UNCP professors visit Siberia

Dr. Jose D’Arruda and Dr. Len Holmes recently visited Tomsk State Pedagogical University (TSPU) in Siberia Russia where they presented several seminars and lectures to the students of TSPU. The trip was supported through the Office of the Provost and the Office of International Programs on our campus.

“This was a really interesting and productive trip,” said D’Arruda.

“We gave several presentations and lectures, and the students there were really appreciative and attentive as we spoke through a translator.

“I was amazed that how, after the lectures, they not only clapped  their hands for us, but  many of them came up and wanted our autograph and email address.

“Several students wanted their pictures taken with us. Now if I only can get my students here at UNCP to be so spontaneous and uninhibited during my lectures here at UNCP,” said D’Arruda.

Tomsk is a city of universities and colleges. Of the approximately 500,000 people  who live in Tomsk, 100,000 are students. The people were very nice and friendly. The students at the university were extremely interested in knowing more about America and about how our students compared to them.

They were really interested  in knowing if there were teaching jobs here in America for science and math teachers, and what kind of salary our teachers here are paid. Many of the students expressed  an interest in visiting the USA to teach math and science.

Photo courtesy of Jose D’Arruda Dr. Jose D’Arruda (third from left) and Dr. Larry Holmes visit with faculty members from Tomsk State Pedagogical University (TSPU) in Siberia.

During the visit, a Memorandum of Understanding was developed between Tomsk State Pedagogical University and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. The parties agreed to initiate joint activities in the following directions:

Joint development of educational manuals in general physics written in the English and Russian languages with the purpose of new educational technologies development. Organization of an on-line Olympiad in physics for UNCP and TSPU students.

Studying the possibility of training of Russian students at TSPU in accordance with the educational programs for work at US schools as physics teachers. Studying the possibility of exchange programs for students, postgraduates and faculty members with the purpose to learn and develop of modern teaching methods of physics.

Support of joint scientific research activity of UNCP and TSPU students within the agreed programs.

“The Siberian people have placed a new awe of human kindness in my heart,”Dr. Holmes wrote. Professors, Deans and the University Rector warmly received us.

“I would strongly urge any of our students here at UNCP to consider spending a semester there,” said Dr. D’Arruda. In fact we presently have one of our students, Matthen Easterlin, who was extremely happy to work his spring semester at Tomsk.