Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Elena Kaverina, a candidate of medical sciences and associate professor in the Department of Public Health, Healthcare, and Hygiene at the RUDN University Institute of Medicine, won this year's Golden Names of Higher Education All-Russian competition in the category "For the Development of International Cooperation in Higher Education." We decided to speak with the educator to learn what this award means to her, the challenges facing scientists and teachers in the international arena today, and the international projects she has worked on at our university.
What initially inspired you to develop international cooperation? Was there a key moment or project that served as a starting point?
Several factors came together here. I grew up at RUDN University—training as a doctor, pharmacist, translator, residency, graduate school, scientific clubs, the international dance ensemble "Rhythms of Friendship," in which I actively performed for 13 years… And now I'm an associate professor, teaching classes for students not only in Russian but also in English. Working at RUDN University itself immerses you in an international environment. Students from all over the world, colleagues with diverse backgrounds—it's impossible to remain isolated. And then came my first international internships—in Portugal, the Czech Republic, and Romania. I saw how their healthcare and education systems worked, and I became interested in what I could apply from that experience here. Then came interactions with colleagues from other countries: India, China, the UAE, and others. And, of course, running a family business in pharmaceuticals showed me that the most interesting solutions often emerge where different views and approaches collide. That's how it all began—with simple curiosity and a desire to build bridges.
What does the award you received in the competition mean to you?
For me, it's a very important and personal symbol. This isn't just about me. It's recognition of the work of our entire large team: my students from all over the world who stayed up all night preparing projects, my colleagues in the department and medical school, and the members of our student and professional association, "Healthcare Organizers and Leaders." Incidentally, our association, which I lead, includes students from over 40 countries. This means we collaborate internationally every day, 365 days a year. Incidentally, our professional association has already won the university's best PSO competition twice. This year, we also won the Golden Brick award from the RUDN University Student Council, and the student research club, "Healthcare Organizers and Leaders," won the university's best SNC competition. And, of course, none of this would have been possible without my mentor, not just my supervisor, Anna Vladimirovna Fomina. She has become a role model for me, including in my work in an international environment. The award signifies that our path—creating an international ecosystem for training competitive specialists—is in demand and supported at the highest level. It's a great honor and a responsibility for the future, and now we must live up to it.
What are the main challenges facing scientists and educators in the international arena today? How do you overcome them?
What challenges do we face? There are many. The political situation, of course, makes its own adjustments. The different bureaucracies in different countries are a constant headache. And simply knowing English is often not enough; you need to understand the cultural context and mindset of your partners. How do we cope? We try to be flexible. We have an excellent international service at our medical institute and a wonderful deputy director for international activities, Yulia Shamilevna Gushchina. We are currently actively developing cooperation with BRICS countries, Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East—they are currently experiencing the greatest interest in working together. We rely on long-term agreements between universities, which helps us bypass many bureaucratic obstacles. And, of course, we utilize digital technologies. Our online course "Medical and Social Research: Fundamentals of Statistical Analysis" is also a tool for international cooperation, accessible from anywhere in the world. And of course, informal communication in our student associations plays a huge role; it is there that the most groundbreaking ideas for international projects are often born.
Please tell us more about one or two of your most notable international projects.
If we talk about specific projects, I would highlight several. The first is our joint MBA program “In Healthcare Management” with the Indian university – Asia-Pacific Institute of Management. We created a program where we combined Russian experience and Indian developments in management. I helped supervise this project on our part and taught such disciplines as “Hospital Management”. As a result, we have prepared several graduates of specialists who are now successfully working in international companies. Since 2022, we have been conducting a regular scientific seminar for students in English “The healthcare problems of the countries of the world”, and from 2024 also “Around the world medical travel”. These seminars are especially popular among students and young scientists. The trick of the seminar is that students from these countries talk about the health problems of countries. That is, we learn about hospitals in Zambia from Zambians, and about ambulances in Albania from Albanians. This is not just a scientific seminar, but a real intercultural exchange. This is something that you will never read in books, that you can only learn through personal communication. And a special pride for me is my many years of work as a moderator of the international conference on the Sustainable Development Goals. For four years, Deputy Director Yulia Gushchina and I have been moderating sections in the area of “Medicine” (SDG 3), where we manage to gather ministers, rectors and leading specialists from different countries on one platform. I also manage youth events at a conference on medical topics. Thus, our scientific seminar “The healthcare problems of the countries of the world” is also part of the “SDG 17” conference. We invite the winners of student scientific work competitions on medical topics to act as speakers, and invited guests of the event (leading representatives of the academic and medical community – rectors, chief doctors, employees of ministries and departments from around the world) will act as experts.
What do you see as the main trends and prospects for the development of international cooperation in higher education? What is the focus?
What should we pay attention to in international collaboration? Firstly, geography is changing, with promising directions now being the East and South. Secondly, the future lies, on the one hand, with digital formats: online courses, virtual labs, and remote research, while on the other, there's a growing desire for live communication and offline formats. Thirdly, collaboration is increasingly being built around global challenges—pandemics, cybersecurity in medicine, or environmental issues. And finally, short but intensive formats are becoming more popular—such as summer schools or hackathons, where teams from different countries solve a specific problem over a few days.
What advice would you give to young teachers and researchers who are just beginning to consider international recognition and collaboration? Where should they start?
I would advise my younger colleagues to start small, but do so regularly. Don't try to take on too much. Start by simply connecting with international students—help them adjust, offer to collaborate on a course project. This is invaluable experience. Organize your professional networking profiles so you can be found. Find a niche topic in which you're truly strong, and strive to become an expert in it. Participate in international events already taking place at the university—don't be shy about asking questions and networking. And be sure to develop soft skills: speaking, moderating discussions, and mentoring. This will help you become not just a participant but a leader in international projects. And most importantly, be open and don't be afraid to offer your ideas. Your energy and genuine interest are your most valuable asset.
On Higher Education Teacher's Day, we congratulate Elena Valerievna on her victory and wish her new professional achievements and exciting international projects!
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.