PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Abbreviations:

A x: Activity number, BU: Bocconi University, DK: Denmark/Danish, EBRD: European Bank of Reconstruction and development, ECTS: European Credit Transfer System, E/W: East/West, EU: European Union, I: Italy/Italian, IBRD: International Bank of Reconstruction and Development, ICSFI: International Centre of Studies in Financial Institutions, ICSPE: International Centre of Studies in Public Economics, INCAS: International Centre for Advanced Studies in Nizhni Novgorod, JEP: Joint European Project, NN: Nizhni Novgorod, NNR: Nizhni Novgorod Region, NNRDCSS: Nizhni Novgorod Regional Division of the Committee for State Statistics, O x: Outcome number, RF: Russian Federation, RUC: Roskilde University, RUNNET: Russian University Net, SDA Bocconi: the School of Management of Bocconi University, UNN: University of Nizhni Novgorod, W/E: West/East, W/W: West/West, WWW: World Wide Web.

Definitions

Chair (this definition is used in RF for Russian name "кафедра"): A key division of the university that conducts studies and research activities in defined subject area. The chair can be a part of the faculty or an independent university unit (i.e. university chair). It is as a centre of scientific knowledge in defined subject area with qualified personnel to carry out the tasks of teaching and research activities. The procedure of chair establishment is regulated by university rules and takes from one to two years.

BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Results of the needs and institutional analysis carried out to prepare the project

Procedure followed to assess institutional needs

The present JEP was developed as a logical result of previous co-operation between project partners. The need analysis for the JEP is an outcome of several years of experience and feedback from common work on the implementation of Tempus Tacis projects as well as other scientific/ educational projects. The formal procedure of assessment of the institutional needs in the partner institution included the following steps:

1. During the implementation of TEMPUS Tacis JEP in Public Economics (T-JEP-08536-94) three international conferences were held: the conference on “What the west can offer to the transition countries” at RUC in April 1997, the conference on Public Regulation at the UNN in May 1997. In the proceedings of these conferences was pointed out the necessity to develop a basis for empirical investigations and applied statistics at the UNN.

2. In April–May 1996 the representatives of the UNN (vice-rector, deans of Economic and Financial faculties, chief of International Office) were invited to DK in order to investigate the functioning of Danish Social Research system and application of statistical data and methods in different organisations. The visit was partly financed by RUC. During the visit the group met with Danish demographer Prof. P.C. Matiessen, the specialists from Denmark’s Statistical Office. The group was introduced to the different methods for usage of statistical data through the meetings in the Danish Institute of Social Research, pension funds and banks. The visit in DK led to direct conclusion about the necessity to formalise the program that will build up at the UNN a structure for the development of empirical research and applied statistics.

3. In 199x the UNN invited professor Guillaume Wunsch (Louvian La Neuve University), who arranged teaching sessions at the UNN about the organisation of training in demography in Belgium.

4. In November 1998 the UNN and RUC established a common working group for the preparation of new JEP that included: vice-rector of NNU Roman Strongin, Professor Poul Wolffsen from RUC, PhD student from UNN Olga Petrova, and head of office from RUC Arturas Maslauskas. The establishment of the working group is a result of the agreement signed between the UNN and RUC that presumes the development of new training programs by Roman Strongin (on behalf of the UNN) and Poul Wolffsen (on behalf of RUC). Rectors of both universities approved the establishment of the working group.

5. In order to assess the needs of the partner institution the working group arranged the meeting with the leaders of Economic Faculty, Financial Faculty, the Faculty of Management and Business, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, and the Dealing Centre of UNN. The following analysis confirmed the need for new program in applied statistics that will support education and research in the different faculties of the UNN.

6. In the beginning of January 1999 Professor Poul Wolffsen presented the idea of the project to Professor Domenico Bodega and received his constructive approval for the participation in the project of BU.

7. The working group presented the proposal for JEP development to the deans of above-mentioned faculties of the UNN as well as the NNRDCSS. The leader of the NNRDCSS expressed the interest in the project development that is in line with the previously signed agreement of co-operation between the NNRDCSS and the UNN (the agreement between the NNRDCSS and UNN is enclosed with this application).

Broader context

The development of the present JEP is closely related to the recent changes in the regional development and reflects new trends in the national educational policy as well as new directions in the development of the UNN.

