On April 22-26, students of Samara University in the field of International Relations Margarita Zhitnova and Elizaveta Malikova had an internship at the ASEAN Center in MGIMO-University the MFA of Russia. The Southeast Asia region and ASEAN are among the scientific interests of the trainees.

Such an opportunity opened for future specialists in the field of international relations thanks to the support of the Primakov Center.

The trip to Moscow of two students contributed to the strengthening of friendly relations between MGIMO and Samara University. Margarita and Elizabeth attended a lecture by Syed Marwan, Associate Professor at the Institute of Islamic Banking and Finance of the International Islamic University of Malaysia, as well as a seminar by Nikita Sergeevich Kuklin, an expert at the ASEAN Center for MGIMO undergraduates. The seminar was dedicated to the culture of Nusantara.

Syed Marwan’s lecture touched upon the development of Islamic banking and Malaysia’s experience. The lecture was attended by representatives of the Malaysian Embassy and experts from Sberbank PJSC. After Syed Marwan’s speech, Sberbank representative Behnam Gurban-zadeh gave a lecture on Islamic banking opportunities for Russia. Despite the fact that it was the first day of the internship at MGIMO, the students had an opportunity not only to listen to the lectures of experts, but also to participate in the organization of the event.

Margarita Zhitnova:

“The internship at the ASEAN Center in MGIMO has become one of the highlights of my student life. During the internship, we managed to get acquainted with the experts and ask the questions we are interested in, which will certainly help us in our further scientific activities. In addition, we were able to attend a seminar for undergraduates of the new field of study “Politics and Economics of the Russia—ASEAN Strategic Partnership” and feel ourselves as a part of MGIMO student life. We thank the experts of the ASEAN Center in MGIMO and Samara University the Regional Centre for the Development of Public Diplomacy and International Relations named after E. M. Primakov for such an excellent opportunity!”

Elizaveta Malikova:

“The trip to Moscow was very productive. At the ASEAN Center, we noted for ourselves new aspects about the Southeast Asian region. We met with experts who helped us figure out the issues we are interested in. In addition, we were able to get acquainted with the master’s students, including students from the Association countries studying ASEAN, and discuss the organization’s activities with them.”