Tomsk State Pedagogical University

Continuous – based international programmes

Erasmus Mundus Academic Mobility Programme

This programme (250 scholarships per Consortium) is aimed at development of academic mobility of students, post-graduate students and doctoral researchers between European and Russian universities. Students, post-graduates and doctoral researchers can partake in short-term (from 1 to 34 months) training or research at any University of the Consortium on any discipline. The amount of the grant depends on the programme and covers different expenses including insurance and travel to the place.

The list of European members of Consortium:

Complete information about the grant is on the site of the head university of Consortium

Cultural Immersion Projects

Cultural Immersion Project is realized since 2004 in cooperation with Indiana University, USA. Within the project students of American universities do pedagogical practical work at Tomsk schools together with TSPU students. As a rule, they live with families of TSPU students.

Cultural Immersion Projects are founded by Pedagogical Education Board at Indiana University. The project offers the alternatives to traditional teaching of students; the project participants choose themselves one of the two variants for perfecting their professional experience, connected with the participation in social life and study of culture:

  1. National project - assignment of students - trainees in the reservation of indigenous American population into educational institutions where indigenous American youth study, as a rule, into the reservation of Indian tribe Navaho in the south-western part of the USA (Arizona, New Mexico, Utah);
  2. Overseas project - assignment of students - trainees (by their choice) into one of 11 receiving countries, after teaching (during as a minimum 10 weeks) in the state Indiana. Receiving countries: Australia, Costa Rica, England, India, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Scotland, Spain, Taiwan, Wales and Russia (since 2004).

Cultural Immersion Projects at Indiana University have worked for more then 30 years and have already trained about three thousands students - trainees through the programme. The foreign project particularly raised its status for the past years, and in 2001 received the award for the best practical activities in the world and international pedagogical education, adjudged by American Association of Pedagogical Education Colleges. Before assigning to foreign universities there is a preliminary stage for one year, during which the participants of the project study educational systems of the receiving country, its culture, historical and contemporary facts and problems. Upon arrival the participants should stay for eight whole weeks at the appointed educational institution (university or school) and take part in the development of academic programmes and out-of-school activities. In addition they are going to study and take an active part in a social life of the university and school and also to make comprehensive reports with the emphasis on the received new knowledge and experience.

Photo: Student of Indiana University at school № 29: Elizabeth McGowan

Exchange programmes for students, graduate students and faculty members with Wroclaw University (in cooperation with the Polish Center, TSPU)

Exchange programmes have been realized in accordance with the Agreement of cooperation between TSPU and Wroclaw University since 2002.

The programme consists of 2 parts:

  • summer schools of the Polish language at Wroclaw University and the Russian language at TSPU;
  • TSPU students training at Wroclaw University and Polish students training at TSPU for 1-2 terms.

At TSPU students are selected on the competitive basis, by the recommendations from Deans’ offices. Annually 10-12 TSPU students were granted scholarships povided by the Polish part. Before leaving for Poland the students take classes in the Polish language at the Polish Center, TSPU.

Exchange programmes for students and graduate students with Hiroshima University, Japan

The programmes are realized in accordance with the Agreement of cooperation between TSPU and Hiroshima University on the competitive basis. Annually in December 1 or 2 places for TSPU are offered for participation in theHUSA programme. Candidates must provide an International Exam Certificate in the English Language or Certificate in the Japanese Language. Detailed information is available at Hiroshima University Representative Office, Office 238, TSPU building one.

Photo: student Diana Shendrokiva (in the middle, wearing kimono) and her host family in Hiroshima.

Exchange programmes for students and graduate students with Ochanomizu University, Japan.

The programmes are realized in accordance with the Agreement of cooperation between TSPU and Ochanomizu University, Japan on the competitive basis. Stay in Japan lasts from 3 months up to 1 year.

Photo: TSPU postgraduate and student at OchanomizuUniversity, Japan: Julia Shaido, Maria Chernikova

Programme of Cooperation with University of North Carolina at Pembroke, (UNCP), USA

Agreement of cooperation with University of North Carolina at Pembroke includes exchange of faculty members and students, exchange of experience in physics teaching, publications in scientific journals of the universities and mutual research in microbiology. The distant Internet-Olympiads in physics between the students of the both universities are held.

In accordance with the Agreement between TSPU and University of North Carolina at Pembroke TSPU students taking distant courses and awarded certificates of UNCP are released from the corresponding courses at TSPU.

The Programme of cooperation with United Nations Institute for Training and Research, Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific (UNITAR HOAP)

Cooperation with UNITAR HOAP includes:

  • informing people, organizations and institutions of the Asian part of Russia about UNITAR activities;
  • mutual development and approbation of adult learning methods;
  • assistance for TSPU in organizing UNITAR seminars in Russia.

