The Fourth Forum of Rectors of Russian and Arab Universities
On October 18, the IV Forum of the Federation of Rectors of Russia and Arab Countries was held at the Intellectual Center – Fundamental Library of Moscow University. The forum was co-chaired by Academician V.A. Sadovnichy, President of the Russian Union of Rectors and Rector of Moscow State University, and Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities and Honorary Professor of Moscow State University.
Welcoming the forum participants – more than 50 heads of Russian and Arab universities – V.A. Sadovnichy noted Russia's historically rooted, sustainable, and dynamically growing interest in the Arab countries. Today, this interest is systematically supported by the university community. "Since 2019, our Federation of Rectors of Russian and Arab Universities has become an effective mechanism for developing cooperation and strengthening scientific and educational partnerships between leading universities. And our Rectors' Forums have become a prestigious platform for interaction," said Viktor Antonovich. He added that multifaceted and multilateral cooperation within the Rectors' Federation is an important mechanism for scientific and educational diplomacy between our countries.
The President of the Russian Union of Rectors expressed confidence that the Fourth Forum of the Russian-Arab Rectors' Federation will undoubtedly mark another important step in the development of bilateral and multilateral inter-university relations and a contribution to the successfully developing interstate cooperation between Russia and the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
Speaking about the significance of the forum, Professor Amr Ezzat Salama, Secretary General of the Association of Arab Universities, emphasized that holding this forum reflects the value of cooperation between universities in an era of increasing globalization and accelerated technological progress. "The challenges we face, such as food security, climate change, and technological development, require strong partnerships based on the exchange of experience, as well as investment in achieving sustainable development," Professor Salama said. He warmly thanked Moscow State University for organizing the forum, calling it an outstanding institution with a long history of supporting higher education and scientific research, a global center of innovation and knowledge that fosters the strengthening of academic ties between universities around the world.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister M.L. Bogdanov addressed the forum participants, recalling that our country has always viewed the Arab world as a natural ally, playing a significant role in global affairs and possessing a wealth of political, economic, and cultural potential. "The importance of Arab civilization and its contribution to global science and culture are difficult to overestimate. Achievements in medicine, astronomy, chemistry, and mathematics have brought fame to outstanding scientists from the Arab world," the diplomat said, noting both the enormous potential of Russian-Arab scientific and educational cooperation and its rapid development today. He particularly warmly welcomed the head of the Federation of Arab Universities, Professor Amr Ezzat Salama, citing the friendly relations established between them during his tenure as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Arab Republic of Egypt, when Professor Salama was Egypt's Minister of Education and Science.
On behalf of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Deputy Minister K.I. Mogilevsky addressed the participants of the large-scale rectors' summit with a welcoming address. He noted that Moscow University has recently become an international center for scientific and educational diplomacy, as the forum of university rectors from Russia and Arab countries is the third large-scale event held at the university in recent days. "Our cooperation is of great importance for the development of international economic and political relations and the deepening of integration processes in the context of the emergence of a new, just world order," said the representative of the Ministry of Education and Science. He added that last year, over 30,000 students from Middle Eastern countries studied at Russian universities, and more than 900 inter-university cooperation agreements are being successfully implemented. Arabic is currently taught at 36 Russian universities.
In his plenary address, Academician V.A. Sadovnichy, President of the Russian Union of Scholars and Rector of Moscow University, discussed the development of Arabic studies in Russia, the traditions of Arab studies at Moscow University, and the multifaceted collaboration with universities in the region.
He recalled that Moscow University was founded in 1755 by decree of the Russian Empress Elizabeth Petrovna and will celebrate its 270th anniversary next year. "Today, Moscow University comprises 42 faculties, 15 research institutes, over 100,000 staff and students, and the largest graduate school in the country. We have our own clinic, botanical garden, research stations and observatories in various regions of our country, and three university schools," Viktor Antonovich noted.
The roots of Arabic language study and teaching in Moscow date back to 1815, when the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages was founded. Its traditions are continued today by the Institute of Asian and African Studies at Moscow State University. IAAS faculty members publish Arabic textbooks, monographs, and collections on Quranic studies, history, culture, and contemporary politics of Arab countries. Leaders of Arab countries frequently visited the Soviet Union and the Russian Federation, and Moscow University in particular. Currently, Moscow University actively collaborates with universities and research organizations in Algeria, Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, Iraq, Qatar, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.
"Moscow University, while maintaining traditions and continuity, is developing very dynamically, taking into account all the modern realities and challenges facing our country and society. The University's Board of Trustees is chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Welcoming the participants of the 32nd Arab League Summit, President Putin noted the need to expand multifaceted cooperation between Russia and Arab countries based on the principles of multipolarity, genuine equality, and respect for each other's legitimate interests," emphasized V.A. Sadovnichy.
Academic mobility programs, language internships for Russian students studying Arabic, and joint research laboratories and centers are among the current formats of scientific and educational cooperation between Moscow and Arab universities. A sign of the times was the agreement signed with Prince Mohammed bin Fahd University in Saudi Arabia in May of this year to open a Joint Scientific and Educational Center at Moscow State University, which will teach Arabic. It will also coordinate student and faculty exchange programs and scientific collaboration.
The rector also spoke about the project to create interdisciplinary scientific and educational schools at Moscow State University, the implementation of the university's space program, and the construction of a scientific and technological valley. He confirmed his readiness to integrate the interests of Arab universities into all these major projects, engaging their students, scientists, and industrial partners in the implementation of joint scientific, educational, and innovative programs. A practical example of such collaboration was the CubeSat 1U space mission, developed and implemented by a resident company of the Moscow State University Tech Valley in collaboration with King Saud University in Saudi Arabia. The device, equipped with a camera for imaging Earth from space, was launched in March 2021 and is still operating in orbit.
Another major project of Moscow State University with enormous potential for scalability is the Science Festival. Just last week, Moscow State University hosted a large-scale educational event, including lectures by prominent scientists, exhibitions showcasing high-tech research results, and other science popularization formats.
"Last year, our festival went international. We held it in Uzbekistan and Belarus, and for the first time in a foreign country—China—at our joint university in Shenzhen. This year, the Festival will also be held in Cuba and Kazakhstan. "Let's think about it and perhaps hold a similar festival next year in one of the Arab countries," Viktor Antonovich addressed his colleagues with a proposal for establishing practical cooperation.
Concluding his speech, Academician V.A. Sadovnichy once again thanked the rectors and members of the Arab university delegations participating in the Fourth Forum of the Federation of Rectors of Russian and Arab Universities, expressing confidence in the continuation of their meetings and the already established cooperation at a high level of interaction and mutual interest.