HR0354 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0354 LRB101 12363 MST 60346 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to commend the partnership between Illinois State University and Vladimir State University and its President, Rector Saralidze; and

WHEREAS, Founded in 1958, Vladimir State University (VSU) is a large scientific-educational institution in the center of Russia with more than 20,000 students, including 1,000 foreign citizens; since 1968, the University has been training specialists for foreign countries, and graduates work in 46 countries; the University recently won a competition organized by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and has been granted the status of the Flagship University of the Vladimir Region; only 33 universities in Russia have such status; and

WHEREAS, Illinois State University's first student-led trip to Vladimir State University was in 2015; ISU has taken students each May since then; a total of 34 students from the School of Kinesiology and Recreation have participated in this experience; students have also traveled to Vladimir State University with the College of Education; and

WHEREAS, Illinois State University partners with Vladimir State University's Institute of Physical Culture and Sport, which provides education in majors very similar to Illinois State's School of Kinesiology and Recreation; and

WHEREAS, Illinois State University's relationship with Vladimir State University is a direct result of activities supported and hosted by the Vladimir-Canterbury Sister Cities Association (VCSCA); their partnership has been awarded multiple Open World grants on various topics, including one on special education topics, hosted by Illinois State, that led to involvement from the University's College of Education, as well as one on agriculture, which led to involvement from the University's Department of Agriculture; and

WHEREAS, Illinois State University will host an Open World exchange that will allow for a few faculty from Vladimir State to visit and discuss educational best practices; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we commend the partnership between Illinois State University and Vladimir State University and wish them many successful years; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to Illinois State University and Vladimir State University President Rector Saralidze as an expression of our esteem and respect.