Support of the International Students Studying Earth Sciences at Mining Region University

Abstract

Being the leading coal mining region in Russia, Kuzbass has significant experience in training specialists in geology, mining industry, ecology and nature management. Therefore, the states-partners of Russia such as Tajikistan, Kirgizia and Uzbekistan are interested in training their specialists for mining industry at Kuzbass universities. In accordance with the Russian state policy for internationalization of Russian higher education it has resulted in sharp increasing of the number of international students at the universities of Kuzbass. A survey of the international students’ attitudes carried out at Kemerovo State University, the leading regional university, indicates the necessity to arrange their sociocultural and educational support aimed at their socialization and sociocultural adaptation to the conditions of educational environment of the university. The main principle of sociocultural and educational support of international students is based on the consolidation of different university departments in their organization of educational, scientific, cultural events to create favorable conditions for sociocultural adaptation of international students and their successful achievements in higher education programmes. Moreover, students’ intercultural communication promotes business relationships with representatives of the leading coal mining countries.