The longstanding 19-year collaboration between Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL) and the Russian government is set to deepen with an enhanced partnership involving The Pushkin State Russian Language Institute.
The Moscow-based institute, renowned for its expertise in teaching Russian as a foreign language, is set to broaden its scope by offering language programmes at UniKL.
These initiatives may include special short courses, the establishment of a dedicated language centre, or the integration of Russian as a foreign language module.
The Rector of The Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Mr. Nikita V. Gusev expressed confidence that UniKL would become a regional hub for Russian language studies.
“UniKL has a strong history of collaboration with Russian industry partners and universities. With more than 80,000 Russians visiting Malaysia, the Russian government must strengthen cultural, literary, and linguistic ties.
“It is time to build this partnership with UniKL, given its extensive network of campuses and its historical collaboration with the Russian government and the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI),” said Mr. Gusev during an engagement session at the UniKL City Campus on December 12.
The Russian delegation included Mr. Daniil L. Sin, Deputy Vice-Rector for International Cooperation at The Pushkin State Russian Language Institute; Mr. Daniil D. Gramotin, Deputy Head of the Department for State Policy in Higher Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation; Mr. Emil I. Zalalutdinov, Deputy Head of the Administrative Department; Ms. Tarchokova Asiat, Deputy Director of The Russian House; and Dr. Hjh. Azuraida Shahadan, Director of Drazu Academy International.
Representing UniKL were Prof. Ir. Dr. Azman Senin, President/Chief Executive Officer; Prof. Ir. Dr. Azmi Hassan, Deputy President (International, Industrial & Institutional Partnership); Dr. Nadia Razali, Director of UniKL International Office (UIO); as well as top management members and representatives from UniKL Malaysian Institute of Aviation Technology (UniKL MIAT).
Notably, UniKL MIAT is the only UniKL institution currently offering Russian as a foreign language through its partnership with MAI.
Prof. Ir. Dr. Azman highlighted the significance of expanding Russian language studies to other UniKL institutes, especially following Malaysia’s recent designation as a partner country in Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (BRICS) bloc in October.
“This is the perfect time to enhance our collaboration and take it to a new level,” he said.
