Malaysian-Russian ties to further academic knowledge

ACADEMICS and researchers at University of Malaya (UM) are set to have access to the vast material on Islamic studies and social sciences research available at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties.

The framework of the agreement covers student and academic and administrative exchanges; joint research activities; exchange of publications, reports and other academic materials and information; and sharing of activities and programmes in areas of mutual interest.

Acting UM Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences dean Associate Professor Dr Hanafi Hussin said though the faculty and the Academy of Islamic Studies are the university’s anchor entities in the collaboration, future activities with the institution could be undertaken universitywide.

“For Malaysians, what we know of Russia is only through the eyes of the media. With this MoU we get to tap into the institute’s expertise on the history of the spread of Islam in Russia. Beyond that the institute is a research centre where history and culture, economics and politics, languages and literature of Asian and North African countries are studied,” he said.

Dr Vladimir Sautov, deputy director for development at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said the MoU marked the creating of a proper platform be-

We’ll offer new areas of research as well as the expertise of our professors so that we can work on important issues of mutual interest.

VLADIMIR SAUTOV

Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences deputy director for development tween the two sides to begin work.

“Both parties have accumulated great experience in different research. We have an excellent library of manuscripts exceeding one million pieces. We would like UM representatives to be our guests in events related to our 200th-year anniversary of Oriental studies that will be held in Moscow next month. It will be a good opportunity for UM to be introduced to the community of Russian scientists,” he said.

Sautov first visited Malaysia in 1997 and spent considerable time here. He also has much admiration for UM as an eminent university.

“On our side, we’ll offer new areas of research as well as the expertise of our professors so that we can work on important issues of mutual interest,” he added.

Hanafi said that by having the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences anchoring the MoU on behalf of UM, the Russian institution can leverage on networks that UM is member of, such as the Asean University Network.

“The focus is on research and publication — the experts in the field of social sciences can