Lobachevsky University showcased its educational programmes in Bishkek

The UNN Faculty of Law took part in the annual Forum of the Association of Law Universities of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (ALU SCO) for the second time. The gathering took place at the Kyrgyz National University named after Zhusup Balasagyn (KNU) in Bishkek. The 2026 Forum focused on the role of the ALU in implementing SCO initiatives.

The event was held in anticipation of the upcoming SCO Summit in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2026 and served as a key milestone in the realm of legal education and regional cooperation. Over 100 representatives from 33 leading universities, government agencies, judicial bodies, law firms, chambers of commerce, and business associations from Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, as well as international experts from France, attended the Forum.

Lobachevsky University’s Faculty of Law was represented by Andrey Leonov, Deputy Dean and Head of the Centre for European and Eurasian Legal Studies. At the invitation of the Rector of the Kyrgyz National University, he delivered a speech at the plenary session of the Forum on the topic "Internationalization of Higher Legal Education in the SCO Space through Network Educational Programs: Positive Experience and Challenges." During the session, the results of the network programme implemented by Lobachevsky University and the Tashkent State University of Law in the field of law were presented.

The report highlighted the distinctive features of the international network programme, such as the opportunity to obtain two diplomas, implementation in Russian, and the "dual-core" approach, which includes two parallel tracks: a four-year (classical) programme and a three-year (accelerated) programme for graduates of law colleges in Uzbekistan. It was noted that this network programme serves as an example of successful humanitarian cooperation between Russia and Uzbekistan. The successful implementation of this network bachelor's programme generated interest among the Forum participants, as it represents a unique case of international cooperation for a Russian university.

Several bilateral meetings were also held during the Forum, including with B.Keldibekov, Director of the Department of International Cooperation and Relations at the Kyrgyz National University, as well as with representatives from L.N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University (Kazakhstan), the Shanghai Political and Law University (China), the Law Faculty of the North-West Polytechnical University (China), and the Xi'an University of International Studies (China).

Lobachevsky University joined the ALU SCO in 2024 and is actively developing cooperation with the law faculties and universities of the Association.