23.07.2026
Strengthening Academic Ties: Visit of a Delegation of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to RSUH
On July 23, 2026, the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH) was visited by Ms. Sheikh Fatima, Counsellor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The visit is related to her official activities aimed at developing educational contacts, working with Pakistani students enrolled in Russian universities, addressing issues of their studies, expanding quotas, and promoting academic exchange.
The Russian side was represented at the meeting by
· Prof. Vera I. Zabotkina, Acting Vice-Rector for International Cooperation;
· Prof. Vasiliy S. Khristoforov, Director of the Institute for International Relations and Political Science, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS);
· Ms. EkaterinaA. Salnikova, Head of the Coordination and Support Unit for International Activities, Department for International Cooperation;
· Ms Anna V. Khristich, staff member of the International Academic and Research Center for the Russian Language;
· Indira A. Gazieva, staff member of the Educational and Methodological Center for South Asian Studies.
The meeting also discussed the development of joint projects between RSUH and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the extension of agreements with Pakistani universities, and the organization of an exhibition of Pakistani art at RSUH.
Prof. Vera I. Zabotkina showed the guests a presentation of the RSUH international activities, discussed its structure, the Urdu language training provided to Russian students, and international relations related to the South Asian region and, in particular, Pakistan.
Prof. Zabotkina emphasized that before the Covid time, RSUH had been developing academic ties with Pakistan through the International Center for South Asian Studies, which hosts expert meetings and discusses framework agreements.
Practical work included collaboration with the universities of Karachi and Balochistan University in the areas of management, business administration, and regional policy in South Asia. Ambassadors of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan have delivered several lectures to RSUH students. For example, in 2017, His Excellency Mr. Qazi Mohammad Khaliullah visited RSUH to deliver a lecture on Pakistan's foreign policy and its role in the SCO.
Prof. Zabotkina noted that on April 27, 2026, a Cooperation Agreement was signed with the Urdu Federal University of Arts, Science and Technology
Ms. Sheikh Fatima thanked the Russian State University for the Humanities for organizing the meeting and mentioned that on July 22, 2026, Russian Foreign Minister Mr. Sergey Lavrov held talks with Pakistani Foreign Minister Mr. Muhammad Ishaq Dar on the sidelines of ASEAN events, where the two sides reaffirmed the partnership and long-standing trust between our countries. Russia and Pakistan plan to sign a cultural cooperation agreement, as well as an agreement on trade and economic cooperation for the next five years.
Prof. Vasily Khristoforov, Director of the Institute of International Relations and Political Science and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that one of the key areas of research and education at RSUH is the study of the history of international relations and the foreign policies of foreign states, including Pakistan, India, and Afghanistan. Thus his Institute hosts academic conferences, and its staff participates in international academic forums, such as the Russian-Pakistani conference held in May 2026 as part of the "Russia-Islamic World" forum. RSUH highly values the efforts of Pakistani diplomats and military personnel in resolving international conflicts, including Pakistan's mediation role in resolving the conflict between the United States and Iran, which has now lasted more than four months. The Institute of International Relations and Political Science is interested in expanding academic and cultural cooperation with its Pakistani colleagues to jointly study the history, literature, and culture of Russia and Pakistan.
Ms. Indira A. Gazieva, a staff member at the University's South Asia International Center, spoke about the organization of open lectures and roundtable discussions at RSUH between 2010 and 2020, with the participation of Pakistani ambassadors to the Russian Federation and representatives of Pakistani academic circles.
Ms. Anna V. Khristich, a staff member at the International Educational and Scientific Center for the Russian Language, spoke about Russian language study programs for representatives of diplomatic missions from various countries at RSUH.
At the end of the meeting, the Advisor was given a tour of the RSUH museum.
