Bykov Yevgeny Vitalevich, Dean of SUSU Physical Education and Sports Faculty, and Ryazantsev Aleksander Vladimirovich, Associate Professor of Adaptive Physical Education and Biomedical Training Department, paid a visit to Saint Louis (Missouri, the USA) by invitation of Webster University Administration.
Webster University was founded in 1915; it has about 22 thousand students, including branches in several countries (England, Holland, Austria, Switzerland, China, Thailand) and in more than 60 cities in the U.S. using distance learning technologies.
The meetings with the University Authorities were held: with the President of the University Elizabeth J. Stroble, Provost and Senior Vice President Julian Z. Schuster and Head of International Department G. Chapman.
"We welcome the opportunity to cooperate with South Ural State University, which is notable for high level of scientific development, for the benefit of both institutions. We can expect an exchange of teaching staff and ideas that will contribute to the promotion of universities in the field of international cooperation" - said the President of Webster University Elizabeth J. Stroble.
Possible exchanges of students, postgraduates and professors, organization of internships, “double degree” programs (Master’s Programs) were positively solved.
According to the Vice-President Julian Z. Schuster “this significant partnership strengthens our science and technology, will be another important area for organization of the educational activities abroad." The possibility of publishing a new edition of monograph of Chelyabinsk group of scientists at Webster University was confirmed. David C. Wilson, Dean of College of Arts and Natural Sciences, believes that this study provides the opportunity of exchanges and internships between two faculties in such fields as psychology and biology.
The possibility of joint research on topic "Psychophysiological development of children and adolescents with impact of increased intellectual loads" with professors M.R. Hulsiser (Department of Psychology and Social Sciences) and S. Schroeder (Department of Biological Sciences) was discussed. The professors told about campus, organization of recreational and sports activities, nutrition, sports facilities of the University, organization of medical monitoring of the students engaged in physical education and sports (Head of Athletic Training Department - Tom Hart).
The contacts with the heads of academic units responsible for training students in the fields of marketing, information technologies, journalism and MBA program were established. It was interesting to talk to S. Polgar, eighth world’s chess champion among women, about joint research in studying chess influence on the physiological and psycho-physiological state of the student players. Currently S. Polgar is the Head of a unique Webster University division - Institute for study of intellectual activity (SPICE), where leading world young chess players from the U.S., Vietnam, the Philippines and Germany, having received university grants are trained. For their part, SPICE American students and teachers showed interest not only in the scientific work of A.V. Ryazantsev, but also in his professional chess career - he is in the top ten list of the leading Russian players, international Grand Master. Mr. Ryazantsev became the world champion among children, youths and students, and is currently the coach of the women's national team of Russia, which won the World Chess Olympiad in 2012 in Istanbul. Due to this fact he is granted with the award of the highest coaching dignity of International Chess Federation FIDE.
Following the results of the visit, the cooperation agreement between SUSU and Webster University was signed.
Photo: G. Chapman, Y.V. Быков, А.V. Ryazantsev, J.Z. Schuster, N. Hellerud (photo is taken from the web site of Webster University).