Development of International Relations in Saudi Arabia
The academic staff members of Belgorod State Technological University named after V.G. Shukhov visited Saudi Arabia as part of the Russian delegation at the invitation Eurasian and African Peoples’ Assembly headed by the Deputy Secretary General of the Assembly Yulia Petrova. The purpose of the visit was to develop a plan for further cooperation.
The flagship university of Belgorod region was represented by the Vice-Rector for International Activities, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Ruslan Lesovik and Deputy Director of the Center for International Education and Cooperation Allaham Yaser Seyfiddin.
The main topic of discussion was the joint opening of a network university with the support of the Eurasian and African Peoples’ Assembly. To this end, it is planned to combine the efforts of Russian universities and create a center for Russian science together with foreign partners. In the future, it is planned to introduce a double degree program.
"The Russian Federation and Saudi Arabia are striving to strengthen relations in all areas, including education. We also look at the Arab Gulf countries as future strategic partners," Allaham Yaser Seifiddin noted.
The new educational institution is expected to open in the city of Al-Khobar in eastern Saudi Arabia. The corporation providing the premises has a long history, dating back to the 1940s, and considerable experience in education and business.
"During our visit, we met with an adviser to the Minister of Education of Saudi Arabia and the head of a company that is ready to invest in educational activities. We looked at the center where, as we assume, the university will be, discussed the issue of training personnel and work on other projects," Allaham Yaser Seifiddin said.
In addition to creating a new educational institution, cooperation with the corporation includes organizing advanced training courses for employees at their institute and opening a Russian language center named after V. G. Shukhov at a school founded by the company. Classes are taught in English, and 65% of students are citizens of other countries. Within a month, a lecturer will be sent there to equip the educational institution with everything necessary to begin classes.
"Our goal is to spread Russian culture and the Russian language so that educational institutions have a Russian program, a Russian curriculum, and a Russian system of training," emphasized Vice-Rector for International Affairs Ruslan Lesovik.
The university plans to begin teaching in the field of "economics" in September 2025. There is a lot of work to be done, but neither side wants to postpone the implementation of the projects.
