Timur Akulov Lecture Room opens at the Institute of International Relations

The memorial room opening was visited by the late statesman’s relatives.

Timur Akulov (1953 – 2018) was one of the founders of Tatarstan’s international cooperation apparatus and is today often called ‘the first Tatarstani diplomat’.

A graduate of the Faculty of Eastern Studies of Leningrad State University, Akulov was perfectly suited for managing international cooperation at a province with sizable Tatar Muslim population. Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Rais of Tatarstan Eduard Khabibullin notes, “He left a number of students who continue his work. We really learned from him. Akulov was a true statesman, patriot, scholar, and diplomat. His contribution really amounts to that of not one but many people.”

Farida Akulova, Timur Akulov’s widow, thanked the University for commemorating her late spouse and wished students the best in their endeavors.

After the ribbon cutting cerermony, Professor Ildar Nasyrov gave a lecture on Akulov’s life and professional achievements and presented an exposition of memorabilia.

After graduating in Leningrad and spending several years in Yemen, Akulov was hired as a librarian at Kazan University in 1982 and then as assistant lecturer. From 1988 to 1991, he was a guest lecturer at the Institute of Social Sciences of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen. After serving as Counselor to the President of Tatarstan from 1991 to 1995, he was Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs of Tatarstan from 1995 till 2011. After that, Akulov also served one term as member of the lower chamber of Russian parliament, the State Duma.