In March – April 2010, Dr. Natalia Smirnova, Assistant Professor of Business and Economics at the College of Mount Saint Vincent, participated in the US Embassy Policy Specialist [12] program. US Consulate in Vladivostok requested Dr. Smirnova’s expertise to study the current and future state of economic development in the Russian Far East and ways to attract US businesses and investors to the region.
In addition to her research responsibilities, Dr. Smirnova got actively involved in the community life in Vladivostok. On March 23, 2010 she addressed more than 50 young adults at the Lingua-Plus Language School on the differences between the Russian and American educational systems, and on grant writing opportunities for Russian high school students. The participants enthusiastically asked questions, and formed small groups to work on interactive exercises prepared by the speaker.
Dr. Smirnova’s research findings were put into practice at the roundtable, discussing “Problems and Perspectives of Russian-American Business” that took place on April 6, 2010. The roundtable attracted more than 40 participants representing diplomatic community, regional and local government, academia and the business sector. Consul General Tom Armbruster welcomed the participants and highlighted the positive relationship between Russia and America. The discussion primarily focused on the potential of establishing joint ventures, opportunities for investment cooperation, and barriers to trade. The event participants developed a series of practical recommendations on the improvement of Russian-American economic cooperation that will be submitted to the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Consulate General.
To learn more about Dr. Smirnova’s research activities in Vladivostok, please visit:
http://www.konkurent.ru/list.php?id=782 [13]
http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov/smirnova.html [14]
http://vladivostok.usconsulate.gov/vgues_rndtable.html [15]