Russia-Germany Cross-Year

12:44, March 14, 2014

Ural Federal University will become the co-organizer of events dedicated to the Year of the German Language and Literature in Russia

The General Consul of Germany Andreas Klassen visited Ural Federal University. During the meeting much attention was paid to the important cultural event of year 2014, the cross-year of the Russian language and literature in Germany and the German language and literature in Russia. The Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel suggested organizing such an event last year in June at the meeting with the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The opening of the Year of the German language and literature in Russia will be held in Moscow in September, after the opening ceremony the series of large-scale events will be held in the regions. The literary readings and a symposium on German-Russian relations will take place in Ekaterinburg, during the symposium the most pressing and important issues of cooperation between the two countries will be discussed. The question about organizing a conference for teachers of the German language from around the Ural region is also under active discussion. Ural Federal University will participate in the preparation and conducting of these events.

During the meeting of Andreas Klassen and Victor Koksharov discussed the question about the participation of German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the International Strategic Council of UrFU Competitiveness Enhancement Program was also touched upon. The Council will include politicians, economists, scientists of federal and world levels. The task of the Council is to develop the most effective methods that will let Ural Federal University enter the top 100 universities in the world by 2020. The establishment of such councils is an important part of the federal program, aimed to enhance global competitiveness of Russian universities. It is expected that an honored doctor of Ural Federal University Frank-Walter Steinmeier will join the Council and will visit Ekaterinburg in 2014.

The General Consul of Germany in Ekaterinburg, Andreas Klassen, praised the work of Ural Federal University at the international level and expressed confidence that the Competitiveness Enhancement Program implemented in the university can bring great benefits. "I fully agree that Ural Federal University is among 15 universities that develop within a specific program. This program is similar to the program Excellence Initiative, which is implemented in Germany. It’s good, that Russia is going down this path. And I think it is right that Viktor Koksharov aims to internationalize the university. Today, in a globalized world, it is very important, "- said Andreas Klassen .