HSE University and Centre of Information and Arabian-Russian Studies Sign Cooperation Agreement

Dr Majed Abdulaziz Al-Turki, Victoria Panova

© HSE University

HSE University has signed a cooperation agreement with the Centre of Information and Arabian-Russian Studies (CIARS) of Saudi Arabia. The agreements reached will contribute to strengthening and advancement of cooperation in the areas of education, research, and culture between HSE University and scientific and educational institutions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

HSE Vice Rector Victoria Panova and Director of the Centre of Information and Arabian-Russian Studies Dr Majed Abdulaziz Al-Turki held a meeting at the university building on Pokrovsky Bulvar. They explored the potential for collaborative efforts in the domains of education, science, and culture. As a result of the meeting, a memorandum of understanding and a cooperation agreement were signed, aimed at enhancing the appeal of educational programmes offered by both parties in the territories of their respective countries.

Victoria Panova

'Today, we have identified potential areas for collaborative efforts between HSE University and CIARS. I am confident that we can accomplish all of this: conduct high-quality bilateral research and collaborate on the publication of scientific papers, leveraging our leading specialists in the relevant scientific fields.'

The first meeting and discussion regarding the potential for cooperation between HSE University and CIARS took place last December during the visit of a delegation led by Vice Rector Victoria Panova to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The Centre of Information and Arabian-Russian Studies is a private organisation registered in Saudi Arabia and an official partner of the International Alliance of BRICS Strategic Projects. The key areas of the centre's activities include a comprehensive study of Russia and CIS countries and efforts aimed at the advancement of Russian-Saudi relations. To date, CIARS has signed 25 cooperation agreements, of which four are with Russian organisations. In addition, the centre has published 55 books in Arabic and Russian, implemented 13 narrowly focused studies, and organised 76 round tables and 28 educational programmes in Russia and the CIS countries.

As a separate mention, Vice Rector Panova emphasised the value of the project 'Mechanisms and factors of stability of socio-political systems of the "Afrasian" macro zone of instability' completed in 2023. The project was implemented within the framework of the HSE Basic Research Programme with the participation of scholars from the Centre for Research and Intercommunication Knowledge of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dr Majed Abdulaziz Al-Turki, having outlined the priority areas for CIARS, expressed willingness to advance mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at promoting the appeal of core educational programmes, as well as Russian language learning programmes offered by HSE University as part of the International Prep Year.

A tour of HSE University's building on Pokrovsky Bulvar was organised for the director of CIARS. He learned more about the history of the university, appreciated the organisation and infrastructure of the campus, and toured the library and the Durasov House, where the signing of the memorandum and cooperation agreement took place. During the tour, Dr Majed Al-Turki noted the convenient navigation around the campus and the library's round-the-clock accessibility for students. However, he mentioned that in Saudi Arabia, HSE University is perceived primarily as an economic university.

‘HSE University is commonly regarded in Arab countries as an institution with a primary focus on economics. Unfortunately, few people are aware that the university offers such a wide array of fields of study, including bachelor's and master's programmes taught in English,' Dr Al-Turki explained, and promised to take steps to ensure that potential applicants in Saudi Arabia receive comprehensive information about HSE University.