DIT signs cooperation agreement with St. Petersburg FinEc University

Rector of St. Petersburg State Academy of Economics and Finance (FinEc),

Igor Maksimtsev,and Ms Marie O’Flynn, DIT, sign a cooperation agreement between the two institutions
 
Two colleagues from the Faculty of Business visited St. Petersburg last week to sign an historic agreement of cooperation between DIT and St. Petersburg State University of Economics and Finance (FinEc). FinEc is the premier university in Russia in the finance and economic disciplines, and DIT is the first Irish university-level organisation to sign such an agreement. Ms Marie O’Flynn and Valentina Tarkovska from the School of Accounting and Finance represented DIT and during their visit briefed senior academic staff and students on DIT and the range of taught programmes and research activities in the Business Faculty and throughout the Institute. The visit followed a round-table discussion in which Dr. Jim Hanly and Valentina Tarkovska participated at the Finance Academy in Moscow last October, and which resulted in a significant response to DIT from a number of premier universities in Russia.
 
The Irish Ambassador to Russia, Philip McDonagh, was present at FinEc during the visit, and addressed students and staff at the invitation of the President of the University, Professor Leonid Tarasevich. Ambassador McDonagh took up his position in Russia last summer, and in his inaugural address to the University he spoke about issues of mutual strategic interest to Russia and Ireland, such as academic cooperation, security in the context of the EU, and tourism. Noting that St. Petersburg is the fourth largest city in Europe, he said the city has always had a tradition of looking towards western Europe, particularly in terms of trade. Speaking about DIT, he praised the Institute to his Russian audience and encouraged the future cooperation between the two organisations. The event was covered on the evening television news in St. Petersburg, which featured a detailed interview with the Ambassador.

Ambassador Philip McDonagh, Irish Ambassador to Russia

Ms Marie O’Flynn signed the Agreement of Cooperation on behalf of DIT, and Professor Dr Igor A Maximtsev signed on behalf of FinEc, witnessed by Ambassador McDonagh and Mr. Anatoly Shashin, Ireland’s Honorary Consul in St. Petersburg. At a briefing with heads of School in FinEc the following day, Ms O’Flynn and Ms Tarkovska identified areas of mutual interest, including research opportunities and exchange opportunities for staff and students.

Ms Marie O’Flynn presenting Ireland’s (and DIT’s) value proposition to faculty members at FinEc

Getting their bearings in St. Petersburg

Ambassador McDonagh speaking to journalists

 
 

 
 
President of FinEc, Professor Tarasevich (far right)  and Ambassador McDonagh (centre)  with Marie O’Flynn and Valentina Tarkovska, DIT.  Also pictured, Mr. Igor Maksimtsev, Rector, FinEc, Mr. Anatoly Shashin, Irish Honorary Consul, Irina Vostrikova, translator, and Dmitry Vasilenko, Vice Rector on international affairs, FinEc.
 
 

 
Rector Igor Maksimtsev, FinEc and Ms Marie O’Flynn, DIT, shake hands on the cooperation agreement signed between the two institutions