The University of San Carlos Talamban campus (USC-TC) formally opened on Friday the Josef Baumgartner Learning Resource Center at the campus’ central library.
Russian library resources were donated to the university by the Russkiy Mir (Russian World) Foundation through the efforts of Honorary Russian Consul in Cebu Armi Garcia and USC.
Russkiy Mir Foundation, founded by Vladimir Putin in 2007, is in charge of setting up Russian corners and centers around the world.
The project aims to give Filipinos the opportunity to learn the Russian language for better understanding of the two cultures – Philippines and Russia. It also aims to promote Russian history, literature and culture.
According to Garcia, the number of Russian tourists grew by 300 percent this year which benefits the hotel industry in Cebu.
The Russian Embassy is promoting the Philippines as a favored destination for Russian tourists.
“As we welcome Russian tourists in the country, there is a need to be able to speak the language. Since we don’t have facilities in the universities, I am very happy that the University of San Carlos responded to this as the first step towards development”, she said.
At present, USC has only one Russian teacher whose class is open to all year levels. The first wave of books donated to the university focuses on the Russian language program.
“Filipinos are great linguists,” said Alexey Illiviev, attache of the Russian Federation Embassy.
Learning the language of Great Russian writers is a goal of the project, he said. as well as providing an opportunity for Russians to be heard and for the world to see that Russia is a peaceful community.
Donations and scholarships were also received by the university from the Alcordo Family.
The university allocated space in the library for an Alcordo Reading Corner.
The University of San Carlos Chemical Engineering Foundation also donated 30 books.
The Russian Federation in Cebu and USC are expecting more donations of instructional materials and to eventually open an international learning resource center in the university. /CORRESPONDENT JOY CHERRY QUITO