Abstract:

The article review and analyze forms of international student mobility and methods of it’s governmental support in the Russian Federation. Article reviews the existing international and national ratings in Russia which include assessment of university academic mobility as a part of methodology. Authors offer integral classification of international student mobility forms including following criteria: purpose, period, institutional form, integration in curriculum. According to this classification the article systematizes existing approaches to student mobility implementation and instruments of its support in the Russian Federation in comparison with international practice. Current statistics is provided. It shows that incoming degree mobility is significantly more developed in comparison with other types of student mobility because it gains specific governmental support as a part of Russian export strategy. Potential of short-time mobility is underestimated and lacks relevant mechanisms of support for credit mobility and joint programs. Article offers the most important trends in the field of student mobility support and development in the Russian Federation which include the development of mechanism of Russian Government scholarship for international students, special rules for international students admission to Russian universities, implementation of federal program for support of export of Russian higher education which includes the development of network of university centers to support incoming mobility, the implementation of federal program “Open Education” aimed at boosting outgoing degree mobility, development of incentives for Russian universities to increase the support for international student mobility, development of international network universities and affiliated branches of Russian universities abroad, governmental support for teaching Russian language worldwide.

Authors point out the state regulations which is needed to eliminate existing barriers and steps that could be made by universities to balance different types of student mobility as a part of their strategy of internationalization. Particularly it is necessary to extend the network of partner institutions in the regions, introduce modular system in teaching process, create internationally recognized and competitive courses in English medium in the fields of engineering, humanities and natural sciences. It is also necessary to improve infrastructure and social support of international students at the universities.

Keywords:

Student mobility, scholarship, network university, state educational policy, export of higher education, internationalization strategy.