PIR Center Held A Field Event For Its Students And Junior Research Fellows

MOSCOW. DECEMBER 20, 2021. PIR PRESS. «These are really joyful moments: to find an extra opportunity to talk to students in a slightly different atmosphere, outside the university walls. I learnt this once while working at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). There, I also lived in the countryside, and not a single course went without such informal field trips – a picnic by the lake, a promenade in the forest… And on graduation days, the chef working with the Permanent Mission of the Russian Federation in Geneva would always pamper us with arguably the best, hand-made dumplings in the city which many GCSP graduates certainly recollect with heat and gladness. So, PIR Center adopts best practices. No dumplings this time, however. Yet we played chess, and strolled the guitar», – Vladimir Orlov, Founder and Director of PIR Center, Professor of MGIMO University, Academic Advisor of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (developed by MGIMO, Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, MIIS, USA, and PIR Center).

A field event for students of the 6th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center) was held near Zvenigorod. Junior research fellows from PIR Center partook as well. Novice experts on nuclear nonproliferation, disarmament, and global security were able to join the large-scale PIR Center Alumni Community.

Within the framework of the field event, a lecture was held by the Director and Founder of PIR Center, Professor of MGIMO University  Academic Advisor of the International Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center) Dr. Vladimir Orlov on the topic Russia’s nonproliferation policy. 

The discussion was followed by a mid-term debriefing and a HapPIR Hour. Students of the 6th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A Program in Nonproliferation Studies (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center) were able to enjoy the beginning of a real Russian winter. They shared their impressions of studying and living in Russia. It is rewarding to see that students show a genuine interest not only in the subject of the M.A. educational program but also in the culture and history of Russia. They are discovering new places in Moscow and other Russian cities. For example, they have already visited St. Petersburg, Kazan, and the Golden Ring of Russia. From December 6 to 9, American students of the Program also became participants in The Forum of Young Leaders ICE in Salekhard (the Forum is included in the Key action plan with regard to Russia’s chairmanship in the Arctic Council for 2021-2023.) 

For the students of the 6th cohort of the International Dual Degree M.A Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center), the first semester, spent at MGIMO University, is gradually coming to an end. The students have noted the intensive workload – not only in terms of classes but also interactive events organized under the auspices of PIR Center. Various meetings with prominent experts, theorists, and practitioners, as well as constant interaction with PIR Center staff members and experts unite young specialists from different countries under the common goal of jointly promoting nonproliferation knowledge.

“This outing with Dr. Orlov was a good opportunity to combine academic lectures with open discussions and informal gatherings with the cohort. Our discussions allowed us to travel to Russia, France, and Hawaii. I felt that this informal discussion about the program was what we all needed. Getting to know another side of each other”, – Océane Van Geluwe, student of the 6th cohort of the Dual Degree M.A Program in Nonproliferation Studies (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center).

PIR Center is proud to note the successful development of the Dual Degree M.A. Program in Nonproliferation Studies, which time and again brought together bright young specialists from different parts of the globe to contribute to a single goal – studying 
nonproliferation issues and finding ways to solve key problems of global security.

For all questions related to the International Dual Degree M.A Program Global Security, Nuclear Policy and WMD Nonproliferation (MGIMO-MIIS-PIR Center) please reach out to Elena Karnaukhova, Education & Training Program Coordinator, by e-mail  edu@pircenter. org.