Soviets Study N.Z. Farms

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30274, 29 October 1963, Page 14

Soviets Study N.Z. Farms

(H2. Press Association) DUNEDIN, October 28. Russians are particularly interested in New Zealand agriculture, according to Professor K. Ivanov, a pro-rector of Moscow University, who is visiting Dunedin. Professor Ivanov, who is making his second visit to the Dominion, is president of ttie U5.5.R.-New Zealand Society, the purpose of which is to help Russians become acquainted with this country He said membership is spread through the professions and in all classes. He knew of at least two collective farms. In widely separated areas, which were interested in our agricultural methods. Among the indi-

vidual members were a ballerina who had been here, and scientists who had met members of New Zealand Antarctic expeditions Moscow University founded by Mikhail Lomonosov in 1755. was the oldest educational institution in the U.S.S.R, Professor Ivanov said. In its 14 faculties there were 200 chairs. Among the more than 30,000 stuaente there were more than 2000 from 80 foreign countries. Students from the Soviet States spoke more than 60 languages, but teaching was in Russian. As a pro-rector, the equivalent of a vicechancellor in a New Zealand university. Professor Ivanov supervises the faculty of geography. It has 14 chairs and about 1000 students. He said that throughout the U.S.S.R. there were 800 institutions at the university level attended by three million of the total population of 230 million. Mr Lebedev, who inter-

preted, is a scientific worker of the Institute of World Economics and International Relations of the U.S.SJL Academy of Sciences. His particular field is the history of the older members of the British Commonwealth since World War H. His work was in the nature of pure research but hie findings were published in books and magezines. Mr Lebedev said that he had been moat interested to mew members of the staff of Auckland University and gratified by their interest in the USSR. He and Protestor Ivanov had visited Russian classes an Rangitoto College in Auckland, and had been impressed by the standard displayed. Both expressed their delight at the friendly reception they had had in New Zealand and at the interest shown in their country. Tomorrow they will visit the University of Otago before returning to the North Island.