Mr Maxim E. Dobrokhotov, Director of the Russian House in Dhaka, has termed the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Bangladesh and Russia as an important milestone in the history of bilateral cooperation of both the countries.
In a statement, Maxim E. Dobrokhotov said, “2022 would be widely mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Russia and Bangladesh. This half-century anniversary will undoubtedly become an important milestone in the history of bilateral cooperation, which today is developing in all areas. People’s diplomacy plays a significant role in this process, helping to build up the potential for intercultural interaction.”
The Russian House in Dhaka was established in March 1974 in accordance with the agreement between the governments of the Soviet Union and Bangladesh. Its activity is primarily aimed at making available to the common people of Bangladesh objective information on domestic and foreign policy of Russia, organizing all kinds of projects which reveal the potential of Russia in the field of humanitarian, cultural, scientific and technical cooperation with Bangladesh.
Russian House in Dhaka has been organizing joint programs with many local partners. Amid main Bengali counterpart bodies are educational institutions and non-governmental organizations, especially Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Daffodil international University, BRAC University and Stamford University as well as Bangladesh-Russia Friendship Society, Soviet Alumni Association Bangladesh (by the way, Soviet/Russian universities prepared more than 5000 Bengali specialists working all around the world, often achieving top position in public and private sectors), Liberation War Affairs Academy Trust, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Bangladesh National Museum and many others.
The Russian House has been conducting various programs, including films shows, photos and art exhibitions, musical evenings as well as carrying out advocacy among Bangladeshi youth on the possibilities and conditions of studying in Russia. Bangladeshi students have been receiving scholarships under the USSR/Russian government schemes since 1972. In 2021, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation awarded 70 scholarships to Bangladeshi students doubling this quantity within 5 last years. There is increasing cooperation between Russian and Bengali universities.
The Russian House in Dhaka is working hard on conducting Russian language courses and offers a variety of training programs for speaking skills, in-depth study of the Russian language and individual learning programs. Lessons are equipped with modem instructional literature, multimedia materials and necessary accessories.
Activities and interaction with the youth are of primary focus. The «New Generation» special program consisting of short-term study tours to the Russian Federation is designed for young political, public, scientific and business leaders and aimed at developing multidimensional ties between the Russian Federation and foreign countries including Bangladesh. During their trips to Russia, participants learn about culture, science and the media environment. Thus, young specialists not only establish professional contacts, but also discover true and authentic Russia, its history, cultural and national diversity.
Maxim E. Dobrokhotov said, “In the year of the 50th anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Russia & Bangladesh, let me wish all Bangladeshi and Russian people new joint achievements and precious moments to cherish. May our friendship last forever!”