Delegation of East China Normal University

Four employees of the School for Advanced International and Area Studies arrived on August 13th.

The team comprised Dean Liu Jun, Deputy Dean Xiao Huizhong, Research Associate Zheng Runyu, and Professor Sergey Biryukov.

Kazan University was represented by Vice-Rector Linar Latypov, Aide to the Rector Yury Nurmeev, Associate Professor Mariya Yeflova, and Assistant Lecturer Elmira Avzalova.

Dr. Nurmeev showed a brief presentation of Kazan University. Dr. Latypov then outlined his ideas about what the cooperation might look like. He said that it would be best to start with a specific project, preferably in Eurasian studies. If that pans out, a joint lab may be established.

Liu Jun thanked everyone for the hospitality and spoke about his institution. His colleagues Dr. Xiao mentioned that the Center for Russian Studies is indeed very keen on researching the Eurasian Union and has already had one project in that field; his own area of expertise are environmental issues in Russia. Dr. Zheng added that his work is dedicated to the Eurasian Union as well.

Sergey Biryukov, who is a Russian national and an invited professor at ECNU, opined that the two universities should cooperate in student exchange, grant applications in social sciences, and joint publications. The Shanghainese colleagues are ready to help translate the existing papers into the Chinese language.

After the meeting, the guests proceeded to the History Museum. The afternoon is dedicated to talks with the representatives of the KFU Institute of Social and Philosophical Sciences.

Source text: Rufina Gimaletdinova

Translation: Yury Nurmeev