A BRICS University in the works: Russia
May 15, 2015, 6:57 am

File photo: Educators turn the tassels for graduates at Zhejiang University, China [Xinhua]

“A large-scale event to establish a BRICS Network University has been planned for September, and in October, a BRICS Global University Summit will take place in Moscow,” said Russian Deputy Minister of Education and Science Alexander Klimov in St. Petersburg.

He was speaking at an international conference on “Education and global cities” being held in the Russian city from May14-15.

Demographic changes in BRICS mean the appetite for higher education is expanding quickly and providing a source of international postgrad students that the US and UK are currently exploiting.

“Over the course of the next month and a half we should agree on the fundamental structure of BRICS University so that in September, the BRICS Network University, endorsed by all members of the association, will be officially established,” Klimov said.

Both the UK and US universities are heavily dependent on the BRICS, especially China and India, for their international numbers. India, by 2024, will be home to the largest tertiary-aged population, numbering over 119 million.

The ‘BRICS Working Group on Education’, comprised of senior officials and ministers will meet on 25-26 June and later in November in Moscow to formulate the development of the proposed university.

The discussions ahead of the 7^th BRICS Summit in Russia is expected to highlight the critical role that education plays in creating a skilled workforce that meets the needs of industry in these emerging markets.

The BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – agreed to set up the $100 billion development bank last July, in a step toward reshaping the Western-dominated international financial system.

The BRICS Bank’s first president will take charge within the next ten days, said the Indian Finance Ministry on Thursday.

The Bank will have its headquarters in China with India holding its first rotating presidency.

Presidents Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Dilma Rousseff, Jacob Zuma and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet in Russia on 8-9 July to further consolidate ties within the bloc.

TBP