RUDN University has created a new technology for
exporting Russian education - "Cluster Approach". MPEI takes an
active part in this large-scale project.
The cluster approach is a set of normative,
scientific, informational, educational and socio-cultural practices carried out
in close cooperation with Russian and foreign partners to create new
educational, scientific, socio-cultural, information and communication products
aimed at achieving qualitative transformations in the activities of each
participant and the scientific and educational cluster as a whole.
The cluster approach unites the actions of
organizations at the regional level. Educational institutions, public services,
industrial companies and the private sector are provided with a single
communication platform for the implementation of regional projects. Training of
highly qualified personnel to meet the region’s needs is the main task of
implementation of economic development programs in the cluster countries.
On December 6, 2018, a memorandum on the formation of the Consortium of Russian
educational organizations for joint implementation of the cluster approach in
the field of science, education, industrial-educational partnership abroad was
signed by 14 Russian universities:
1. Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
2. National Research University "Moscow Power Engineering
Institute"
3. Russian University of Transport
4. Bauman Moscow State Technical University
5. Russian Chemical Technological University named after D.I.
Mendeleev
6. Ivanovo State University of Chemistry and Technology
7. Transbaikal State University
8. Ulyanovsk State Technical University
9. Altai State University
10.Chechen State Pedagogical Institute
11. Bratsk State University
12. Baikal State University
13. Dagestan State Technical University
14. Institute of Technology and Innovation Management in Kulyab (Republic
of Tajikistan)
The African cluster, of which
MPEI is an active participant, includes such countries as Angola, Gambia,
Namibia, Zambia, South Africa and Zambia.
The purpose of the African
cluster:
- Targeted training of highly
qualified specialists for industry.
- Formation of a cumulative
innovative, educational and research product, allowing training highly
qualified specialists - individuals capable to compete in the constantly
changing conditions of the international market.
Within the cluster, MPEI plans
to emphasize the implementation of energy-related projects. Energy specialties
are in demand in any country. For developing countries, the most urgent issues
are the use of renewable energy sources. The Institute of Hydropower and
Renewable Energy (IHRE), the only one in the Russian Federation, is operating in MPEI. Ioint
projects with African universities are being developed at this Institute.
Among the positive examples of
the development of joint educational programs, last year we signed an agreement
on joint scientific supervision of Ph.D.-students with the North-West
University in South Africa. The program involves bilateral interaction: in
2018, 2 Ph.D.-students of MPEI were sent to this university for 1 semester to
conduct research. So far, the cooperation extends to hydrogen energy but it can
be expanded to other areas if there is mutual interest.
Visits to Africa
within the cluster showed a great demand for alternative and secondary energy
sources for energy development, including cold production, which is very
relevant for tropical climate.
One of the topical areas is work with TPP equipment exposed to salt
water, such as condensers in the heat cycle of TPPs cooled by sea wa