Dr. Melville made a visit to KFU within the framework of the conference «Contemporary Iranian Studies in Russia and Abroad», representing her research centre and signed a partnership agreement with the Institute of International Relations, History and Oriental Studies

- How do you like Kazan and the University? Is it your first time here?

- I've been in this city 10 years ago to take part in a conference about Iranian Studies. At that time I wasn't impressed as much as I am now. I'm glad I had an opportunity to stroll down Kremlevskaya street and see the Kremlin and the weather was just fine. Kazan modern architecture reminded me of Saint Petersburg, so dear to me ever since I was a child. Conference organizers arranged a tour around the University, we visited the Department of Rare Books and Manus­cripts of Nikolai Lobachevsky Scientific Library. I was more then glad to meet Alsu Arlsanova, who is also an alumni of Faculty of Oriental Studies, St Petersburg University.

- Are you related to Kazan University?

- My grandfather Salakhetdin Mazitov was an alumnus of Kazan Imperial University. He owned a significant manus­cript collection, which was lost during early Soviet years in Central Asia.

- What areas of study are developed in you Center?

- Technically, we do the same things as what the Iranian Centre of KFU does. In addition, Kazan University is a founder of Oriental Studies in Russia, Pembroke College holds the same position in Great Britain. One of our main projects was digitizing Shakhname manus­cript, which was written thousands years ago and many analogous treasures are kept in public and private museums and libraries all over the world. It would be wonderful, if manus­cripts of KFU collection would be presented in our project as well. That would make the University famous not only for professionals of this area, but also for general audience interested in Persian art, history, literature, and culture.

- What do you think about further cooperation with KFU?

- There are a lot of plans. We could start with signing an agreement on mutual activity in research projects, faculty exchange, the organization of conferences, roundtables, lecture courses, and book publication.

Dr. Melville expressed her kindest regards and wished success in all future endeavors to the organizers of the Forum: Ramil Khayrutdinov, Director of the Institute of International Relations, History and Oriental Studies, Valerii Letyaev, Aida Fattakhova, and Alsu Arslanova.