On May 30, 2025, the Financial University hosted the grand opening of the Iran Studies Center, established within the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications. This new platform will serve as a venue for thematic lectures, discussions, and meetings dedicated to Russian-Iranian cooperation. The goal of creating the Iran Studies Center is to deepen understanding of Iran’s history and culture, as well as to strengthen international collaboration.
Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector of the Financial University, emphasized during the event: “The opening of the Iran Studies Center symbolizes the strengthening of academic and humanitarian ties between Russia and Iran. We are creating a new space where students and faculty can explore Iran’s economy, socio-cultural features, and its rich history and traditions.” The walls of the Center are decorated with poetry by renowned Persian poets Saadi and Ferdowsi, along with traditional motifs. The library, provided by the Cultural Attaché Office, houses over one hundred books about Iran in three languages: Persian, Russian, and English.
Stanislav Prokofiev highlighted promising directions for international academic cooperation: “Today, relations between Russia and Iran are experiencing rapid development. The signing of the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on January 17, 2025, has laid a solid foundation for deepening bilateral engagement in education and science. The Financial University actively participates in this process as an intellectual bridge between our countries.”
He also noted efforts to develop academic partnerships with leading Iranian universities: “In September 2024, we signed a cooperation agreement with University of Tehran, as well as earlier agreements with Allameh Tabataba’i University. Recently, 25 of our students visited Iran to explore its rich cultural heritage and modern economic processes,” he said.
Stanislav Prokofiev expressed confidence that this new educational space will become an important platform for promoting mutual understanding, respect, and academic exchange among students and faculty.
Hamid Rasaee, Member of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, expressed gratitude to the university leadership for their contribution to strengthening bilateral relations: “It is a great honor for me to be at one of Russia’s leading economic universities. I believe that our countries’ long history and centuries-old ties will serve as a strong foundation for expanding our partnership. It is especially important to remember that culture is an integral part of this dialogue. Without its development, sustainable and trust-based economic relations cannot be built,” he stated.
Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, and a faculty member at the Department of Political Science at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications at Finuiversity, spoke about strengthening the long-standing friendship between Iran and Russia: “We see growing interest among Russians in Iran, and this new center will allow young people to gain deeper insights into Iranian culture and history. The more we learn about each other, the better we understand one another.”
Masoud Ahmadvand, Head of Cultural Attaché Office at the Embassy of Iran in Russia, thanked Finuiversity for developing cultural and educational cooperation with Iranian universities. He noted that the Iran Studies Center will facilitate studies on modern Iranian history and culture. Ahmadvand also presented certificates of appreciation to artists Aline Khatko and Mohammad Munir Paykan for their contributions to designing and decorating the Center.
Valery Fedorov, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Mass Communications at Finuiversity and Director General of VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center), highlighted recent sociological findings indicating that Russia-Iran relations are characterized by warmth: “According to recent surveys, Iran ranks among Russia’s top five most friendly countries,” he emphasized. He added that the proportion of Russians viewing Iran as an ally or friend has increased sixteenfold over the past decade.
Valery Fedorov also acknowledged the significant contribution of his faculty in strengthening Russian-Iranian ties through educational programs such as the Bachelor’s course “Global Politics,” which focuses on geopolitical processes in Asia including Iran. The program includes thematic events aimed at exploring Iran’s history, culture, and contemporary politics.
At the conclusion of the event, Rector Prokofiev awarded university honors—medals titled “For Cooperation”—to Kazem Jalali, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Russia; Masoud Ahmadvand; and other distinguished guests from Iranian diplomatic missions. In turn, the Cultural Attaché Office presented a letter of appreciation to Rector Prokofiev in honor of the opening of the Iran Studies Center.
