Institute of Asian and African Studies

The International Partners Week 2025 became one of the most important international events of the year for the Institute for Asian and African Studies at HSE University-St Petersburg. After five days of the forum, experts in Asian and African studies from HSE University-St Petersburg held negotiations with representatives of 18 global universities from Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, signed important agreements and shaped the directions for international cooperation in the future. Professor Evgeny Zelenev, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies, shares the results of IPW-2025.

HSE University-St Petersburg hosted an open lesson on the Vietnamese language for students of 'Asian and African Studies' in the framework of the International Partners' Week and the V Festival of the Vietnamese language.

HSE University–St Petersburg has held the first 'Studies of Oman in Russia: New Directions for Scientific Research' international research seminar. The event gathered researchers from Russia, Oman, and Europe and served as a platform for an open academic dialogue.

An HSE delegation, led by Rector Nikita Anisimov, visited China for negotiations with the administration of the country’s top universities. The parties agreed to expand bilateral scientific and educational collaboration and signed several documents. In particular, a strategic partnership agreement was established with Peking University, one of the oldest and most prestigious educational institutions in China.

Language internships provide essential training for experts in Middle Eastern studies. Students of HSE University–St Petersburg can complement their studies by immersing themselves in the language environment and culture of the relevant region. Find out more about internships in Morocco from bachelor's students of the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies.

As part of a trip to Japan in March 2025, a delegation from HSE St. Petersburg, led by Campus Director Anna Tyshetskaya, visited a number of major universities in Japan: Sofia University (Tokyo), Hosei University (Tokyo), Tokai University (Tokyo), Kwansei University (Kobe), Osaka University (Osaka) and others. The delegation from the Institute of Asian and African Studies included the head of the Department of Japanese Studies Olga Klimova and senior lecturer Artyom Klimov.

The delegation of the Institute of Asian and African Studies consisting of the Director of the Institute Evgeny Zelenev, Deputy Directors Elena Soboleva and Maria Soloshcheva visited Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies - the largest centre of contemporary and classical Oriental Studies in Central Asia.

Interpreting at international forums, accompanying delegations, and informal communication with native speakers—students of the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies (HSE University-St Petersburg) gain experience starting from the first year of bachelor's studies. What is the system of volunteer practice like and what opportunities does it open up for future specialists in international affairs? Read on to find out more.

Milana Iliushina, Head of the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies, visited the Sultanate of Oman as part of an official delegation from HSE University. The colleagues negotiated with Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouki, Minister of Education of Oman, on key areas of cooperation. They also met with the management of Nizwa University and Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat.

This year, the Department of Japanese Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies continues to establish contacts with various universities in Japan within the framework of educational, pedagogical and scientific cooperation. Students of the department regularly visit educational institutions in Japan for exchange studies.