On March 22, 2016 an open discussion “108 Soft Power Elements of Russian Universities on the Internet” took place at the venue of the Valdai International Discussion Club. The discussion was devoted to the publication of the English version of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) report “Electronic Internationalization: English-Language Online Resources of Russian Universities.”
On March 22, 2016 an open discussion “108 Soft Power Elements of Russian Universities on the Internet” took place at the venue of the Valdai International Discussion Club. The discussion was devoted to the publication of the English version of the Russian International Affairs Council (RIAC) report “Electronic Internationalization: English-Language Online Resources of Russian Universities.”
In his opening speech RIAC Program Director Ivan Timofeev told the participants about the purposes, results and methodology of the research. Maria Besova, Editor-in-Chief of the HSE-University English-language website, which gained the lead in the ranking of electronic internationalization, noted that in its online activity HSE-University is seeking largely to promote transparency, as well as convenience and availability of tools to work with information. Apart from the content, visual presentation and navigation occupy a prominent place in the HSE website development.
“It’s important to build relationships with specific target audiences and provide them with comprehensive pinpoint data. This is the ticket to success in attracting foreign audiences,” said Maria Besova. Sofia Savinova, Head of Internet Resources Promotion Department of ITMO University, gave the benefit of successful high school experience in working with English-language library and news resources. Ido Nativ, communications expert at Skolkovo Science and Technology Institute, who took part in the open discussion, said: “Internet for our university is the most powerful marketing tool to present university achievements.”
The discussion covered such important issues as communication with the site audience and regular measurement of the user activity. Universities should pay particular attention to information on their academic teaching staff. Interviews with foreign students and graduates, as well as announcements of events contribute much to creating and sustaining a positive image of the university. RIAC plans to update the electronic internationalization ranking by the end of the year.
Valdai Discussion Club hosted talks on problems in promoting Russian universities
