The First Federation Forum of Rectors of Russian and Arab Universities

On February 19, in Beirut (Lebanon), Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University, the President of the Russian Rectors' Union, academician V.A. Sadovnichy together with the Secretary General of the Arab Universities Association professor Sultan Abu-Orabi held the first Forum of the Federation of Russian and Arab University Presidents.
The Federation was established on May 16, 2017 with the objective to promote collaboration with universities in the research and educational sectors. The forum started with the welcome address that was delivered by the Minister of education and science of the Russian Federation O.Yu. Vasilieva and the Lebanese Minister of Industry Hussein Hajj Hassan. Representatives of 31 Russian universities, as well as 44 universities from Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Algeria, Somalia, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Egypt, Oman, Kuwait and Palestine participated in the event.
The President of the Russian Rectors' Union, academician V.A. Sadovnichy and the Secretary General of the Arab Universities Association Sultan Abu-Orabi signed the Charter of the Federation of Russian and Arab University Presidents and outlined the crucial issues and targets of the Federation, including strengthening the cooperation between Russian and Arab universities in academic, scientific and cultural fields; the development of joint educational programs including the issuance of a double diploma; creation of joint laboratories, scientific centers and parks, the implementation of academic exchange programs for students, teachers and researchers; the dissemination of the Russian language in the Arab world and the study of Arabic in Russian universities; prospects for students from Arab countries to get an education in Russia on a free basis. The Leaders of Russian and Arab universities signed 25 cooperation agreements at the Forum.