16 September 2015, MOSCOW - Philippine Ambassador to the Russian Federation H.E. Carlos D. Sorreta met with Director Igor Abylgaziev of the Institute of Asian and African Studies of the Moscow State University (IAAS-MSU) on 11 September 2015 at the IAAS’ historic building located a stone’s throw away from the Red Square. Also in the meeting were Third Secretary Luningning G. Camoying of the Philippine Embassy, Prof. Evgenia Kukushkina, Head of the Southeast Asia Philology Department, and Prof. Elena Frolova, Senior Professor of Philippine Philology.
Prof. Abylgaziev warmly welcomed Ambassador Sorreta stating that his visit signifies a new stage in the cooperative relationship between the IAAS and the Philippine Embassy. He expressed appreciation for the Embassy’s efforts in facilitating the IAAS’ internship program for its Filipino majors in the Philippines and promoting other forms of academic exchanges.
Established in 1956, the IAAS is considered one of the leading centers for the study of Asian and African languages, history, economics, and social studies. It currently teaches more than 40 languages, including Filipino. Many of its alumni now serve in key positions in the Russian government, including in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and international organizations.
Ambassador Sorreta, for his part, lauded the IAAS’ long tradition of excellence in training Philippine specialists recognizing the importance of country studies in diplomacy. He further stated that there is an increasing interest in the Philippines on Russia because of the latter’s renewed focus on its Far East region and the larger Asia-Pacific; President Putin’s remarkable popularity among his constituents; and Russia’s prominent role in major international issues especially in the Middle East.
Ambassador Sorreta reaffirmed the Embassy’s support for the Philippine Philology Program through the promotion of linkages between the IAAS and PH institutions of higher education, academic exchanges, and research cooperation. He stressed that the Embassy will continue organizing workshops/RTDs on PH-related subjects for MSU students specializing in Filipino and other Southeast Asian languages.
After the meeting, Ambassador Sorreta delivered a short talk before the new batch of Filipino language majors on the importance of Russia to PH and the need for the latter to constantly study Russian society and polity and its actions in the international arena. END