The Representative Office of UNITAR HOAP at TSPU provides considerable assistance in information coverage of this activity. 14-15 June, 2007 at the Tomsk Atomic Center a round table moderated by Nassrine Azimi, the HOAP UNITAR Director was held. It was devoted to the problems of disarmament and peaceful use of atomic energy.

Photo: At Hiroshima office (HO) UNITAR. From left to right: James Short - official of HO, Sergei Shaposhnikov – official of HO, Кaori Okabe – secretary of HO, Nassrine Azimi – Director of HO, Vladimir Epp – TSPU Vice-Rector, Vladimir Rouvinski – official of Japanese Association of Culture assistanceе, Maxym Alexandrov – official of HO.

Programmes of cooperation with Mongolian universities

 TSPU has the following programmes with Mongolian universities:

 Photo: Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Mathematic, TSPU and Head of the Department of Mathematics and Physics of Mongolian State Agricultural University coordinate the curriculum: A.N. Makarenko and T. Tsendsuren.

 

Photo: Signing the agreement on cooperation between TSPU and Mongolian State Agricultural University: Vice Rector on International Relations - V.Y. Epp and Rector of MSAU – KH. Byambaa.

Photo: Visit of the delegation from State Institute of Border Police. Rector of TSPU V.V. Obukhov and Rector of SIBP N. Naranzhamts are in the centre.

 

The strategy of globalization of Russian education is efficiently realized at the Laboratory of cognitive-adaptive technologies of psychology of education at the Faculty of Psychology, Public Relations and Advertising. Under conditions of development and integration of international cooperation between Tomsk State Pedagogical University (TSPU) and Orkhon Branch of Mongolian State University work in students' inter-groups is implemented. Experience of work in students' inter-groups allows to form under conditions of growing migration stream new elements of culture of social interaction, put professional potential of future specialists – teachers and psychologists.

 

The group of Russian and Mongolian students during lessons. Active participants of the lessons of Akhmetova L.V.: Yudina D., Yurkova E., Popryadukhina G., Batsengel Khashbat.

The group of Russian and Mongolian students during lessons. Active participants of the lessons under the direction of Akhmetova L.V.: Yudina D., Yurkova E., Popryadukhina G., Batsengel Khashbat.

At the lesson. Through active studying of Russian folk work social-psychological adaptation of Mongolian students to Russian-language environment is realized.

The Programme of TSPU graduates’ employment in the educational institutions of Mongolia

The programme has been realized since 2006. The basic place for employment of the students is School “Erel”, Ulan-Bator, Mongolia. The graduates are provided with lodging and worthy salary.

Photo: TSPU graduate at Erel School: Tatiana V. Kolosova

International Information Office

International Information Office of Tomsk State Pedagogical University was organized in 2000. The office deals with planning and coordination of international relations of TSPU.

The tasks of the International Information Office of TSPU are:

  • Development of cooperation with foreign universities and organizations;
  • Providing TSPU scholars, faculty members, postgraduates and students with information about current national and international programmes and grants;
  • Providing visa and registration services to TSPU foreign visiting scholars, teachers and students;
  • Assistance in organization of international conferences, seminars and foreign delegations’ visits to TSPU;
Contact information

Postal address:

International Office, ul. Kievskaya, 60, Tomsk, 634061,  Russian Federation

Location:

pr. Komsomolsky, 75, room 204 ULK, Tomsk, 634041

Tel. +7 3822 52 11 23, Fax+7 3822 52 20 66, e-mail, Skype: infocent.tspu

Office hours

Monday — Friday: from 08-30 to 13-00, from 13-45 to 17-15, GMT +6 hours

Official holidays:
January 1 - 5 Near Year Days
January 7 Orthodox Christmas
February 23 Defenders’ Day
March 8 Women’s Day
May 1 May Day
May 9 Victory Day
June 12 Russian Federation Day
November 4 Day of the National Unity

 

Getting to Tomsk and Living Here

Getting to Tomsk 

Tomsk is situated in the geographical centre of Russia. There are different ways to get to Tomsk.

If you enter Russia in Moscow you can travel to Tomsk by train or air.

There are direct trains from Moscow which depart on odd days (1,3,5,7,9....). Trains bound for Tomsk depart from Moscow, Yaroslavsky Railway station late in the evening and arrive in Tomsk in 56 hours. Please be advised that Russian Railway uses Moscow time in time tables all over Russia. There are several trains from Moscow to other Siberian and Far Eastern cities which go through Taiga station or Novosibirsk main station. From those stations you get to Tomsk either by local trains or buses. Detailed information about Russian railway service and time-tables are available at the website of Russian Railways

In you travel by train, the halls of residence are within walking distance (10-15 minutes) from the railway station Tomsk 1. You should just walk along the street on the right side of the street. You will have to cross a street only once, which is right after the railway square. You will walk along the tram line and when the tram line splits you will walk along the right line. The halls of residence will be on the same side (9 floor building which comes right after the big building with columns behind a hence).

