Cooperation prospects with Malaysian partners discussed on Langkawi Island

Rector Lenar Safin is heading a KFU delegation currently visiting the Southeast Asian nation.

The guests took part in the 4th Meeting of the Russian-Malaysian Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation and the 1st Russian-Malaysian Educational Forum. The sides were represented by the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Valery Falkov and the Minister of Higher Education of Malaysia Zambri Abdul Kadira.

Lenar Safin thanked the organizers for a chance to present his take, “Kazan Federal University sees great potential with developing links with Malaysia, both in a bilateral format and as part of partnerships with ASEAN and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. This is in line with strategic interests of Russia and the Republic of Tatarstan; the Head of Tatarstan also chairs the Russia – Islamic World Strategic Vision Group.”

Vice-Rector for International Affairs Timirkhan Alishev then spoke in detail about cooperation projects.

The educational forum united 120 universities, over 50 rectors and head of research institutions. Many joint programs were discussed, including those in Islamic finance, architecture, and other areas.

A proposal was made to open a KFU’s preparatory course in one of leading Malaysian universities. Recently, the Malaysian University English Test, the country’s official admission exam, was included as a recognized admission qualification in Russian universities for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Furthermore, Kazan is going to be the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World in 2026. As part of the year’s festivities, Malaysian partners were offered to organize a festival of Malaysian culture on KFU’s premises.