LAHORE - Punjab University and People’s Friendship University Moscow, a leading and one of the largest universities of Russia, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to provide scholarships to talented students of Punjab University. The agreement carries much significance in the wake of the growing bilateral relations between Pakistan and Russia.
The MoU signing ceremony, held at the Vice Chancellor’s office on Tuesday, was attended by Vice Chancellor Prof Niaz Ahmad Akhtar, People’s Friendship University (RUDN) Pro-Rector Dr Efremova Larissa, Head of the Office for European and American Countries Ms Anastasia V. Gurova, PU Director External Links Dr Sobia Khurram and deans of various faculties.
Under the agreement, the University of Russia will provide scholarships to the promising students of Punjab University.
Addressing the ceremony, Dr Efremova Larissa said that she had come to Pakistan to promote bilateral cooperation with Pakistani universities. She said that she was very happy to know about the progress in the international ranking of various faculties of Punjab University. “We want Pakistani students to study at our university,” she said, adding that she wanted to start summer school programs in Russia for the students of Punjab University.
Dr Efremova expressed hope that both the universities would soon launch exchange programmes for teachers and students. She said that she was making efforts to promote linkages with the Pakistani, Iranian and Turkish universities. She said that Lahore was a beautiful city and it was great to be here.
Prof Niaz Ahmed said that Punjab University was promoting academic relations with Russia and the Central Asian states. He said the agreement with the Russian university would boost relations between the two countries. He said that high-quality higher education was being imparted at Russian universities and therefore Pakistani universities must develop relations with Russian universities to get benefit from their advanced knowledge and experiences. The PU VC said that efforts must be made to resolve the issue of accreditation of degrees from Russian universities and formalities must be fulfilled in this regard. He said that the arrival of a delegation from a leading Russian university was a very significant step and PU warmly welcomed it. He expressed the hope that both the universities would benefit from each other and promote relations between the countries.
He also stressed the need to promote people-to-people contact between the two nations.
Later, souvenirs were exchanged. Earlier, the Russian delegation visited PU Library where Dr Efremova Larisa praised the infrastructure, rare manuscripts and Urdu translation of Russian literature.