In June, MGIMO and Loughborough University submitted a joint request to hold a series of international seminars on sports diplomacy to the British Council. The project was developed by Professor James Skinner (Great Britain) and Academic Advisor of the "Sports Diplomacy" MA Programme and MGIMO Associate Professor E.A.Ponomaryova.

MGIMO is a world-famous university which does research into international integrated research, makes a considerable contribution to global development and integration though sports diplomacy and sports management, and has a 70-year experience in training qualified specialists in international relations. MGIMO is also known as an institute with a well-thought development strategy and a high level of competitiveness. Today, MGIMO is a rapidly developing university which enjoys its own identity, specializes in educational innovations, combines the best educational practice and traditions both in Russia and across the globe, has an extensive international alumni net, leadership school and unique competencies in international communication.

Given the global importance of this issue, Professor Skinner invited E.A.Ponomaryova to participate in the international project. The experience of these academic partners matches the research activity planned by Professor Skinner and Associate Professor Ponomaryova. There is a great potential for personal and professional development thanks to the access and leadership of the world leading experts in sport, business and diplomacy representing world leading universities.

E.A.Ponomaryova noted: "We will do our best to ensure academic activity which will transform the existing informal relations between MGIMO and Loughborough University into long-term, sustainable and fruitful research and education ties. Global resources of our universities help realize the potential of relations built during seminars."

The connection between the universities will be maintained though internal and external staff mobility programmes, joint research proposals and joint publications in the leading research journals. This is a clear and a feasible method to maintain cooperation between MGIMO and Loughborough University in the long run.

Director of the MGIMO School of Business A.M.Mirzoyeva welcomed the initiative put forward by the British partners, saying: "We expect that cross-platform net cooperation with British sports and diplomatic organizations will provide MGIMO students and professors with a wonderful opportunity for developing sports technologies, management and diplomacy."