, the people who work here show sincerity and involvement. These are people who love Russia, love the Russian language, and look for new forms and ways of working.
I wish the Russian Centre, the students and the university lots of success!
Let the friendship between Bulgaria and Russia grow ever stronger!
CEO of Russkiy Mir Foundation”
