The academic year at SCIT rounds up with a series of meetings with high-ranking Russian dipolmats.  On 7 June SCIT students and Herzen Univesity undergraduates attended the lecture by Kirill Barski, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary II Class. He is an  experienced diplomat and sinologist, worked as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Russia in Thailand, and Permanent Representative of Russia in ESCAP in Bangkok. His lecture focused on topical issues in today’s Asia, the place it takes in Russia’s foreign policy, and the role of the interpreter in promoting cooperation in the Orient. The talk was interesting and enlightening for the students who study Oriental languages at Herzen University and SCIT students, one of who is preparing for the internship with ESCAP.

 On 8 June SCIT hosted Vladimir Chizhov, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation in the European Union and IAEA.  Mr. Chizhov was taking part in the work of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, and on the margins of his visit found time for the meeting with SCIT students. In the meeting he spoke about the current European situation in the wake of European parliamentary elections, the problems Europe and Russia should address jointly, and Europe’s place in Russia’s foreign policy. He also touched upon the specificity of the diplomatic translation and the prospects of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation. Vladimir Chizhov also gave advice and recommendation concerning students’ future professional growth.