Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Russian: Институт востоковедения Российской Академии Наук), formerly Institute of Oriental Studies of the USSR Academy of Sciences, is Russia's (and, formerly, Soviet Union's) leading research institution for the study of the countries and cultures of Asia and North Africa. The institute is located in Moscow, its Saint Petersburg branch recently (2007) reorganized into a separate Institute of Oriental Manuscripts.
Contents |
The institute traces its history to the Asian Museum created in 1818 in Saint Petersburg. When founded, the museum housed 2500 books and manuscripts in many Asian languages, and over 20,000 coins.[1]
In 1930, the Asian Museum, the Buddhist Culture Institute, and the Turkological Cabinet were merged into the Institute of Oriental Studies, still in Leningrad (Saint Petersburg).[2] In 1950 the Academy of Sciences transferred the institute from Saint Petersburg to Moscow,[2] although part of it stayed behind as the Leningrad. In 1980, the Institute was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour.[2]
Currently (2008), over 500 scholars are working in the institute, carrying out research in practically all branches of Oriental studies.[2]
The institute currently includes such research divisions as:[3]