Scientists of ASU and leading universities of Gujarat (India) discussed cooperation projects

Today, Astrakhan hosted a video conference between Astrakhan State University and partner universities of Gujarat (Republic of India) with the Participation of representatives of the Embassy of the Republic of India to Russia and the Government of Gujarat.

In his welcoming speech, Deputy Chief of Mission of India to Russia Binaya Srikanta Pradhan noted that good conditions for cooperation with Astrakhan and its leading University were outlined back in 2001 and developed in 2006, when the current Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, who was then Chief Minister of Gujarat, visited Astrakhan. Also, representatives of Astrakhan region have repeatedly visited India.

"Astrakhan plays a key role in the development of International North-South Transport Corridor" Binaya Srikanta Pradhan said. "We highly value projects in the field of education and are ready to support both Astrakhan University and Indian universities."

Rector of Astrakhan state University Konstantin Markelov: “ASU and leading universities in India have a long-standing close partnership”.

"I remember very warmly the meetings with my colleagues at the Global summit "Vibrant Gujarat", communication with Prime Minister Mr. Modi, colleagues from Indian universities. The agreements that we reached during our trips to India should be implemented in our joint research and educational projects".

In particular, the rector of ASU proposed to return to the idea of creating a center for Russian-Indian scientific research and study of Hindi language in Astrakhan. According to Konstantin Markelov, interest in these areas in the South of Russia, and in particular in Astrakhan region, is high.

Ilya Toropitsyn, Deputy head of the Astrakhan region Foreign Affairs Agency:

"Over the past 20 years, Astrakhan region has been actively developing relations with Gujarat. We have repeatedly exchanged business delegations and participated in forums. The agenda includes the development of transport links, cooperation in the field of mechanical engineering, informatization, education, and tourism. These and other areas need to be developed with the help of science and education".

In the course of online communication, heads of leading universities of Gujarat Himanshu Pandya (University of Gujarat), Dr. Vyas (Anand Agricultural University), Sundar Manoharan (Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University) Ami Upadhyay (Open University named after Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) spoke about the main activities of the universities.

Scientists from Astrakhan State University introduced their Indian colleagues to the projects they are currently working on.

Summing up the video conference between Astrakhan and Gujarat, ASU rector Konstantin Markelov recalled the words of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that "the road from India to Russia lies through Astrakhan".

"We should consolidate this excellent idea in our future scientific and educational cooperation," he said. " the Projects that we told each other about today should form the basis of our joint research."

In his opinion, offers for exchange between students and teachers of Astrakhan and Gujarat, their joint training and internships are of great interest.

Anju Sharma, Deputy Minister of education of Gujarat, said that after today's correspondence dialogue, it is important to get involved in specific areas in the near future.

Photo: ASU Media