Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
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The university announced the results of its main volunteer competition, "RUDN Volunteer of the Year." Seventeen people won in five categories. The Grand Prix went to Elza Shaimukhametova, a student majoring in Veterinary Science at the Agrarian and Technological Institute.
"For me, being a volunteer means dedicating myself entirely to a cause, to people, and to being useful. The reward is the motivation to work harder and longer, and, of course, it's a sign that my work is bearing fruit, that it's not just for nothing," noted Elsa Shaimukhametova.
Desire to help
We'll tell you more about Elsa and her accomplishments in a separate article. The RUDN University volunteer movement currently comprises over 3,000 people from 50 countries. They visit orphanages, help organize major international events, participate in patriotic campaigns, donate blood, and care for the environment and homeless animals.
A total of 50 applications were submitted for the competition, with the leading participants coming from the Faculty of Philology, the Institute of Medicine, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. Incidentally, students from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities represented the largest number of RUDN University volunteers, for which the department received an award in the competition among the main educational departments (OUP). The Faculty of Artificial Intelligence also received an award in this category. Although the faculty was founded only a few years ago, its students have already participated in numerous volunteer events and distinguished themselves.
The winners in the "Event Volunteer" category were:
Adelina Abdulkarimova (Faculty of Philology, 3rd year, Journalism); Polina Shmidt (Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Natural Sciences, 2nd year, Chemistry); Ainur Sadykova (Institute of Foreign Languages, 1st year Master's student, Psychological and Pedagogical Education); Ksenia Verbitskaya (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 3rd year, Foreign Regional Studies); Alexandra Kozhevnikova (Faculty of Philology, 1st year, Psychology).
"For me, volunteering is an activity that gives my life meaning; it's the people I've helped. My openness and strong desire to help others help me. The most rewarding part of volunteering for me is the people's emotions. People often cried when we parted ways, which is a sign that I've done my job well," says Ksenia Verbitskaya.
The title of the best "Ecological Volunteers" was earned by:
Victoria Lotnik (Institute of Ecology, 2nd year student, Ecology and Nature Management); Ekaterina Aleksandrova (Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, Faculty of Philology, RUDN University).
"I was raised in an eco-friendly lifestyle from childhood. I participated in many environmental campaigns and events, which is why I enrolled in the RUDN University Institute of Ecology. If I had to describe volunteering in one word, it would be kindness," noted Victoria Lotnik.
Opportunity to prove yourself
In the “Social Volunteer” category, the victory went to:
Elza Shaimukhametova (Agrarian-Technological Institute, 2nd year, "Veterinary Science"); Gulchehrabuna Khaitova (Faculty of Philology, 2nd year, "Psychology"); Yana Basel Alshebli (Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2nd year Master's student, "International Relations"); Alena Konovalova (Faculty of Philology, 2nd year, "Journalism"); Valeria Popova (Medical Institute, 2nd year, "Dentistry").
"Volunteering is a unique opportunity to express yourself, realize your desire to help people, and develop social skills. It's also an opportunity to connect with people from all over the world and participate in events, including international ones. For example, I recently volunteered at the major forum "MYVMESTE" and helped foreign participants navigate the "Russia" national center," said Valeria Popova.
The best "Volunteer Medics" were:
Anastasia Bogoyavlenskaya (Medical Institute, 6th year, General Medicine); Nadezhda Bryksina (Faculty of Philology, 3rd year Master's student, Psychology); Yulia Ivanova (Medical Institute, 4th year, General Medicine).
And finally, the title of the best “Patriotic Volunteers” was awarded to:
Anastasia Banakhovich (Institute of World Economy and Business, 1st year, Management); Mohamed Saleh (Medical Institute, 1st year of residency, Ophthalmology).
"It's a great honor for me to receive an award in this category. In Belgorod, where I returned three months ago, I participated in events as a Victory Day volunteer and a People's Front activist, helping collect humanitarian aid for the SVO soldiers. When they came to pick up their things and saw me, a foreigner (I'm from Egypt), they asked, 'Why are you helping here?' To which I replied that Russia, especially the Belgorod region, is my second home. And I'm grateful to the soldiers for defending the city," Mohamed Saleh shared.
About the history of the RUDN University Volunteer Center
The RUDN University Volunteer Center has been in existence for 17 years. In 2008, the student volunteer group "Wind of Change" was established within the RUDN University Center for Youth Student Teams. Its members began assisting with the socialization and adaptation of orphans by arranging their interactions with RUDN University students, motivating orphanage residents to apply to universities, fostering the development of youth creativity, creating successful youth images, and instilling tolerance and mutual respect in children.
In 2017, by order of the RUDN University rector, the "Wind of Change" volunteer group was transformed into the RUDN University Volunteer Center. The center's name, "Volunteers of the World," reflects the public organization's main goals. First, to maintain peace, help those in need, and promote volunteerism. Second, to unite all students interested in volunteering, regardless of race, nationality, gender, or language. Since 2024, the Volunteer Center has been providing verified volunteer hours, which are recorded in their electronic workbooks on the platform. DOBRO.RFThe center is developing in several areas: social, event-based, environmental, patriotic, and sports volunteering.
In addition, the center regularly implements educational programs to enhance the volunteer competencies and leadership skills of university volunteers. With the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, it organized two intensive training schools for volunteers: one on working with people with disabilities and one on social project management.
You can join the center by contacting its specialists at the address: Miklukho-Maklaya St., Building 9, Office 153, or by writing to the email address volunteer@rudn.ru.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.