From the railway station Tomsk 1 you can also take buses: 10, 29, 27, 77 and get off at Kartashova stop - 3d from the railway station. You can also take trolleybus routes 4, 7 and get off at Kirov Square (second stop after the railway station) Other option would be taking tram 4 and getting off at tram depot stop (second from the railway station) Bus and tram stops are at almost in front of the entrance to halls of residence.

If you arrive in Tomsk from Moscow by plane there are three air carriers serving the route. From Moscow (airport Domodedovo):S7 Airlines  and Transaero. From Moscow (airport Vnukovo): UT Air  All flights are daily and overnight, departing Moscow late at night and arriving early in the morning. From the airport you can take bus 119 and get off at Kirov Square stop and from there walk about 3 minutes. You can also take a cab from the airport. The fare is around 400 roubles (10 EUR).

If you enter Russia in Novosibirsk airport, we recommend shuttle bus service from the airport to Tomsk (railway/bus station).
 

Phoning in Russia 

Cell (mobile) phones are a very usual thing in Russia. A lot of young people tend to have two or even more cell phones and numbers. A cell phone may not necessarily be indispensable, but it is important for your social connection. Popular carriers in Russia are MTS, Beeline, Tele2 and Megafon. Different carriers have different service plans and rates for users. Detailed information about the companies you could find at their websites or their offices.

A cell phone and SIM- card can be purchased at any cellphone shop. For buying a SIM-card you should present your passport.  

Internet

The Internet is a usual thing and there are lots of services which are avaliable on-line. There are numerous intrenet places all over the campus, including halls of residence. All rooms in students' halls of residence are equiped  with the Internet. Moreover cell phone companies offer mobile 3G Internet  with flat rate for reasonable prices (starting at around 500 roubles a month).

Post  

If you want to send postcards, letters, large envelopes or small packages you should visit one of the post offices which are situated all around the city. The price you pay depends on the destination, the weight and the shape of the item that you are sending. Big international packages are processed only at the main Post office which is situated at prospect Lenin, 93.

Detailed information about postal services, regulations, costs and other things you could find at the website of Russian Post.

Please mind also customs regulations, as big or/and expensive parcels from abroad may be tax liable, or may attract additional charges. If you have any questions concerning customs’ services you can find all information at the website of the Russian Federal Customs Service.

Students’ Bank Cards 

The students of our university monthly receive their scholarship which is posted to students' bank cards. Students can choose the bank where they want to receive a card. Usually students of our university receive their cards in Sberbank or Gazprombank. International students whose education is financed by the  RF Government receive their scholarship posted to their Russian bank cards. Short-term students studying on exchange programmes receive their scholarship in cash. Students on internship practice who do not receive any kind of financial aid could use any ATM machine from various banks to withdraw cash. Foreign currencies can be exchanged in Tosmk  only in banks. However, most of the banks can exchange only $US or EUR. For money exchange you will need to present your passport. Before making withdrawal  from ATM-mashines you should remember that different banks charge different interest for any banking transactions. Also take into account that your home bank could block your card after your first withdrawal in Russia. So it would be reasonable to inform your bank about your trip abroad.

Transportation in Tomsk 

Tomsk has a good transportation system which includes trams, trolleybuses (municipal transport) and buses (private transport). Besides there are numerous taxi companies. At present the fare for the tram and trolleybus is 7 roubles and for the bus is 12 roubles. For municipal transport there is a system of student month tickets which are available right at a tram or trolleybus. There are no month tickets for buses. 

More information about Tomsk is available at:

http://www1.admin.tomsk.ru/eng1024

http://iguide.travel/Tomsk#Guide

We encourage all international students to read how to prepare to live in another culture

Information for International Students and Visitors

Dear International Visitor/ Professor/ Student, We are very pleased that you are interested in visiting or studying at our university. We would like to offer some necessary information that you need to know before you travel to the Russian Federation. There are different types of RF visa, depending on the purpose of entry.

Student visa (purpose of entry: study, PhD study, courses or internship/practicum)

To study at a Russian university, international students need to have a student visa. Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan do not require a student visa. Nationals of other countries have to apply for a RF student visa before arriving in Russia. In order to apply for a RF visa you will have to submit our official invitation along with your visa application and other supporting documents to the Russian diplomatic mission. For your official invitation you are required to fill in the application for invitation for a student visa and send it back. Invitations are issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service. They reserve one month for the invitation to be issued. Citizens of the European Union (excluding the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and also citizens of  Switzerland, Iceland and Kingdom of Norway require only an official invitation issued by the university. Once we have received the required information, we usually issue such an invitation on the same business day

Please be aware that an invitation enables you to apply for a Russian visa at the nearest Russian diplomatic mission.

