17 September – Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM) is delighted to welcome a visit from Dr. Eugenia Kukushkina from Moscow State University and Mr. Aleksandr Zimin (representative from the Russian Embassy) to exchange ideas and insights on the development of Russian language education in Malaysia and Malay language education in Russia.

According to Dr. Eugenia, who serves as the Head of the Philology Department there, there has been a warm reception by foreign students in learning the Malay language at Moscow State University.

I have over 30 years of experience teaching Malay language courses at the university level, including a three-year stint at the University of Malaya (UM). I see students enthusiastic and joyful about learning the Malay language, and I am committed to ensuring that they can proficiently speak Malay for daily communication,” she said.

In addition, Dr. Eugenia also hopes that the Core Studies Center (PPT) will establish an MoU with Moscow State University and collaborate on initiatives such as inviting visiting lecturers, academic talks, and facilitating international student exchange programs at USIM. This is aimed at attracting international students at USIM to learn Malay throughout their studies here.

At the same time, Mr. Khairil Azwan, Senior Assistant Secretary-General, International Relations Division, Ministry of Higher Education (KPT), also supports the collaboration between USIM and Moscow State University, provided it brings benefits to both parties.

USIM’s collaboration with Russia is a follow-up to the working visit and strategic discussions by the Vice-Chancellor of USIM, YBhg Prof Dato’ Ts Dr Sharifuddin Mohd Shaarani, to the Kazan Forum and the partnership with Kazan Federal University on May 18th earlier this year.

Also present in the discussion with Dr. Eugenia were Mr. Khairil Azwan bin Abu Mansor and Mr. Padmarajah a/l Selvarajah, Senior Assistant Secretaries, International Relations Division, Ministry of Higher Education.