Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Students from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University embarked on an educational trip to the Russian-Armenian University in Yerevan. The program included classes in relevant subjects, a meeting with faculty and the RAU rector, and a rich cultural program.
SPbPU students were introduced to current approaches to developing tourism and service in an international context. They studied relevant subjects at the Russian Agrarian University, working in classrooms alongside their Armenian colleagues. On the first day, classes were held on "International Tourism," which examined global trends and regional specifics, and "Introduction to the Specialty," which compared the educational trajectories of the two countries. The program then included lectures on destination management (DMO) and place branding, exploring models for coordinating tourist flows and tools for creating place brands. The students also attended a class on "Quality Management," which focused on service standardization and customer satisfaction assessment methods. The students explored topics such as tourism organization, geo-innovations in tourism, and public relations, which enabled them to further refine tourism product design, as well as the use of digital technologies and PR communications. The outcome was an expanded practical toolkit and an understanding of the role of modern technologies in enhancing the competitiveness of projects.
A separate professional component of the trip included the participation of SPbPU students and faculty in a roundtable discussion organized by the Department of Tourism and Services at RAU. Armine Aghajanyan, Head of the Department of Tourism and Services at RAU, moderated the discussion, which focused on leadership and innovation in the service sector. The keynote speakers were Aida Tukhbatullina, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Tourism and Services at RAU, and Alexandra Turieva and Victoria Sheleiko, Senior Lecturers at the SPbPU Higher School of Service and Trade. During the expert discussion, the parties exchanged experiences in developing educational programs and service practices, discussed innovative approaches to team management in the service industry, and shared their opinions on future joint projects.
A meeting was organized for the SPbPU delegation with Edward Sandoyan, Rector of the Russian-Armenian University. He warmly welcomed the guests and thanked the students for their interest in studying at RAU and their willingness to participate in international programs. The students expressed their gratitude for the warm welcome and hospitality. The meeting took place in a constructive and friendly atmosphere, emphasizing the universities' shared commitment to strengthening their partnership and expanding opportunities for students from both countries.
The trip to RAU was both eventful and extremely useful for SPbPU students. The classes helped them broaden their professional horizons, gain insight into international specialist training, and strengthen their interest in their future careers. The cultural program added to the experience and lent an atmosphere of genuine inter-university dialogue. The students noted that their week in Yerevan was very interesting and informative, leaving behind warm memories.
The trip to RAU not only provided the students with new knowledge but also a broader understanding of the industry through international experience. The visit demonstrated that SPbPU and RAU have many points of contact—both in their educational approaches and their understanding of industry challenges. The students returned with new competencies and vivid impressions, and we came away with concrete ideas for expanding our joint initiatives. "We see great potential for cooperation with RAU and are confident that this trip will lay the foundation for further exchanges and joint educational projects," noted Alexandra Turieva, Deputy Director for International Affairs at the Higher School of Service and Trade.
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