Today, on January 18, 2013, the first Russian Research-and-Training Centre for Turkey Study officially opened in the Institute of Oriental Studies and International Relations of KFU.
The Centre has been organized in the framework of implementation of the Program for development of the Institute of Oriental Studies and International Relations of KFU under the auspices of Yunus Emre Institute (Ankara) and the Consulate General of the Republic of Turkey in Kazan. Recall that the Agreement on Establishment of the Centre for Turkey Study was signed between the two institutes in September, 2012 and implies implementation of joint research-and-training projects in the aforementioned sphere.
The following persons attended the opening ceremony: Consul-General of the Republic of Turkey in Kazan, Mr. Angyly Sabri Tunch, a representative of Yunus Emre Institute (Ankara), a teacher of the Department of Turkic Philology of KFU, Mr. Ikhsan Demirbash, the President of KFU, Mr. Myaksyum Salakhov, Vice-Rector of KFU for International Relations, Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies and International Relations of KFU, Mr. Linar Latypov, Head of the Department of Turkic Philology, Ms. Asiya Rakhimova, and the Head of the Division of International Relations, Mr. Yakov Grishin.
According to the Director of the Institute of Oriental Studies and International Relations, the Centre has been organized with a view to study not only the Turkish language and culture, but also social life, economics, banking system, history, archaeology, international relations and politics of this country. Thanks to Yunus Emre Institute certain premises have already been equipped for studies in the fields specified above.
The President of KFU, Mr. Myaksyum Salakhov, drew attention of the audience to the fact that the Institute of Oriental Studies had formerly occupied only one room, and then it had a whole building in its disposal! He also told about the history of Oriental Studies development in Kazan University and expressed hope that the Centre would make a contribution to relations actively developing between Russia and the Republic of Turkey.
Mr. Angyly Sabri Tunch, in his turn, underlined growing importance of closer relations between Russia and Turkey. He also emphasized that Russia occupied the second place among foreign partners of Turkey and that Tatarstan was playing an active part in this process.
The representative of Yunus Emre Institute, Mr. Ikhsan Demirbash, assured all attendees that about 2500 book devoted to various fields of science and art would be supplied to the fund of the Centre for Turkey Study in the nearest time, and anyone interested in Turkey studying would have an opportunity to use this library.
In conclusion of welcoming speeches students of the Department of Turkic Philology of the Institute of Oriental Studies and International Relations rose to speak. Of course, they spoke the Turkish language and expressed a hope that the Centre would introduce innovations into student life and Turkey would become closer to all of them.