HSE University-St Petersburg Develops Research and Academic Cooperation with Oman
A delegation from HSE University-St Petersburg headed by Director Anna Tyshetskaya has paid a working visit to Oman. One of the main items on the itinerary was negotiations with Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, the Minister of Higher Education of Oman, on key areas of cooperation and the organisation of exchange programmes for HSE students and faculty.
The minister explained that for the educational system of Oman, 'it is essential to combine modern technologies and social sciences.' She believes that another priority task is developing an interdisciplinary approach and combining different qualifications. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi considers this approach important for science and research as well.
'If you engage in basic sciences, in the future, the research results will be used in spheres which cover lots of life areas. This is why we are very interested in the experience and best practices of HSE University, in particular, in the field of artificial intelligence,' she says.
The parties also discussed the launch of student exchange programmes in the sphere of the Arabic language. The minister expressed a readiness to develop joint master's and PhD programmes as well as organise mirror laboratories. In turn, the director of HSE University-St Petersburg announced that as part of this cooperation, she would provide ten scholarships for Omani students.
'The Middle East is an important area in the international activities of HSE University-St Petersburg. It's important for us to create the widest possible range of opportunities for our students to study their chosen track. That is why we see student exchange with leading Omani universities as a good practice for students of both countries. We will definitely continue working in this direction,' Anna Tyshetskaya stated.
Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi supported the initiative and highlighted the importance of the partnership with HSE University. She invited HSE University to participate in Oman's largest research-academic conference next February and tell leading Omani universities about HSE's activities.
'In values and lifestyle, Oman has much more in common with Russia than with European countries and America. I'm sure that cooperation between our countries will be fruitful. I hope to see representatives of HSE University at the February conference to show them the leading universities and colleges in Oman,' Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi explained.
The delegation from HSE University-St Petersburg also visited the University of Nizwa and Sultan Qaboos University, the leading university in Oman. At the University of Nizwa (whose rector invited HSE University to visit Oman), the parties discussed areas of mutual interest, including artificial intelligence, computer engineering, economics and management, art and humanitarian sciences, education, electronics, and engineering.
At Sultan Qaboos University, which ranks 8th in the QS rating among Arabic countries and 362nd in the global ranking, the universities discussed forms of cooperation in such spheres as Arab studies, artificial intelligence, and physics. The key area in which the parties plan to start active student exchanges is Arab studies. Milana Iliushina, Head of the Department of Middle Eastern and African Studies at the Institute of Asian and African Studies, noted that an important topic of the negotiation was student exchange and plans for research cooperation.
'The development of Asian and African Studies is one of the priority directions for HSE University-St Petersburg. An internship in a modern country which still manages to maintain Eastern traditions will be of special interest to students of the Bachelor's in Asian and African Studies. The Sultanate of Oman is among the safest countries in the world. It maintains political, economic and social stability, and the nature and climate here are uniquely diverse. The University of Nizwa in Oman is ready to do everything necessary to host international students and immerse them in the language environment,' says Milana Iliushina. 'The Institute of the Arabic Language offers short-term and half-yearly exchange programmes with full immersion in the history and culture of the country. This partnership will be extremely valuable to us.'