Before the transition period regional authorities were received the detailed instructions concerning all the basic directions of their activities. Because of this fact, economic and social statistical information, which could motivate the process of decision making, was not needed. Any significant culture of using the statistical data during the processes of plans elaboration and decision making did not actually exist. In the light of broadening region independence the significant amount of the social and economic decisions are made locally. However, the lack of statistical analysis and forecasting skills is the restrictive factor for the managerial decision making. In this situation the UNN is a logical source that could provide relevant expertise in this field in order to develop management capacities in the NNR.

To overcome these difficulties the following steps were/are made:

1. The UNN has signed several agreements on co-operation with the NNRDCSS.

The agreements stipulate:

• the development of the chair of state and municipal management (the chair is headed by the Head Person of the above Committee who is simultaneously serving as the professor at the University);

• the extending of the training of corresponding profile specialists;

the carrying out of joint scientific researches.

2. In the university’s interests the NNRDCSS has formed the scientific theme on economics, demography, ecology and provides the necessary information for the scientific researches. On the other hand, PhD students of the UNN are using statistical data in their researches and are providing the results of analytical work to the NNRDCSS.

3. The regional demographic researches were started.
These researches are financed by the regional authorities, by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Social Security of Russian federation and are based upon the close University’s co-operation with the Moscow State University, with the University of Calabria (Italy), and with the Louvian La Neuve University (Belgium). To suuport research activities the UNN established UNESCO chair in demography.

4. The University is establishing the co-operation with the Danish statisticians.

The results of the scientific researches carrying out in the University in this field:

• were presented twice at the sessions of the Regional Legislative Board;
  (Famous Belgian demographer, professor Guillaume Wunsch (Louvian La Neuve University) participated in one of the sessions, specially came from Belgium for it.))

• were published in the leading Russian statistical journals (“Questions of Statistics”, “Men and Labour”, etc.);

• were presented at the international conferences (“Family in the process of development” (carried out by the patronage of UNO), etc.).

So, on the one hand, the objective need for the development of the culture of using the statistical data for the tasks of regional authorities exist, on the other hand, the University (in co-operation with the regional authorities) has started the researches and the training of specialists in this field.

The present JEP will contribute to the further progress of the Applied Statistics at the UNN with the view of development of social sciences at the university and using this knowledge for external organisations. In this way the JEP strengthens the reform policy of the partner institution and the NNR.

Characteristics of the partner institution

The recipient of the project is the UNN. The UNN is a traditional state university where research and education is carried on in 15 faculties. In the official rating the UNN occupies the 5-th place among RF universities. The UNN has got an extensive experience of participation in the international projects (see the letter of endorsement) and for several years carried out a very progressive reform policy that aimed to improve and renew the curricula of the university as well as its management. The rector of the UNN has been invited twice ( in 1997 and 1999) to participate in the Salzburg Seminar on the subject “Responsive for Innovations University in Russia: Universities and their input in the National and Regional Development”. This shows the acknowledgement of international universities’ community for the reforms that have been carried out at the UNN.

The present JEP is planned as the university project that will involve several faculties/units of the UNN. The separate faculties/centres that are involved in the project are: Economic Faculty, Financial Faculty, The Faculty of Management and Business, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, and the Dealing Centre of UNN. All above-mentioned faculties have experience of implementing international projects.

Problems and Bottlenecks

The previous experience of the work on international projects and analysis of the current situation at the UNN and the NNR revealed several problems and demands that should be addressed in the present JEP. These demands can be finalised under the following headings:

1. Curriculum development in Applied Statistics

The development of TEMPUS Tacis projects in Economics and Finances showed an acute need for the elaboration of curricula in Statistics, that will support further progress of social sciences at the UNN and give a theoretical as well as practical background for development of empirical investigations. The elaboration of curricula in Applied Statistics is necessary for the UNN in order to reach a qualitatively new stage of development in the sphere of social sciences. The development of Applied Statistics is also induced by the changes in the socio-economic situation in the NNR and the reform policy of the UNN.

2. Synergy of actions

Most of the previous international projects were addressing the separate faculties/ departments of the UNN. Nowadays there is an urgent need to effect with the project as many recipients as possible. The JEP in Applied Statistics shall inevitably be of integrative nature because this program is needed in the following faculties: Economic Faculty, Financial Faculty, The Faculty of Management and Business, the Faculty of Social Sciences, the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Cybernetics, the Faculty of Mechanics and Mathematics, and Dealing centre of the UNN. Furhtermore, the programs in Applied Statistics will be developed for training of Bachelor, Master, intermediate (Specialist), and PhD level students as well as for vocational training. Thus, the development of the JEP in applied statistics will permit to cover in the most efficient way (in vertical and horizontal integration) the need of the UNN for upgrading and developing of new curricula. It will increase the number of affected entities inside the UNN and in this way the synergy of actions will be reached.

