InnopolisUniversityManifestoonMedium

INNOPOLIS UNIVERSITY MANIFESTO ON MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION

Innopolis University is committed to the highest international academic standards and offers the opportunity to study Computer Science and Engineering in English developing fluency and command of technical and non-technical vocabulary. This is made possible by the University’s international community of staff and students, speaking several foreign languages, and in particular English, on a daily basis: students, professors, researchers and administrative staff. This commitment is reflected on using English as the language of instruction of Innopolis University. All classes, teaching, labs, assignments, exercises and practical material are provided in English. English is expected to be used in the following situations:

• Frontal Classes, including questions
• Frontal Labs, including questions
• Class and labs material
• Technical and non-technical assignments
• Theses and projects
• Written and Oral Exams
• Group Office Hours
• Public Chats related to University life
• Emails to students or colleagues
• Student’s Groups
• Any other document related to education

Being English the officialMedium of Instruction of Innopolis University does not prevent the use of other languages, and, in particular, Russian, in other situations where two or more people share a common language, thus English is not necessary used in situations like informal conversation (questions after classes...), individual office hours, private emails, private chats.

Rationale

Fluency in multiple languages reflects on one hand a versatile mind, on the other hand the significant effort and dedication necessary to acquire such ability. Being multilingual is a notable skill, no matter what set of languages is in a student’s portfolio, however English is an important addition for every graduate. The importance of English language can be summarized in three major points:

• English as a communication means
• English as language of employment
• English as language of science

English as a communicationmeans

English is the language of international communication; speaking English increases the chances to communicate virtually anywhere in the world in every field of knowledge. Fluency in this language allows graduate to travel, encounter new cultures, ideas and to grow as individual and professionals. It is the mediumfor exchanging technical knowledge as well feelings and emotions.

English as language of employment

The opportunities available on the job market today requires graduates to manage a complex mix of soft and hard skills. Among these language skills have a primarily importance, not only for international job market, but also for seeking high-profile employment in the Russian Federation. All themajor companies keep indeed continuous relations with abroad institution and engineers, manager, salesmen and every other highly-qualified specialists needs the command of at least one foreign language, typically English. English skills are just as desirable to employers in any country as they are to employers in English-speaking countries. Fluency in English allows employees to attend and organize international business meetings. Where several languages are represented, the chances are that the meeting will be conducted in English. Employees with language skills will find themselves in a position of advantage and will be able attending relevant gathering, therefore having the opportunity to advance faster in the career ladder.

English as language of science

English is also the language of science and being fluent allows graduates to continuously educate themselves accessing scientific literature and attending international conferences. English is essential to pursue a scientific career and to develop the necessary network able to develop your scientific research.

Commitment to improve language skills

In order to gain admission to Innopolis University, it is necessary to provide evidence of specific language levels based on the specific program of enrollment. Over the period study the English level is expected to grow. The University implements several ways to support students in their path, some of them being:

• English Courses
• Communication Courses
• Technical Essays in English
• Lab internships
• International projects

Exceptions

Specific exceptions can be made by the Department of Education for courses that need to comply with laws and regulations of the Russian Federation (for example “Safety”). The University commits to provide the opportunity to learn the material of these courses to all the international students. In some cases, instructors who are fluent in Russian and possess the appropriate established terminology used in Russian industry and research can familiarize students with bilingual terminology that could give students a competitive advantage in the knowledge of modern terms used at the national and international levels.

Summary

Innopolis University is committed to provide education of the highest quality using English as aMediumof Instruction to better prepare future graduate to a dynamic job environment. Staff, teacher and students commit to use English for classes and other major educational situations. Other shared languages can be effectively used in point-to-point communication whenever there is certainty that no involved participants could be excluded by the conversation for lack of fluency in the used language. This chapter of the teaching regulations collects the suggested practices for staff, teacher and student to keep alive the international community and be competitive at the national and international level.