The purpose of the event was to discuss the historical traditions and the prospects for cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan – and the eventual strengthening of the good neighborly relations between these countries.

The event was organized by the VSSPU Center for People's Diplomacy together with the university's International Cooperation Department and its International Education Institute. Organizational support was provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Office in Rostov-on-Don and the Consulate General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Rostov-on-Don.

Among those who took part in the round table, there were local government officials from the administrations of the Volgograd region and the City of Volgograd, members of the "House of Friendship" Volgograd regional public organization and the "Stalingrad Battle" panorama museum. The list of experts and listeners featured teachers and students from Volgograd universities, as well as Uzbekistan students doing their course in our city within the frame of various exchange projects.

The meeting was opened by the VSSPU Rector Prof. Alexander Korotkov who emphasized the experience of cooperation between Volgograd universities of and the universities located in the Republic of Uzbekistan, as well as the prospects for their future development. Next, the Consul General of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Rostov-on-Don Mr. Rustam Kurganbaev spoke to the round table participants about the most topical issues of the cooperation between the two countries and expressed his hope for its successful continuation.

The second secretary of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Representative Office in Rostov-on-Don Ms. Ekaterina Ivanova and the Director of the Department of international, foreign economic, interregional relations and budget planning of the Committee for economic policy and development of the Volgograd region Marina Ogoleva, too, addressed the participants with a their words of greeting.

Further as part of the round table, Ms. Elena Kazantseva, Head of the International cooperation department of Volgograd State Agrarian University, shared her experience in realizing joint Russian-Uzbek research projects involving Volgograd scientists.

Next, the floor was taken by the head of the "Uzbek community of the Volgograd region" Public Organization Mr. Rashid Yusupov who spoke about the community's current projects and activities.

The Chief museum fund keep of the "Stalingrad Battle" panorama museum Mr. Alexander Gaydashev spoke about the contribution that the Uzbek people made to the victory in the Battle of Stalingrad.

Students from Uzbekistan – Parvina Abueva and Shakhnoza Murodova – currently doing their course at the VSSPU Institute of Russian Language and Literature, made a presentation about Volgograd streets named after Uzbekistan.

At the end of the round table, there was some time for an free-topic discussion: the participants spoke about the financial aspects of the development of cultural and academic exchanges; dwelled upon the role of non-profit organizations and civil initiatives in the development of cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan; announced some of the activities to take place in the nearest future and aimed at the strengthening of the youth contacts between Russia and Uzbekistan; discussed bilateral cooperation in the economic, cultural and social spheres.

The meeting's general atmosphere was universally recognized as very positive and friendly.

Let us be reminded that the Center for People's Diplomacy was opened on the platform of VSSPU in December 2021 following an agreement signed between the university and Volgograd administration. Its most important goals are the development and the implementation of people's diplomacy projects, and the facilitation of inter-municipal cooperation meant to contribute to the development of humanitarian ties and promote a positive image of Volgograd and Volgograd State Social and Pedagogical University – both in the territory of the Russian Federation and abroad.

Source:

VSSPU Center for People's Diplomacy,

VSSPU International Cooperation Department,

VSSPU International Education Institute

Photo by: https://podrobno.uz/