3. Transfer of western knowledge to RF

The UNN is known internationally as the centre of Mathematics. One of the premises for development of economic, social and other statistics is the existence of the chair of applied probability theory at the Faculty of Mathematics and Cybernetics. Personnel of this chair have the high qualification in the field of probability theory and mathematical statistics. Teachers, working at the chair, are delivering the lectures on probability theory at the most of university’s faculties, but they do not have any meaningful experience of application of their knowledge in the social-economic field. Thus, the contribution of the western partners is necessary in order to transfer modern western knowledge and to develop applied statistics in the different fields of social-economic education and training.

The participation of the University in the previous TEMPUS Tacis JEPs (e.g. project T-JEP - 08536-94 in Public Economics) made possible to acquaint several students of mathematical specialities with the elements of western experience of using the statistics (e. g. in the field of actuarial mathematics). Nowadays, these young persons are postgraduate students or young teachers at the University and they can contribute to the further development of applied statistics at the UNN and transfer of western knowledge to RF.

Previous projects

The present JEP is developed as a conclusion of the following international projects:

1. TEMPUS Tacis JEP in Public Economics (T-JEP-08536-94)

2. Project “Methodological, educational and organisational innovations for improving of the quality of education in politology, sociology and economics in Nizhni Novgorod”, financed by the IBRD and developed in the Faculty of Social Sciences as well as the Faculty Mechanics and Mathematics of the UNN.

3. INCAS project on “Aspect of Econometrics” (contract number 98 – E - 05)

It will co-ordinate with the implementation of the following projects:

4. TEMPUS Tacis Mobility JEP in Finances (Mobility_JEP-10461-98)

5. Inco – Copernicus project in the sphere of Transfer of technology (contract number ERB IC15-CT98-10059).

6. World Bank project on “The development of training system for the high-qualified personnel for the financial and managerial activity by means of the new information technologies application (contract number 3824 – RU).

7. The grant of Danish Democratic fund for Ass. Prof. of the UNN Natalia Strongina for investigation in DK on the subject “Welfare, Demography, Social policy and Administration”. Period of investigation: April – June 1999.

The present JEP should be viewed as a project that summarises and gathers the results of previous activities under systematic, goal orientated and logical structure that will be orientated to the development of training and applications in statistics. In this way the present JEP will function as a finalising point for activities carried out in the different areas but related to the statistics (projects 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7). At the same time, results of the present JEP will support the development of already existing projects, especially the development of INCO-Copernicus project in the sphere of Transfer of technology, where collection and analysis of statistical data is one of the most important tasks.

Genesis of the consortium

Co-operation in the preparation of the project and previous co-operation

The development of the present project involved active participation of the project partners. The representative of RUC, Professor Poul Wolffsen, visited several times the UNN and participated in the discussion on the project development. The visits of Professor Poul Wolffsen were carried out as a part of previous and present projects developed under the auspices of different international programs: Tempus Tacis, World Bank program, INCO – Copernicus, and INCAS (project titles and contract numbers are specified in the part “Previous projects”, numbers: 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6)

Previous experience made by the institutions of the European Union in the partner country

RUC

RUC was participating and managing several projects in the RF (see projects 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 in the list of previous projects). At the present moment RUC is a co-ordinator of Inco – Copernicus research project in the sphere of Transfer of Technology (contract number ERB IC15-CT98-10059) and co-ordinator and contractor of TEMPUS Tacis Mobility JEP in Finances (Mobility_JEP-10461-98). Both projects are carried on in co-operation with the UNN. Further elaboration of the new JEP will allow to concentrate the administrative, financial and academic resources and permit RUC to achieve the effect of synergy by combining different projects in the same partner university.

The UNN signed co-operation agreements with RUC which presumes the development of scientific projects in different areas.

