Working Group on Higher Education

1. Working Group on Higher Education Moscow, November 15, 2011

2. Higher Education: Overview The Higher Education working group promotes a wide array of initiatives in the sphere of higher education between Russia and the United States that contribute to the development of civil society. It encourages projects that: • involve multiple parties in the United States and Russia where there can be genuine partnerships and reciprocal cooperation, • enhance cooperation between institutions of higher education, • engage university students and other young citizens in projects and research, • cross-fertilize with areas of other working groups in the Civil Society Partnership Program (such as Migration, Community Development, Gender, Health, Environment, Youth, Child Protection, Media etc.). Projects should be sustainable, where appropriate, but also organic in that they are not dependent upon grant support for all activities. Particpation should be gender inclusive.

3. The University as a Civic Actor: The Socially Engaged University Universities do not simply serve places of classroom education and research; they are actors and facilitators that engage in a wide array of social and socially entrepreneurial activities. Proposals may focus on: • Community and regional development, including social and economic projects; • Student-centered activities, including service learning, volunteering, and internship opportunities; • Projects which focus on gender and inclusiveness; • Leadership education and training in social entrepreneurship.

4. Network-to-Network Cooperation in Higher Education Joint projects that form or enhance partnerships between networks of higher education institutions or related associations in Russia and the United States. Proposals may focus on (but are not limited to): • associations of colleges and universities, • student and professional associations, • unions and service networks.

5. Current US/Russian Higher Education Projects: Researchand Analysis There is a multitude of collaborative projects between Russia and the US, but there is a dearth of information about their scope and effectiveness. We propose projects that identify and analyze bilateral, institution-to-institution partnerships, including: • dual and joint degree programs, • joint research projects, • faculty and student exchanges. Results should be publicly disseminated to underline challenges, highlight best practices, and promote awareness of opportunities.

6. Closing Thoughts • Higher education, through activities like public events (talks, seminars, conferences) and service learning, can work with nearly all of the other CSPP groups. • There are relatively low-cost ways of having impacts (publicizing and evaluating best practices). • The Higher Education Working Group intends to continue to meet, participate in and ‘sponsor’ a variety of events in the US and Russia (and perhaps third countries). We hope to support and be engaged with recipients of CSPP funds, including with other CSPP groups, but also with many of the worthwhile projects that do not receive direct funding through CSPP. • We hope to continue work with Obama-Medvedev Commission where appropriate.

7. Higher Education THANK YOU