Russia and Tadjikistan: Friendship and Cooperation

16:44, November 30, 2012

Parviz Asoev, Consul General of Tadjikistan in Ekaterinburg, appreciated the University’s high potential in the sphere of teaching Russian as a foreign language

The meeting of Rector Viktor Koksharov and the Consul General of Tadjikistan Parviz Asoev, which took place on 22 November 2012, was devoted to the development of cooperation between UrFU and universities of this Asian republic.

One of the possible areas for cooperation could be training specialists at the UrFU technical college, more cooperation projects as a part of the CIS Network University and teaching Russian as a foreign language to work migrants coming to Ekaterinburg.

“There is no secret that Russian is the second native language for Tadjik people”, the Consul General pointed out. “Most of our specialists got their secondary and higher education in the Soviet Union. Unfortunately, a lot was lost and there is still much to be done in this sphere”.

In October the State Duma passed a law on the obligatory knowledge of Russian for migrant workers engaged in consumer services, housing and community services and trade. According to the new law, starting from 1 December 2012 foreigners who would like to obtain a permit for working in these spheres will have to prove their fluency in the language or submit a document certifying that they have passed the TORFL (Test of Russian as a Foreign Language) at a licenced state educational institution.

The only licenced centre authorized to issue TORFL certificates in the Ural region is the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language of the Ural Federal University. According to Parviz Asoev, the authority of this Department is not to be questioned since UrFU is a renowned centre for teaching Russian language to foreigners.

The Chairman of the regional nonprofit organization “Society of Tadjik Culture “Somon”, and a member of the Advisory Council for Nationalities of Sverdlovsk Region Farukh Mirzoev asked Rector Viktor Koksharov to develop a scheme to train large numbers of migrants for taking the TORFL. It is expected that in spring there will be about 100,000 people coming to Ural – from all countries, not only Tadjikistan. Most of them will be going to Ekaterinburg and other cities of the Big Urals.

Viktor Koksharov said that the University is ready to help migrant workers and gave appropriate orders to the heads of the relevant university divisions.

“We are grateful to the University for support and understanding. All the best practices start here, at UrFU”,  - Farukh Mirzoev said. “I would particularly like to thank the UrFU leaders for creating perfect conditions for foreign students and for organizing the Peoples’ Friendship Spartakiad”.

“Students from Tadjikistan do well. They are hard-working and diligent”, - Viktor Koksharov said. UrFU Vice-Rector for Studies Sergei Knyazev confirmed his words by saying: “Three graduates from the Tadjik Technical University n.a. M.S.Osimi have been admitted to a Master’s degree programme at UrFU this year. They are keen learners and we provide them with good conditions”.

The Consul pointed out that establishing close contacts in education and culture is one of the key targets for the Consulate. The University’s high potential and the initiative of its leaders will guarantee the success of cooperation between UrFU and the Republic of Tadjikistan.