RBC: Russian education was informed of the grounds for refusing to cooperate with foreigners

The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation has published a draft by-law to the law on educational activities adopted in 2021. It is reported by RBC. In accordance with this document, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Education and Science will issue conclusions on the expediency of the participation of their subordinate educational organizations in international cooperation.

The new rules apply to joint educational and scientific programs with foreign organizations, academic exchange programs for students, teachers and researchers; agreements on joint scientific research, “innovative activity” and the exchange of educational and scientific literature, as well as on participation in international educational and scientific projects, congresses, symposiums, conferences and seminars. At the same time, all agreements “on education issues” concluded by educational institutions both with foreign organizations and with citizens of foreign states will be subject to control.

They can refuse to cooperate if this organization or citizen is recognized as undesirable in the Russian Federation, if a foreign citizen is prohibited from entering Russia, or if he has a criminal record for committing a serious and especially dangerous crime.

The Law “On Educational Activities” has been in force in the Russian Federation since June 1, 2021. The adoption of this law, which caused a lot of criticism, was justified by the need to “oppose Western states to interfere in the internal affairs of Russia”, while the new rules do not apply to agreements on the education of foreign students.