Second General Conference of the BRICS Network University

14:01, July 7, 2017

Representatives of member universities and partner institutions gathered in Zhengzhou to discuss achievements and future plans for the BRICS NU

On July 1-3, 2017, the North China University of Water Conservancy and Electric Power, Zhengzhou, China) hosted the Second General Conference of the BRICS Network University, which gathered representatives of the member universities as well as experts of partner institutions. Russia was represented by 10 universities, members of BRICS NU. The delegation was headed by the President of the Russian National Coordinating Committee of BRICS NU, UrFU’s Vice-Rector for International Relations Maxim Khomyakov.

The conference included plenary sessions, where the participants analyzed the major achievements and problems of the BRICS NU’s activities, meetings of six thematic groups of BRICS NU, meeting of the BRICS NU International Governing Board, and a roundtable meeting of the Rectors of BRICS NU.

The presenters of the plenary meetings addressed the goals and tasks set before the BRICS NU in the context of the current state of the world’s higher education. A special attention was paid to understanding of the educational cooperation between the BRICS countries as an alternative to the existing structure of the global educational market. The reports also analyzed the special characteristics of different educational systems of the BRICS countries.

At the thematic groups’ meetings, the participants considered the proposals made by the member universities concerning development of joint Master and Doctoral programs, and designed a plan for approval of the programs by the thematic groups. It is expected that 7 such programs will be available for enrolment in 2017.

The BRICS NU International Governing Board discussed the most important aspects of the Network University’s operation. The Board members signed the Statements on the International Governing Board and the International Thematic Group, designed the final note of the Conference – the “Zhengzhou Consensus”, and approved the work plan for the IGB for 2017-2018.

As a conclusion, after signing the “Consensus”, the South African delegation invited the participants to the Third General Conference of the BRICS Network University, which is to take place in 2018 in Cape Town.