Russian Alumni Can Be A Catalyst To Strengthening Russia-ASEAN Ties

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Bernama) -- The inaugural World of Opportunities: Russia-ASEAN International Business Forum highlighted various collaborative efforts in education as a catalyst for cooperation, including the role of the Russian graduates' alumni association as a bridge between Russia and the region.

Honorary Consul of Russia in Penang Teoh Seng Lee proposed for Malaysia to form its own Russian graduates’ alumni association.

He also proposed the eventual formation of a Russian graduates' alumni association at the ASEAN level.

“It is time to seriously organise and support the formation of Russian graduate alumni associations throughout ASEAN, the potential is enormous.

“Malaysia can initiate the Russian graduates’ alumni association during its ASEAN chairmanship next year,” he told Bernama after taking part in a panel discussion entitled ‘Education as a Bridge between Russia and ASEAN countries: How do universities and alumni communities boost ties?’ here Wednesday.

According to Teoh, education strengthens bonds between nations and it is the most powerful tool in soft diplomacy.  The United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and New Zealand have benefitted immensely both politically and financially from the hundreds of thousands of students who have been the bridges between them and ASEAN. 

He highlighted that Russian university alumni in Cambodia and Laos have risen to influential government positions within their nations and ASEAN.

Meanwhile Russia’s largest private university, Synergy University Rector Artem Vasiliev during the panel discussion said the university’s plan in Southeast Asia includes setting up a Russian educational hub in Malaysia. 

He said the educational hub would serve as an entry point and support services centre for Malaysian students going to Russia. 

According to a media release distributed at the event, Russia’s Deputy Industry and Trade Minister Alexey Gruzdev highlighted that Russia is actively engaging with ASEAN countries to strengthen collaborations in sectors such as medicine and nuclear energy. He noted that promising discussions in these areas are already in progress.

The two-day forum, which concluded today, was organised by the Roscongress Foundation. Established in 2007 by a decree from the President of the Russian Federation, the foundation is a non-financial development institution focused on strengthening Russia’s economic potential and enhancing its international reputation.

-- BERNAMA