Russia to expand language cooperation, teaching Russian to students

Seeking to enhance cooperation in the field of multilingualism, Birzeit University president Abdullatif Abuhijleh discussed with Gocha Buachidza, the head of mission at the Representative Office of the Russian Federation, the prospects of teaching Russian to university students on September 30, 2019

Attending the meeting that took place at Birzeit University were Director of the Ibrahim Abu Lughod Institute of International Relations Lord Habash, Director of the External Academic Relations Office Amir Khalil, and Abdul Karim Barghouthi, an associate professor at the Department of Philosophy and Cultural Studies.

Abuhijleh and Buachidza explored the possibility of teaching Russian as a foreign language to expand the offering of the Department of Languages and Translation that already includes six languages. Both parties share the belief that linguistic diversity and language learning strengthen intercultural understanding and communication.

Hailing the strong bond between Birzeit University and Russia, Abuhijleh expressed the university’s interest in strengthening its ties with Russia to increase reciprocal knowledge and understanding in the spirit of solidarity. He pointed out the joint research and academic projects the university has conducted with Russian academic institutions, including the Moscow State Institute of International Relations.

Buachidza declared that Russia and Palestine enjoy a longstanding relationship and asserted that Russia is a supporter of Palestinian rights, especially the right of academic freedom.

Russia, Buachidza stated, has always opened its doors to Palestinian students, as more than fifty thousand Palestinian students have studied in Russia since the establishment of ties between the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) and the Soviet Union.