Kazan University Plans to Promote Ibero-American Studies
Rector Ilshat Gafurov and Acting Director of the Institute of Latin America of RAS Violetta Tayar served as signatories of a cooperation agreement on April 29th.
Rector Gafurov greeted the guests by introducing KFU and its latest priorities. He said, “What you do is very important for us. It is known that Latin America has significant oil reserves, and our scientists have already made contact with the companies there. There is a task that we have posed for ourselves – to create a situational center where forecasts can be made about the development of important countries. That way we can make recommendations and shrewd decisions”. He also said that KFU is very interested in establishing jointly run departments on its premises. In that spirit, only recently an agreement was signed with JINR, and another one with State Hermitage is under preparation. Also, cooperation with RIKEN has been very successful for some time now.
Dr. Tayar responded, “I want to thank you for your interest. Institute of Latin America can offer a large database and its experience of working with Latin America, local companies and governments. Our Institute is a part of the international community of Latin American researchers. We are glad that KFU has formed interest in our work. This was especially evident during a seminar we held at the Institute of International Relations, History and Oriental Studies. I have to note that Kazan University has good students. They answered correct and elaborate questions”.
The cooperation agreement mentions joint projects. One of the first steps is opening a joint chair at Kazan University. It can tackle a wide variety of humanitarian and technological issues. Suffice it to say that KFU has already started work with Venezuela, Colombia, and Cuba. SAU EcoOil and the Institute of Geology and Petroleum Technologies have set in motion their undertakings in heavy oil extraction.
Among other points mentioned in the agreement:
- Exchange of scientific information and co-authored publications;
- Publications by KFU authors in ILA journals;
- Consultation and assistance to postgraduates and doctoral candidates of KFU who specialize in Ibero-American studies;
- Joint scientific events;
- Cooperation in modernizing student curricula and courses;
- Evaluation of degree dissertations, internships for advanced studies.
Director of IIRHOS KFU Ramil Khayrutdinov summarized, «This area will now become another growth point for KFU. This is a large civilizational domain that was actually well developed at KFU even during Imperial Russia times. Now we have certain experts but don’t have systematic work. Latin America has become a zone of special interest for Russia during these last years. It’s time to open a joint chair».
Thus, Ibero-American studies will be another priority for IIRHOS along with Islam and Oriental studies.
