The Presidential Academy held the annual “Education and Culture French Salon of the Faculty for International and Regional Research”, organized by the International Cooperation Department and Russian-French Center for Education and Consulting of the Institute of Public Administration and Civil Service IPACS, RANEPA.
The annual event, traditionally timed to coincide with the International Day of Francophonie, was held at the RANEPA library and brought together professors, alumni, French and IPACS students, as well as lyceum students of the Academy. Many interesting events awaited the Salon participants: IPACS RANEPA performance choir, student International Club «IPACS InterClub» presentation, as well as a large interactive program – management fights, a quiz on the French cinema classics, many games in French with bright entertainment and surprises.
The main event of the meeting was the presentation of French diplomas from the Cote d’Azur University to graduates of the network program in international law. Graduates of the Higher School of Law IPACS RANEPA and the Russian Foreign Trade Academy (RFTA) completed their studies under the program “Legal and financial specialty (program with advanced level of foreign languages and European organizations law)” and got the opportunity to work in the legal field in Russia and France.
Opening the solemn event, acting IPACS RANEPA Director Ruslan Korchagin emphasized that the event was the result of the effectiveness of multi-level partnerships: “Honoring our children is possible today thanks to joint investments in educational and cultural cooperation of the Presidential Academy, the All-Russian Academy of Foreign Trade, and educational organizations of the Republic of France. Thanks to this well-coordinated work and a high culture of partnership, a high-quality platform has been built for the further development of educational programs.” The head of the institute especially noted the industriousness and students curiosity who overcame the language barrier and studied in France, expressing confidence that the acquired knowledge and skills will be the key to their future success.
Elena Ponomarenko, director of the Russian-French Center for Education and Consulting, IPACS RANEPA, noted the uniqueness of the program and the colossal work of the guys who received diplomas from Russia and France: “All graduates went through a tough competition for admission and proved with serious work that they were selected deservedly. Today they have become specialists in demand on the international labor market.” The head of the Russian-French Center expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the French colleagues, despite the difficult situation in the world, fulfilling their obligations to students in full. Thus, today 51 students of the IPACS RANEPA continue their studies at the University of Nice, and this reliability of professional and friendly ties undoubtedly contributes to the development of positive interaction between our countries.
Dean of the Higher School of Law of the IPACS RANEPA Oleg Zaitsev recalled the concept that formed the basis of the program 5 years ago. Its organizers realized the importance of training specialists capable of solving state problems at the international level: “Professional lawyers have repeatedly noted that foreign specialists represent Russia in international legal conflicts and litigations. Why can’t we do it on our own? Due to insufficient understanding of the foreign legal system or poor knowledge of a foreign language, mental discrepancies? The program “International Legal Profile (with in-depth study of a foreign language and the law of European organizations)” fills these gaps by educating a new generation of lawyers who have a deep knowledge of both Russian and French law and a good understanding of the mentality of their future business partners.
Karolina Sikirinskaya, “French Salon” moderator, Head of the International Cooperation Department IPACS RANEPA, spoke about the history of the event, which began in 2014 at the Faculty for International and Regional Research. In 2022 was decided to expand the event format by adding an interactive program. Karolina Sikirinskaya wished further professional growth to the graduates and thanked all colleagues, noting the high level of Presidential Academy interaction with the RFTA and French partners: “For all of us, the presentation of double diplomas is a huge event, especially in today’s complex geopolitical context, but science, education and culture must develop regardless of such stories. The internationalization of these areas must deepen despite all obstacles, and we need to carry out this important mission for the sake of the integration of different cultures, the development of youth and our common future”.
Tatyana Panova, Dean of the Faculty for International and Regional Research, who received economic and legal education in Russia and Sweden, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the educational and scientific sphere: “The formation of an international culture of partnership, in which we participate, opens horizons and changes our lives . We are moving in the right direction, and the main thing is not to deviate from the chosen path”.
A graduate of the program Lilia Semenova noted the fundamental and versatility of the knowledge acquired during the training. Lilia is engaged in legal consulting in the field of protection of Russian brands and the fight against counterfeiting and is now planning to enter the master’s program. Her fellow student Natalia Untila, who works at a notary, is already studying for a master’s degree and confirms that studying in the international law program has become a very important step in her career. Natalia plans to pass exams for licenses and join the International Union of Notaries.
