TOMSK, Feb 20 –
RIA Tomsk. About 70% of the students of
Tomsk State University (TSU) and Tomsk Polytechnic University (TPU) from near
and far abroad study in a remote format due to restrictions on entry to the
Russian Federation, academic mobility programs are also partially implemented
remotely, representatives of universities told RIA Tomsk.
Earlier it was
reported that in March 2020, many countries restricted air traffic due to the
threat of the spread of COVID-19. International students studying in Tomsk
received recommendations from the authorities of their countries to return home
and left Russia. In March, Tomsk universities switched to distance learning,
and in September the academic year began in a mixed format: some of the classes
were conducted remotely, and some were in intramural form. Many students were
unable to come to study in Tomsk due to closed borders.
According to
Izvestia, since February 16, Rospotrebnadzor has allowed foreign students to
return to study if they have a negative PCR test result for COVID-19. However,
many of them will not be able to come to Russia – so far only air borders are
open and not with all states.
"The
educational process is structured as follows: those who cannot come to Tomsk
study remotely, as it was in the fall semester. Those who are in Tomsk study in
a hybrid format together with other students... In total, Tomsk Polytechnic now
has more than 2.500 foreign students, of whom almost 800 are in Tomsk", – a
representative of TPU said.
According to the
press service of the university, academic mobility programs with foreign
universities continue to operate. In France, Great Britain, Italy, the Czech
Republic and other countries, 25 polytechnic students study on them since the
fall semester. In turn, 21 foreign students are currently studying at TPU on
such programs, but mainly in a distance format, while being in their home
country.
A similar
principle of work is in place at TSU.
"About 900
foreign students are on the TSU campus, and more than 2.000 foreign citizens
began their studies in the semester without settling in dormitories", – Director
of the TSU Centre for Joint Academic Programmes Olga Maslennikova told RIA
Tomsk.
The university
also continues to implement programs of academic mobility and double degree.
Student exchange in 2021 is carried out in a mixed form: at universities in
countries where departure is closed, and at universities where training takes
place online, students study remotely.
According to
federal media, today the entry of foreigners into Russia is regulated by
government decree No. 635-r. Students as a separate category are not mentioned
there and enter on a par with everyone else.