BU

BU has a very intensive experience of organising and implementing educational and training program in the RF. In 1989 SDA Bocconi established, through a joint-venture with State University of Leningrad, IMISP (The International Management Institute of St. Petersburg). The development of the institute was supported by the Tempus Tacis project where SDA Bocconi was a co-ordinator and contractor. SDA Bocconi have been also implementing the following training and educational programs in RF: Management course for GASPROM (in 1991), EUROCIS project for management training (TACIS, 1994 – 1996), Re-qualification of the Red Army officers (TACIS, 1994), Establishment of a Banking Advisory Unit in Tyumen (TACIS, 1994-1995), West Russia Regional Venture Fund “Investment Advisory Services” (EBRD 1997-1999), and Training of Top State Personnel in the Russian Federation (Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Legge 212 , 1999). At the present moment SDA Bocconi is leading the international consortium in the project on Development of Educational Links and Professional and Higher Education Initiative DELPHI, (TACIS, 1999-2001).

Ways in which the partner institutions complement each other

For the implementation of the project the UNN teamed up with BU and RUC. The composition of the consortium was decided for the following reasons:

• RUC is included in the consortium as the co-ordinator and the contractor of the project due to its expertise in organising education in the RF. Besides, the contact person for project implementation at RUC is Professor Poul Wolffsen who is a specialist in the field of Applied Statistics. He was for several years working at the Denmark’s statistical office. From 1993 to 1996 Prof. Poul Wolffsen was a Head of Study Board at RUC and, therefore, he is also acquainted with the process of curricula development. One of the special features of RUC is a combined curriculum between different faculties. This particular knowledge will be used during the elaboration of the integrated program in Applied Statistics between several faculties of the UNN.

• BU is included in the consortium due to its expertise in organising education in the RF. Particularly, BU has an extensive knowledge of application of statistical methods in Business Management, Economics, Municipal Management, and Decision Making. The contact person in BU – Prof. Donato Michele Cifarelli – is a director of Institute of Quantitative Methods at the BU. He will be academic responsible for the project. Professor Domenico Bodega will be project manager on the part of BU. Professor Domenico Bodega was a co-ordinator of Tempus Tacis project for the development of the IMISP and has an extensive knowledge of managing training and education programs in RF. At the present moment SDA Bocconi is leading the international consortium in the project on Development of Educational Links and Professional and Higher Education Initiative DELPHI, (TACIS, 1999-2001). This project is especially important for the development of the present JEP. Its objective is to reform and develop the Russian Education System, strengthening the co-operation between central, federal and regional authorities in the following areas: Teaching of Economics, Business Administration, Law, Professional education and Distance Learning. The project involves assistance to the Ministry of General and Professional Education in formulating and planning of education policies and in the co-ordination of activities with the other Ministries and social partners. Thus, DELPHI Initiative project will relate results of the present JEP to the broader context of educational reform in the RF and will support the dissemination of JEP’s results.

OBJECTIVE AND EXPECTED OUTCOMES

Objective

The overall long-term objective, which will in part be realised during the present JEP and will continue its development after the project is:

To establish a role model chair in applied statistics to provide an integrated program for development of studies in social sciences at the UNN and training/ retraining of experts, users and producers of statistics in the region.

In the long term this body will create a sustainable structure that permits:

1. To upgrade the teaching in Applied Statistics at the UNN.

2. To integrate the efforts of different involved faculties to reach common objectives of the university development.

3. To establish mutually beneficial relationships with external users and producers of statistical information.

4. To disseminate project results in the NNR and RF.

The specific project objective is:

To establish technical facilities for development of chair in Applied Statistics (this objective is reached during the realisation of outcome 1 and 5, where necessary technical facilities are installed in)

Outcomes

Outcome reference No1: Establishment of Data Laboratory

Right from the beginning this laboratory is established and its director appointed. One of the aims is immediately to ensure a structure and a responsible figure with proper incentives to drive the project implementation. Another aim is to have a base for transfer of western technologies (knowledge). Finally the laboratory is the foundation stone for later establishment of the chair.

Outcome reference No 2: Institutional basis for development of integrated programs in Applied Statistics

Outcome reference No 3: Trained UNN staff

Outcome reference No 4: Preliminary prepared curricula and courses

Outcome reference No 5: Establishment of the modern classroom

Outcome reference No 6: Exemplary pedagogy at the UNN

Co-teaching by EU and young RF teachers: preparing lectures in co-operation, lecturing together or under supervision, running assessment of learning results (questionnaires to the students) and preparation of future lecturing together.

