Prof. Anatoly Torkunov, MGIMO University Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, in a conversation with the Editor-in-Chief of International Aspect spoke about what has remained unchanged since MGIMO was found in 1944 and what new trends are taking place. Prof. Anatoly Torkunov highlighted that today, owing to emerging phenomena in international relations and world economy, experts in international relations should master new skills. New educational programs, including those on big data analysis and the use of digital technologies, are aimed at expanding the outlook and competencies of MGIMO students. Prof. Anatoly Torkunov believes that the synthesis of natural science and humanitarian knowledge is important. As for studying foreign languages at MGIMO, the Rector noted that now all faculties and schools have Asian languages in curricula, and many students choose Asian and African languages as a third one to learn. Prof. Anatoly Torkunov noted that MGIMO students are actively involved in research activities; their success depends on their personal interest and leadership skills.

Kirill Nozdrya, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, held an interview with Kirill M. Barsky, PhD (Candidate of Historical Sciences), Head of the Department of Diplomacy. Kirill M. Barsky graduated from MGIMO in 1989, he is now Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, Professor of the Department of Chinese, Vietnamese, Laotian and Thai Languages. For more than 20 years he had worked in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He actively contributes to strengthening Russian-Chinese relations, being Deputy Chairman of the RussianChinese Friendship Society. Kirill M. Barsky enjoys poetry and is a member of Russia Writers Union. He told International Aspect about the training of future diplomats at the Department of Diplomacy, as well as the impact of digitalization and information technologies on diplomacy. Kirill M. Barsky shared his opinion on the SCO prospects and Eurasian integration that is gaining momentum. He drew attention to “people’s diplomacy” that contributes to enriching the Russian-Chinese partnership. Kirill M. Barsky highlighted the qualities necessary for an orientalist and explained that mentorship and relations between generations of researchers are essential for strengthening the “core of an orientalist”. He recalled outstanding founders and continuators of MGIMO school of Oriental Studies and pointed out promising topics for young researchers.

International Aspect presents an interview with Ph.D. in Political Science, Associate Professor Ekaterina Koldunova. She graduated from MGIMO University. Being a winner of several awards for graduate students, young scholars and teachers, today she actively supports students’ participation in regional studies and development of academic diplomacy. Ekaterina Koldunova is Director of the ASEAN Center and academic co-director of the Master’s program “Political Economy of ASEAN-Russia Strategic Partnership”. She supervises the NSO MGIMO Southeast Asia Club. Ekaterina Koldunova told International Aspect about current Russia-ASEAN relations. She highlighted that developing academic diplomacy with ASEAN is of high importance and explained how MGIMO student organizations contribute to strengthening these relations. Ekaterina Koldunova shared her experience of working under Prof. Alexei D. Voskressenski guidance at the Department of Asian and African Studies. She believes that the desire to learn something unknown and new is the main driver of research activity. Today, there are great prospects for young researchers in the field of Asian Studies, comparative regionalism and non-Western approaches to the theory of international relations.

 The article is devoted to the development of British studies at MGIMO University from the beginning of the research under the guidance of Dr. Vladimir Trukhanovsky, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, up to the present day. The term «school of academic thought» means a research team united by studying a certain field under the guidance of an experienced researcher, who has a significant influence on the formation of the school. The hence emerging educational aspect distinguishes a school of academic thought as an institution from other social phenomena in the academic sphere, such as projects, and allows to accumulate knowledge and experience. Accordingly, the authors pay special attention to the role of MGIMO professors and researchers in the development of British studies. The article considers the most significant monographs prepared on this subject at the University. Special features of the school. They include special attention paid to the biographical genre, as well as in-depth study of international and foreign policy processes in their interrelation with the domestic politics. MGIMO experts in British studies are involved in international research activities, cooperating with institutions and analytical centers of the United Kingdom and other countries. The article highlights the involvement of young researchers in the development of British studies through such organizations as the NSO MGIMO. The authors conclude that British studies at MGIMO University, contributing now to political expertise, preserve the traditions that were established in the days of MGIMO foundation. 

 MGIMO University traditionally pays a lot of attention to the regional studies. While amid the transformation of the world order and the «turn to the East» much more attention is paid to the training of specialists who study Asia, Africa and Latin America, the study of European countries is also relevant and seems to be an important aspect for understanding the unfriendly policy currently pursued by a number of European countries. This article is an attempt to analyze the current state of European studies at MGIMO, mainly at the undergraduate level. Over many years, a unique system of teaching European studies at MGIMO University has been formed. The article characterizes the subjectintegrative approach to the study of Europe at MGIMO, which is implemented through the interrelation of academic disciplines involving the study of history, culture, politics, economics of particular countries, language training, research work and extracurricular activities related to the study of the region. The activity of the Department of European and American Studies, the World Economy Department and the Department for Integration Studies in developing and teaching academic disciplines on history, culture, politics, economics of European countries for students of regional studies is considered. The role of language training in the formation of professional competencies necessary for successful work in various spheres is noted. The research activities of the Centre for European Studies of the Institute for International Studies, the work of the NSO MGIMO for the study of European countries and the involvement of students in various events dedicated to the history, culture and language of specific European countries are considered. 

This paper examines a number of relevant competencies of international relations experts, which are formed due to digitalization of international relations, responding to the challenges posed by the use of the latest digital technologies for destructive purposes. The concepts of digital security and information security are considered. The first means the practices of protecting digital resources, devices and systems, while the latter refers to protecting the integrity, availability, confidentiality and reliability of data in any form. The article identifies the challenges of information security in Russia. Based on the comparison of Russian and foreign specialists’ studies and content analysis of Russia’s core documents in the field of national security, a list of information security aspects is designed. It includes such aspects as threat forecasting, risk management, neural network skills, digital communication, data analysis and data management. In accordance with the highlighted aspects, the author’s classification of competencies of the new generation of international specialists has been developed.

Review of Collective Monograph «Russia in Africa: from New Fields of Cooperation to a New Image» (edited by Ivan D. Loshkarev, 2024)