Experts in Asian and African Studies from HSE University–St Petersburg Hold International Russian–Omani Seminar
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.
The main organisers are the Institute of Asian and African Studies at HSE University–St Petersburg and the Centre for Arabic Studies and Humanities at the University of Nizwa. The event gathered about 60 people who participated both offline and online. The presentations and discussions were held in Russian, Arabic, and English.
The welcoming speech at the opening ceremony was given by Milana Iliushina, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Professor, and Head of the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies. She underscored the importance of increasing academic partnerships between Russia and countries in the Middle East and emphasised how important it was to unite skilled experts and young researchers at one venue.
Milana Iliushina
Head of the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies
Almost three years ago, the Institute of Asian and African Studies at HSE University–St Petersburg received the status of an independent educational and scientific unit. Under the leadership of Evgeny Zelenev, Director of the Institute of Asian and African Studies, Professor, Expert in Arab studies and Doctor of Historical Sciences, we entered into a new stage of development of cooperation with the countries of the Middle East. We started to explore opportunities for expanding contacts with universities in the Arab world. It turned out that HSE University didn't have any active agreements with one of the most promising states in the region—the Sultanate of Oman. Negotiations with the University of Nizwa led to signing a cooperation agreement in 2024. In December of the same year, a delegation from HSE University-St Petersburg visited the partner university. We agreed on joint projects: internships, creating a catalogue of Arabic manuscripts and regular research seminars on Arab studies and Omani research, AI, economics, engineering, education, and other areas of mutual interest.
Now we see on the news that Russia and Oman have started a new page in their relations, and it is especially pleasant that HSE University–St Petersburg was among the pioneers who started developing this partnership in the sphere of education and science.
The seminar featured leading specialists in Omani history and culture. Dr Suleiman Al Husseini, Director of the Centre for Arabic Studies and Humanities at the University of Nizwa, presented his report on Christianisation missions to the Sultanate. Dr Nasser Al Saadi, Assistant Professor at the UNESCO Chair on Aflaj Studies at the University of Nizwa, talked about Arabic sources on the history and culture of Oman. Dmitry Mikulsky, Doctor of Historical Sciences, Chief Research Fellow of the Institute of Oriental Studies at the Russian Academy of Science, presented a review of Russian research on the history and culture of Oman.
A separate section of the seminar was devoted to presentations by students and early-career researchers. The event gathered representatives of HSE University's campuses in Moscow and St Petersburg, St Petersburg University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, INION RAN, and the University of Bologna (Italy). They discussed the issues of preserving the cultural heritage of Oman and its national identity, modern literature, and the external policy of the Sultanate and its interaction with the EAEU. After each presentation, the participants actively discussed what they heard, asked questions, and shared their opinions.
Andrey Vovk
5th-year student of the Bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies,' participant of the research seminar
The seminar is not a formal event but a real-life platform where experienced and budding researchers alike can feel like a part of the shared research space. The event proved how important it is to study profoundly the culture and traditions of the country with which we are building partnerships. Without it, establishing a truly steady dialogue is impossible—neither in science nor in business. The better we understand each other, the more respectful and efficient our joint projects will be. This is why it is so valuable that as part of the seminar, young researchers were able to communicate directly with leading specialists from Oman. Such meetings shape not only an academic community but also mutual trust between countries.
In May 2025, HSE University–St Petersburg will host a delegation from the University of Nizwa at International Partners' Week. Negotiations will be held on the development of academic ties in different spheres, including Arabic studies and studies of the history, culture, and society of Oman. Milana Iliushina highlighted that the upcoming visit is a chance for Omani colleagues to learn more about modern scientific and cultural life in Russia. According to the professor, such steps will be the basis for an in-depth understanding between countries and will start a fruitful cooperation between Russian and Omani researchers.
The seminar took place amid very important developments in Russian-Omani relations: the governments of Russia and Oman have signed a visa waiver agreement. The document exchange ceremony took place in the Kremlin after negotiations between Vladimir Putin, President of Russia, and Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, Sultan of Oman. This step will simplify academic exchanges, making joint research and educational projects between universities in the two countries more accessible.