Outcome reference No 7: Two programs in Applied Statistics

In fact, it’s an integrated curriculum in applied statistics. That is a collection of courses, which are common for a number of faculties or specialised for individual faculties. A certain sub-collection of courses constitutes a specialised curriculum (e.g. econometrics at the economic and financial faculty), while other courses are part of another curriculum (e.g. practical psychology). A program is a course plan specifying core syllabus, preconditions and applicability for each course. It is the intention that a specific pattern of courses should constitutes a specific curriculum for applied statistics.

Outcome reference No 8: Establishment of the Chair in Applied Statistics

Outcome reference No 9: The institutional frame for future options of the chair

Outcome reference No 10: Dissemination of project results

IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY

The results of the present JEP will have a long-term impact through the influence on the educational system of the partner country at three different levels:

1. Massive impact on involved faculties of the UNN. The JEP will create the chair in Applied Statistics that will supply courses in the subject area for different involved faculties of UNN. By means of co-ordination of training activities between several faculties and preparation of integrated program of courses, the impact of the JEP will spread among large number of recipients. Using integrative approach, the courses will be prepared taking into account different needs of several faculties (horizontal integration) and for different levels of education - Bachelor, Master and PhD levels (vertical integration).

2. Universities of the NNR and the RF. The JEP is paying a great attention to further dissemination of the project results in the NNR and RF. The distance education version of one of prepared courses and WWW page about the program will permit the distribution of information to a large number of RF universities. The UNN is a key university for dissemination of educational experiences. To mention but a few: in May 1997 the UNN held an international conference “Russian education: Traditions and Perspectives”; in July 1997 and 1999 rector of the UNN Alexander F. Khokhlov was invited to give a presentation in Salzburg Seminar project “University financing and management in new conditions” The rector of the UNN will give strong support for further dissemination of the project results to the key players in the Russian University and Administration system, as he is a chairman of the Council of rectors of Nizhni Novgorod centre of higher education institutions and an active member of the Board of Russia’s Union of Rectors.

3. Local administration of NNR, other users and producers of statistics. One of the outcomes of the present project is development of program of courses in Applied Statistics for vocational training. These courses will be used for training seminars arranged by the UNN to the staff of local administration of the NNR and employees of other interested organisations, for instance, Nizhni Novgorod Regional Division of the Committee for State Statistics (NNRDCSS), other users and producers of statistical information. The UNN has extensive experience of organising vocational training sessions for external organisations and is able to organise such an education. On the other hand, the NNRDCSS confirms its interests in such a courses in the agreement signed with UNN. The interest of administration of the NNR is also confirmed by letter enclosed in this application.

The development of the present JEP is also complimentary to the implementation of other international projects realised at the UNN.

1. The grant of Danish Democratic fund for Ass. Prof. of the UNN Natalia Strongina for investigation in DK on the subject “Welfare, Demography, Social policy and Administration”. Period of investigation: April – June 1999. The results of this investigation will be used for preparation of basis for future training and curricula development in Applied Statistics.

2. TEMPUS Tacis Mobility JEP in Finances (Mobility_JEP-10461-98). Present JEP will contribute to strengthening of empirical investigation in Financial faculty and training of students in methods of applied statistics.

3. Inco – Copernicus project in the sphere of Transfer of technology (contract number ERB IC15-CT98-10059). Collection and analysis of statistical data is a very important part of this project. Therefore, present JEP will directly support its development

The sustainability of the JEP is guaranteed by the creation at the UNN of the Chair in Statistics, International board and “Association for Research and Application in Statistics (ARAS)”. The chair in statistics will insure the continuity of education and research in Applied Statistics at the UNN, while International Board and the Association will work on fund raising for new activities, networking, consulting, training and further dissemination of project results in NNR, RF and internationally.

Risks and assumptions

Consortium members have long-term experience of participating in the common projects and working in RF. That eliminates the possibility for a great part of risks related to the dealing with the external organisations and institutions influencing the technical implementation of the JEP. Nevertheless, consortium members see few situations that can be beyond their control and can modify the totality of the JEP.

The selection of 6 UNN teachers for preparation of the courses in EU universities. It is expected that RF teachers will continue their work at the UNN after the mobility in the EU. However, it might happen that some of the teachers can choose another work place in the RF. Careful selection procedure of the teachers in the RF will help to eliminate this risk. Project co-ordinator Professor Poul Wolffsen and Professor Domenico Bodega, representing BU, have adequate experience related to the selection of RF in previous Tempus Tacis projects. In addition, RF teachers will prepare study guides and syllabuses for new developed courses that can be used by other RF teachers.