KFU and Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia hold session at KazanForum 2026
Russia’s cooperation with Islamic countries in science and higher education was discussed
The event was organized by KFU’s International 每日大赛.
Participating were: Abdelaziz Konsowa, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt; Noureddine Ouadah, Minister of Knowledge Economy, Startups, and Microenterprises of Algeria; Mohamed Takala, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the State of Libya; Airat Gatiyatov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation; Muhammad Iqbal Choudhary, General Coordinator of the Standing Committee for Scientific and Technical Cooperation of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC-COMSTECH); Andrey Belyaninov, Secretary General of the Assembly of the Peoples of the World; and university rectors. KFU was represented at the event by Timirkhan Alishev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs.
The session aimed to identify and discuss key areas for developing cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world in science and higher education in a multipolar world order. Colleagues discussed which joint educational and scientific projects can be expected to yield the greatest synergistic effects in the coming years. The event was moderated by Ambassador for Education and Science and Director of the Russian-Arab Center for Cultural and Business Cooperation Al-Jundi Waddah Muhammad.
Ayrat Gatiyatov emphasized that Russia’s dialogue with the Islamic world is rapidly gaining momentum. He emphasized that nurturing the next generation and working with youth play a key role.
In addition, a grant support system for talented young people was launched last year. This includes travel expenses to and from their place of study in Russia, accommodation, medical insurance, and an increased monthly stipend. The academic mobility program with universities in OIC countries is expanding. Gatiyatov announced that more than 27,000 people have participated in the student exchange.
The Deputy Minister also discussed efforts to attract promising young researchers to further their careers in Russia, specifically the mega-grant program and support for applied research by both domestic and international scientific organizations.
The discussion focused on issues such as academic exchange, collaborative research, the development of educational programs that take into account cultural and religious specificities, the digitization of the educational space, and the creation of network universities.
The Libyan representative emphasized that cooperation between Russia and the Islamic world, particularly in the academic and scientific spheres, has laid the foundation for strong relations. He believed that the diversity of scientific schools and various research methods create an environment more conducive to discovery.
Minister Noureddine Ouadah noted that the time has come to develop domestic technologies that align with cultural and religious specificities.
Timirkhan Alishev informed the participants that over 80 percent of international students at KFU are from OIC countries.