Sergei Bogdanov, Rector of Herzen University, has received a Lao People's Democratic Republic delegation led by doctor Siviengphet Phetvorasak, the Ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

Russia was represented by Vyacheslav Kalganov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee for External Relations of Saint Petersburg, Yulia Komarova, Vice Rector for International Cooperation, and Andrei Vassoevich, Director of the Oriental Studies Institute; Laos, by Lienthong Suphani, Counsellor for Trade and Economics and Lamsai Nanthanavon First Secretary to the Ambassador.
The parties discussed partnership opportunities in education.

It was noted that Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister of Lao People's Democratic Republic, is, in fact, a Herzen University alumnus, having graduated from the Philological Faculty of the Herzen State Pedagogical University of Leningrad in 1978.
Sergei Bogdanov, University Rector, told his guests about educational programmes Herzen University offers. He also pointed out that he would be very happy to see Lao language being taught in Russia, which could very well be organized at Herzen University.

Yulia Komarova, Vice Rector for International Cooperation, gave the delegation an account of University’s international programmes, as well as the efforts to create a comfortable environment for foreign students, and the tutor support programme.
Ambassador Plenipotentiary Siviengphet Phetvorasak highlighted the importance and relevance of the meeting and stated that he would like to see Lao students come study at Herzen University.

He was also interested in possible study and work placement programmes for both students and professors. He noted that considering the fact that the Russian language is taught at the National University of Laos, an internship at Herzen University would be very helpful for younger Russian professors.
Both sides expressed hope for closer ties between Herzen University and Lao academic institutions.