On July 27, the third Arctic school of North-Eastern Federal University and the International Organization of Northern Regions "Northern Forum" was opened. The event takes place online with the participation of eight countries worldwide.

This year, due to the new coronavirus pandemic, the Arctic Summer School is being held online for the first time. A total of 15 people applied from such countries as France, Norway, Germany, Canada, USA, UK, China. “The coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly affected the international activities of universities and the internationalization of education. Summer schools for foreign citizens are held online this year. Our specialists will contact the participants to discuss lectures and answer questions late in the evening by Yakut time due to the difference in the time zones,” commented Vladlen Kugunurov, Vice Rector for International Cooperation of NEFU.

Since May 13, 2019, eight regions of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) have been included in the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation, which means that 49% of the territory of Yakutia is included in the Arctic region. “The Arctic Summer School for foreign students is held in order to draw attention to the problems of the Arctic and Yakutia,” explained Dariana Maksimova, associate professor of the Department of International Studies at the Institute of Foreign Philology and Regional Studies.

Within the frameworks of the Arctic School program, participants get acquainted with the problems of regional development of the Arctic, including the example of Yakutia, as well as with the problems of sustainable development and the indigenous peoples of the North and the Arctic. This is an excellent opportunity to make useful contacts for further joint scientific and practical activities for them, because many of those who apply for the course are interested in the sustainable development of the Arctic and the North, says Dariana Maksimova.

The program involves specialists from NEFU and the Northern Forum, experts from P.I. Melnikov Permafrost Institute SB RAS, Investment and Export Agency of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Ministry for Development of the Arctic and the Peoples of the North of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the University of Aberdeen (Great Britain), the Development Corporation of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), Arctic State Agrotechnological University, the Indigenous Peoples Secretariat of the Arctic Council and other organizations.

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Arctic Summer School 2020 is held online from July 27 to August 7. The first summer school was held in 2019, and the Arctic Winter School was held in February 2020. Last year, students from South Korea, Argentina, Germany, USA and Japan participated. Besides the lectures, the participants were able to visit the sights of Yakutia - the natural park "Lena Pillars", "Friendship" museum, including strategic points of the region development, such as Zhatay Shipyard.