MFA Russia is Ready to Support ASU Projects

Konstantin Markelov, the Acting Rector of Astrakhan State University, and Olga Egorova, the Director of the Project Office of International Cooperation and Development, participated in a number of bilateral meetings with top officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia.

All the scheduled meetings were quite productive. The ASU Rector described in detail the university projects and received approval and support. The most significant meeting was with Grigory Karasin, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Merited Worker of the Diplomatic Service of the Russian Federation and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Konstantin Markelov told Mr. Karasin about Astrakhan State University, its students and projects with international partners, dwelling on cooperation with the Caspian states. During the conversation, the parties also discussed the issue of staffing. Konstantin Markelov stressed that ASU is ready to become a training centre of the MFA in Southern Russia and the Caspian region. It can be said that the university already performs this function by a number of parameters and works with MFA departments in specific target plans: for example, MA students of the Caspian Higher School of Interpreting and Translation take traineeships at the MFA, and there are ASU alumni among the Ministry specialists.

Grigory Karasin fully endorsed ASU activities and assured that he considers Astrakhan State University as an important partner. He stressed that ASU graduates’ employment at the MFA will be supported. Besides, the Deputy Minister will monitor ASU initiatives, connected with increasing international cooperation, as well as all specific projects, mentioned during the meeting.

The delegation of Astrakhan State University also met with Igor Bratchikov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation and Ambassador-at-Large of the MFA Russia. The parties discussed different issues, connected with the Caspian region and the university’s activities on developing cooperation with the neighbouring countries. Igor Bratchikov expressed his support of ASU Caspian activities. Astrakhan State University can become an academic centre of gravity in the Caspian region and the main point of international cooperation development.

Another significant meeting was held with Aleksey Fedorov, Advisor to the Minister, Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the second class and Deputy Director of the Linguistic Support Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. By the way, this very Department recently organized a traineeship for MA students of the Caspian Higher School of Interpreting and Translation. Aleksey Fedorov commended the level of our students who performed decently in comparison with other student groups, including ones from MGIMO and MSU.

The ASU delegation also held other important meetings, which will be described in the following article.