Anna Givargizyan, chief editor of Zham magazine, interviewed MPGU Rector Alexey Lubkov. The following text consists of interview excerpts. To read the whole interview, click here.
-What is it like, to be a rector of the institution that existed in the times of wars, emperors, Lenin, Stalin, the Soviet Union?
-I believe that any educational institution is above politics. It serves society beyond time, eternally. I apologize for pathos, I want to say that our generation not only trains specialists, but looks ahead.
From this point of view, our University is unique since in 1872 it gave women opportunity to get higher education. Back then Moscow Imperial University n.a. Gerye, the founding father of our University, who suggested a project. The project was approved by the Emperor, the Moscow Governor-General, the Minister of Education — count D. A. Tolstoy. […] Our University is 146 years old.
We went through a lot, and there is a lot ahead of us. We are still learning from the past experience, as the process is non-linear. Our University has always been serving the Russian society, and beyond that, since we have been training teachers for countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States, Europe, Asia, Americas. When I was a student, there were many students from Cuba and Eastern European countries in MPGU. They received very good education here. In spite of the changes, our service has always been dedicated to the younger generation and the future.
Our motto that we announced on the 145th anniversary «Loyal to traditions, open to innovations», in my opinion, reflects our current activity well. On the one hand, we are firmly rooted in traditions, scientific schools that were created here in the course of many decades. On the other there is a necessity to be open to changes, new technologies that appear every day. The most important for us is that a human being determines and chooses technologies and future. This has always been at the heart of our national culture, education strategies. Our University is proud of our mission. […]
-From your perspective, what is your biggest contribution as a rector to the University?
-I believe that the most important step is to change the athmosphere in the University, to make both students and teachers understand that everything depends on them. Creativity has always been part of the University life; our projects can be real, effective, only when creativity is put into practice. Film discussions, psychoterapy, psychopedagogy — is also a ‘human’ way of communication between supervisor and team.
-What achievements can we expect from you in the nearest future?
-I think, we should continue our cooperation. MPGU will do what it can, the University [and Armenia] will make small steps forward together, create long-term prospects, start projects on Armenian language and culture. As you mentioned, about 100 Armenian students study in MPGU, we will provide them with opportunity to organize their recreational activities. This is the rector’s main task — to spark interest, inspire and motivate students, teachers to see their University as their home, probably not even alma mater, but real home.
