Thursday, November 20, 2003
9:00

In attendance: Irina Tsvigoun, Elena Meteleva (Bajkalsky State University of Economics and Law, Irkutsk), Oleg Khomutov, Viktor Dmitriev (Polzunov Altai State Technical University, Barnaul), Murat Guzairov, Larisa Ismagilova (Ufa State Aviation Technical University, Ufa), Vladimir Likhobabin, Tatyana Malovichko (Khabarovsk State Academy of Economics and Law, Khabarovsk), Phil Davies (College of Further Education, Plymouth), Iona Evans (University of Luton, Luton), Lars Hassel, Hans-Erik Krokfors, Anna Samsonova (Abo Akademi University, Turku).

Guest: Monica Nylund, International Office at Abo Akademi University.

Discussion of the project activities and planned outcomes

The first-day discussion was devoted to the activities and planned outcomes of the project. The discussion began with Tatyana Malovichko’s (Project coordinator) presentation about what’s planned to be accomplished by the end of the project and how every participating institution is supposed to make its contribution. She then presented the list of the courses that Russian partners will develop during all three years of the project implementation paying special attention to the courses for the first year. During the discussion project participants made some changes in the original list. The issue of course and program accreditation was also discussed.

Discussion of the visits of the Russian academic staff to Europe

In order to ensure the effective work abroad it’s better if Russian universities have one person interpreting at every university in Europe. To make it possible participants agreed to reduce the period of academic staff stay abroad (from 3 weeks as it was stated in the project application to 2 weeks) in order to be able to bring from Russia one additional person for interpretation to every of Universities in Europe (totally 4 interpreters from Russia to Europe the first year). Then the participants decided on the period of academic staff visits from Russia to Europe.

Presentation by the Head of International Office

Ms. Monica Nylund at the International office at Abo Akademi University made a speech on the University’s international activities and ongoing projects. She also gave a small presentation of Abo Akademi University as one of Finland’s Swedish speaking universities.

Discussion of the Budget

Lars Hassel went through the budget to make sure that every participant has an idea how much money may be spent on every activity. Lars also mentioned that salaries for performing administrative and academic tasks were calculated basing on the EC average rates.
The reporting principles were also given additional attention. It was especially emphasized that project participants should keep the records of the project activities on date-to-date basis to make sure that when needed the quality reports are submitted to the EC on time.

Friday, November 21, 2003
10:00

Guest: Pr. Olle Anckar, vice-rector of Abo Akademi University

The discussion continued on issues that needed to be further clarified.

Pr. Olle Anckar made a short presentation of system of education in Finland as well as provided insight into historical background of Abo Akademi University, its structure, profile, prospects and plans for the future.

The meeting was adjourned at 13:00. It was decided that the next meeting will be next year in one of the universities in the UK.

Submitted,
Anna Samsonova
Project manager