Within the framework of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, agreements have been signed between St Petersburg University and higher educational institutions of Qatar: Hamad bin Khalifa University and Qatar University. The signing ceremony was attended by: Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University; Dr Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President of Qatar University; and Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, President of Hamad bin Khalifa University.   

The agreements imply joint research projects, academic and scientific exchanges, and student exchanges. Additionally, the parties agreed to hold joint conferences, seminars, symposia and lectures. The cooperation will also focus on developing academic projects. This includes designing and implementing joint academic programmes

‘St Petersburg University has a special status, which means broad academic autonomy. This makes it possible to expand the possibilities of cooperation with higher educational institutions throughout the world: the geography of our partner universities currently covers almost all continents. I would like to draw special attention to the fact that it is St Petersburg University that is the cradle of studying Arabic in Russia. We therefore, like no one else, understand the entire educational and cultural potential inherent in cooperation with universities in the Middle East, namely, with the leading educational institutions of Qatar,’ said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University.

‘Cooperation with St Petersburg University is really an immensely important event for us – it means building bridges between Qatar and Russia. We believe education to be an effective medium in intercultural exchange, economics, and in fact the establishment of a better world. And we are looking forward to seeing our students come to St Petersburg, and will be happy to host exchange students in our country,’ noted Dr Ahmad M Hasnah, President of Hamad bin Khalifa University.

‘Qatar University and St Petersburg University have much in common. We are very glad to cooperate with St Petersburg University and are very interested in cooperation, an exchange of ideas, and organising student exchanges, joint conferences and exhibitions. We are looking ahead to the future and expect a lot from our academic and cultural partnership. We greatly appreciate this opportunity,’ emphasised Dr Hassan Rashid Al-Derham, President of Qatar University.

St Petersburg University is one of the largest research and educational centres in Europe and the world. 25,000 students study at the University, and 5,000 academics, including Nobel and Fields laureates, work here. The University scientists are annually listed among the Web of Science (WoS) Highly Cited Researchers.  The University today is an advanced research centre. It includes more than 15 large laboratories, the Institute of Translational Biomedicine, the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies, and 24 resource centres that are part of the leading Research Park in Russia.   The St Petersburg University Research Park has unique technological capabilities in Russia and in a number of areas globally.