Russian culture and language education
Funded by Euregio Karelia Neighbourhood Programme 2001-2006

Objective of the project

The intention of the project was to meet educational needs by designing, implementing and organising a Master's programme in the Russian culture and language at the University of Oulu. The aim was that the education programme would be accepted as a part of the degree objectives of the University of Oulu and thus included in the basic financing granted by the Ministry of Education.

Main activities

• Designing a curriculum for the Master's programme in the Russian culture and language • Creating a study material, • Implementing an education course

Achievements

A curriculum was designed for the Master's programme in the Russian culture and language in accordance with the plan and was implemented as an education experiment in accordance with education transfer principles, based on the learning material designed in the project. The target of the education was that the students would acquire a deep knowledge of Russian culture, language and teaching as well as education work, so that they have the capabilities to work as consultants and transition agents, particularly in pedagogical but also in cultural and other applicable societies and organisations. 21 people were elected for the education course. Altogether 20 students signed in as present, 7 of whom were studying for a degree, and the remaining students had primarily wanted to study the Russian culture and language on the academic level. Three of the students studying for a degree graduated during the project. Degrees based on studies during the project will also be completed after the end of the project, hence the final total of completed degrees through the aid of the project will only be available later. 12 students in the programme completed the intermediate studies in the Russian culture and language (35 study weeks) and two completed the basic studies in the Russian culture and language (15 study weeks). Considering the selection criteria of the students, the number of completed study weeks is satisfactory, though restrictive selection might have produced more degrees. The actual choice of courses can be considered good and interesting, and based on this it will be possible to develop an interesting international Master's programme. The education experiment created the basis for development work of Russia-based education in Kajaani. An initiative was made in connection with the project with the Master's programme of the Cultural Industry (transition education financed by the European Social Fund) about starting an additional group in the international, multi-sectoral Master's programme of Cultural Industry and Pedagogy in Kajaani and acquiring permanent resources for the programme. Linking the new Masters' programme with the Master's programme in Cultural Industry can be considered a significant content-related innovation. Negotiations about the degree administration and the major subject took place with several different universities during the project, but during the project no concrete results were achieved in the negotiations. The activities of the project added to the knowledge of Russia in the region.