The University of Sharjah was the venue for a conference that brought together Russian and Arab university rectors to consolidate ties and cooperation in science, technology, research and teaching.

The conference explored ways to increase exchange of visits, students, research findings, knowledge and advances in science and technology.

Organizers, the General Secretariat of the Association of Arab Universities, said they hoped the two-day event (31 May - 1 June) will bring the top 150 Arab universities from 21 Arab countries closer to 50 renowned Russian counterparts.

“We look forward to achieving together the goals of our meeting in the third edition of this conference, to dialogue, cooperate, and develop partnerships in the field of scientific research and academic programs by signing several cooperation agreements," said Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, and Sharjah University President in opening remarks.

Dr. Amr Ezza Salama of the Association of Arab Universities stressed the need for the conference to come up with resolutions that would lead to tangible cooperation between Russian and Arab higher education institutions.

Dr. Salama urged Russian and Arab universities to rachet up volume of exchanges in scientific, economic and research fields. Bonds of cooperation, he said, must be strengthened to provide room for joint applied educational and training programs.

Echoing a similar need for concrete results, Dr. Victor Antonovich Sadovnichy, President of Moscow State University in Lomonosov, called on the conference to draw a plan to develop top-notch research, augment competitiveness, and intensify the scientific and technical potential of Russia and Arab countries.

University of Sharjah's Chancellor Prof. Hamid Al Naimiy found the conference an opportunity to establish frameworks and strategies to outline future cooperation between Arab universities and their Russian counterparts.

There are wide spheres for cooperation, Prof. Naimiy said, adding that available venues included joint scientific research, student and youth exchange, and the introduction of joint academic programs.

“The conference is in line with the University of Sharjah's five-year strategic plan to focus on cooperation with educational institutions at the local, regional and global levels", Prof. Naimiy noted.

The conference wrapped up its proceedings with the signing MOUs and MOAs for student exchange, research cooperation and joint activities in various fields of tertiary education.​​