However the final decision about visa issue is taken by the Russian consulate. Depending on your citizenship, you may apply for your visa via your travel agent or other visa services. When applying for your Russian visa, please be aware that you may be required to provide additional documentation such as proof of insurance, sufficient financial means etc.

Normally students receive a single entry visa for 3 months. If you maintain your student status, your visa will be extended for one year and multiple entries. Further extensions occur every year. Once you are exmatriculated, you student visa will also be invalid. Russian Law does not provide grace period for travelling or looking for work after completion of studies.

Important!!!: International students can study only at the inviting university. No transfer to another university is allowed. Should a student decide to study at a different university, he/she will have to leave Russia and apply for a new student visa. Under Russian Law international students may not work, unless this work is on campus or during semester holidays. We discourage students to undertake travelling in Russia during semester as it might terminate your student status.

We encourage all international students to read how to prepare to live in another culture.

Visitor visa (conference, workshops …). This type of visa is called "scientific and technical cooperation":

Please contact the nearest Russian diplomatic mission or us to enquire if you require a visa to enter the Russian Federation for a short term visit (this category of visa). In case you need this visa, you will need an official invitation from our university. For your official invitation you are required to fill in the Application for invitation for a short-term visa (visiting scholars, teachers) and send it back. Invitations are issued by the Russian Federal Migration Service and they reserve one month for the invitation to be issued. Citizens of the European Union (excluding the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) and also citizens of Switzerland, Iceland and Kingdom of Norway require only an official invitation issued by the university. Usually we issue such an invitation on the same business day after we have received the required information. Please note that this visa can not be used for emloyment or any other activity requiring salary, fees or access to  funds.

Please be informed that university invitations and the visa issued may not be used for tourist purposes.

Arrival in Russia

When arriving in Russia, on plane or train you should fill out a migration card which consists of two identical parts: arrival record and departure record. Complete the card either in Russian or English and hand it to the border police officer along with your passport. When finished put and keep the departure record part in your passport. Like in many other countries, possession of a visa does not always entitle its bearer to enter the country. The final decision about admitting is taken by the border police officer. We recommend keeping copies of the supporting documents in the event that the border police officer will ask for them. Please be advised that according to the Russian law all foreigners staying in Russia longer than seven days must be registered at the local Migration Office. Should you stay in some other place before going to Tomsk or travel to Tomsk by train, you are kindly requested to bring proof that you have legally been staying in Russia; such proof can be a train ticket, hotel receipt(s), copy(ies) of registration at the local Migration Office etc. Failure to produce this evidence may preclude us from being able to register you at the Tomsk Migration Office. This may be punished by fine, deportation or both.

The visitor visa can not be extended. The period mentioned in the visa is the period of stay in the Russian Federation. You may not stay in the Russian Federation beyond the date mentioned in the visa. Russian border police is very strict with travellers who overstay their visas even for one day. In the event of overstaying the visa, travellers will be required to apply for an exit /transit visa and it may take up to 20 days for such a visa to be issued by the Russian Migration Office. This usually results in fines and other additional expenses.

Should you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us via email.

International Activity

International Information Center of Tomsk State Pedagogical University was founded in 2000.

International Activity of TSPU includes:

  • academic exchange of students and faculty members according to the agreements between TSPU and foreign universities
  • participation of TSPU scholars in joint research and academic programmes
  • Assistance in organization of international conferences and seminars
  • opening and support of foreign organizations’ representative offices at TSPU
  • organization of internship abroad for TSPU students

International Activity Structure

  • Agreements with Foreign Partners
    • Academic exchanges for students and postgraduates: Hiroshima University (Japan), Ochanomizu University (Japan), Wroclaw University (Poland), University of North Carolina at Pembroke (USA), University of Indiana, Bloomington (USA), Shenyang  Pedagogical University (China) and others.
    • Information Services: DAAD, British Council, IREX, American Councils, Fulbright and others.
    • Scientific and methodical cooperation (18 universities).
    • Internship for American students  under the program “Cultural Immersion Project”.
  • Representative Offices of Foreign Organizations at TSPU
    • Hiroshima University, Japan.
    • Wroclaw University, Poland.
    • UNITAR Hiroshima Office for Asia and the Pacific.
  • Invitations for foreign professors and scholars
    • Native speaking teachers of English, German, French, Japanese and Chinese.
    • Research in theoretical physics, linguistics, education, ethnology and others.
  • Individual International Contacts
    • Grants for research, agreements with scholars and postgraduates.
    • Educational grants for faculty members and students.
    • Programmes like “Study Abroad”, “Work and Travel”, Au Pair and others.