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Thursday 27 October 2011

FVC Invited on VIP Russian Trip

Forth Valley College Depute Principal Dr Ken Thomson recently took on an important role during a Stirling Council fact finding visit to Russia.

Dr Thomson was part of a four strong team which included Stirling Provost Fergus Wood, Business Representative John Stein and Business and Education Representative Lesley Stein, who over the last three years have been developing strategic international partnerships with Nova Scotia in Canada, Galway in Ireland and Vyborg in Russia.

The trip was reciprocal and in response to a successful visit to Scotland by officials from the Russian town in May 2010. The Stirling team hoped to use their expertise in education, business and tourism to help build stronger international links and the feedback from the Vyborg trip has been very positive.

After a mammoth 18 hour trip which involved travelling by plane, train, car and bus the party arrived in the historical town around 100 km from St Petersburg.

Tours of the local college and an English Teacher Training Campus belonging to the University of Russia were of particular interest to FVC Depute Principal Thomson.

However, various trips to the town’s castle and several factories and business sites explored the industrial and commercial parallels with the Stirling area. The prestigious Alvar Aalto Library, a folk museum, a rural farm and the national park also proved to be of great interest to the Stirling VIPs from a tourism point of view.

Dr Thomson, said:

“Firstly, this trip has been really worthwhile and being part of an international Stirling Council delegation – where Forth Valley College have been a key player for the first time – has been a great honour.

“Secondly, despite being very limited in Russia as far as visa entry goes, we have built positive links with the University of Russia for English speaking students. This could see future reciprocal visits between their learners and Forth Valley College tourism and hospitality students. It has been a good start.”

Stirling Council Provost Fergus Wood, said: “This is an opportunity to forge links with Russia in partnership with our fellow stakeholder, Forth Valley College. We must remember that we live in a global economy and must look at every opportunity to promote Stirling and its assets world-wide.”

Tags: Commercial, Stirling

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