On 14 June the University hosted a working meeting with representatives of the Nazmi Arikan "Özel Nazmi Arikan Fen Bilimleri Eğitim Kurumlari" private science and education institution network in Turkey. The conversation focused on the opening of a RSA school of MGIMO school project in Turkey and expanding cooperation in the field of education. The idea is implemented within the framework of the "Russian Schools Abroad" strategic project of the «Priority 2030» state programme to support Russian universities.

On the Turkish side the meeting was attended by Nazmi Arican, founder and chairman of the public school network, Rasim Kaya, executive director, Abdullah Soyaslan, coordinator, Naki Karaaslan, RTIB chairman and Karlov Foundation Board Chairman, and V.D.Solotsinsky, Karlov Foundation director general.

The Russian side was represented by MGIMO Rector A.V.Torkunov, Vice Rector for Development - Head of Rector's Office A.V.Malgin, Vice Rector for Educational Programmes, General and Secondary Professional Education R.I.Kotov, Director of Odintsovo branch E.A.Kozlovskaya, Executive Director of the strategic project "Russian Schools Abroad" Yu. A.Koktysh and co-founder of the digital education platform IBLS S.V.Krasko.

Welcoming the participants in the meeting, MGIMO Rector A.V. Torkunov underlined that the University is open for cooperation with Turkish colleagues in the field of education: “We have set ourselves several ambitious goals. First of all, it is to open a Russian school in Turkey, which we are actively working on. The second important direction is developing closer ties with Turkish universities, creating joint master's programmes and opening a MGIMO branch in Turkey. Of course, we plan to implement it taking into account the interests of Turkish colleagues and in the directions in which Turkish employers are interested.”

R.I.Kotov, Vice-rector for Teaching programmes, General and Secondary Professional Education, noted that the unique format of the Russian school will allow students to obtain two diplomas - a Russian and a Turkish one. "We expect the project to be launched within the next year. Strategically, we aim to open a school that will be able to implement a dual school certificate programme. This means that graduates of the school will be able to take both the Turkish national exams and the Russian national ones. No other school in Russia carries out such a programme," Mr. Kotov said.

Nazmi Arican, head of the Turkish delegation, thanked MGIMO for the warm welcome and confirmed interest in opening such an educational institution. He opened practical and legal aspects of the issue and talked about peculiarities of the Turkish system of education. The sides also discussed areas that might be of interest to Turkish applicants: above all economics, law, raw materials and energy markets. The new educational programme will first be offered to high school students and then, if the project proves to be successful, it will be extended to all levels of school education.

The meeting also made it possible to discuss possible cooperation in higher education. The parties agreed that double degree programmes could be the first step in this direction - MGIMO is already implementing similar projects with Chinese and South Korean universities. "Access to the Turkish market is possible through joint programmes. This could subsequently become the basis for opening a MGIMO branch in Turkey. In addition, the combination of school and higher education gives additional synergy, additional efficiency to the universities. We already have experience in operating a branch of the University in Uzbekistan, and we are opening an MGIMO lyceum in Kyrgyzstan - this is a valuable experience in implementing pertnership projects", - Mr Malgin said about plans for cooperation with Turkish counterparts.

In conclusion of the meeting the representatives of the Turkish delegation stressed that there are no obstacles for implementation of the Russian school project. It was agreed to start preparing a road map for the opening of the school. During the year, both sides will jointly and step by step implement this plan to open the doors for those wishing to study at the Russian MGIMO school in Turkey in September 2023.