OREANDA-NEWS. In the beginning of February 2013 a group of lecturers from Murmansk State Technical University visited University of Tromso, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, to discuss a new joint project aimed to develop education and research in the field of the Barents Sea marine resources.

Those present at the meeting were:

MSTU

Maya Chechurina, Professor, Head of International Relations Department

Elena Shoshina, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Department of biology

Svetlana Petrova, Senior lecturer, Department of Economics, Institute of Economy, Management and International Relations

Kristina Brevnova, Principal specialist of International Cooperation Department, MSTU

UiT

Jorgen Schou Christiansen, Professor, Marine Biology, Institute of Arctic and Marine Biology, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics

Jorge Santos, Ass. Professor, Marine Biology, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics

Arne Eide, Professor, Institute of Econmics, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics

Jens Revold, Project coordinator, Norwegian College of Fishery Science, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics.

The named project was approved by the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU) which is a public Norwegian agency promoting international cooperation in education and research and granted financing for 4 years (2012 – 2015). Among the project activities are the following: development of two master courses English taught 10 credits each, organization of conferences and seminars, students and teachers mobility. The project provides opportunity for 3 MSTU students to receive a full scholarship in order to study at Masters programme in International Fisheries Management at the University of Tromso. First grant has already been given to 3 students who have left for their studies in August 2012. Second grant will be available in 2014.

Most attention during the meeting was drawn to the question of creation of two master courses, one in marine biology, harvest technology and aquaculture and the other – in fisheries management, social sciences and law, 10 ECTS each. Courses will be developed by MSTU lecturers with support and supervision from the Norwegian side and included in existing masters programmes at Murmansk State Technical University. Courses will be given in English and last 1 month each. Some of the lectures within the courses will be delivered by the academic staff of Tromso University. Exams at the end of the courses will be graded both by MSTU and University of Tromso.

Course in biology, harvest technology and aquaculture is supposed to be launched in autumn 2013. The course will be available both for Russian and foreign students. University of Tromso will assist in advertising the course among Norwegian and foreign students who come for an exchange period to Tromso University. More detailed information about the course will soon be published at MSTU and University of Tromso web pages.

The second course in fisheries management, social sciences and law is planned for the spring semester 2013. More detailed information about the course will appear at MSTU and University of Tromso web pages in autumn 2013.

Another activity planned within the project for the near future is a visit of lectures and master students from University of Tromso to Murmansk in the middle of March 2013. They will take part in one of the sections within annually held International scientific conference "European North: Innovative approach in marine resources development (education-science-industry)".