Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On March 26, a meeting of international recruiting companies and leading Novosibirsk universities took place at the new NSU campus. The goal of the event was to identify new channels for attracting students, enter unexplored international markets, and establish presence there, thereby increasing interest in studying at NSU and other Russian universities. The meeting was attended by 10 representatives from Novosibirsk universities, including NSU, SibSUTI, the University of Biotechnology, Saratov State Transport University, Novosibirsk State Medical University, Novosibirsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, and Novosibirsk State Pedagogical University. Eleven recruiting companies participated: six from Russia, Iran, Turkey, and India attended in person, and five from Turkmenistan, India, Bangladesh, and Nigeria joined online. The event was part of the Open Days for recruiting companies at Novosibirsk Oblast universities, which took place in Novosibirsk on March 26 and 27, 2026.
"During the meeting, we were able to not only learn about successful international practices but also agree on common approaches and tools for working with international applicants for universities in the Novosibirsk region. Participants received up-to-date information from recruiting agency representatives on new student recruitment methods and learned about collaboration models applicable in the current environment. Such cooperation and ongoing dialogue contribute to the growth of international student numbers and the strengthening of Russian education's position abroad," commented Evgeny Sagaydak, Head of the Education Export Department at NSU.
Russian education is popular in many countries, including India. Currently, there are approximately 35,000 Indian students studying at Russian universities, making Russia the sixth-largest country for Indian students. In recent years, interest in pursuing an education in Russia has grown significantly among Indian students, with the number of students increasing by 30-35% annually. The most popular program is General Medicine, with programs in engineering, veterinary science, economics, and Russian as a foreign language also popular.
"Russian education is in demand in India for several reasons—price, quality, and historical ties are key. Russia is particularly renowned for training specialists in medicine, engineering, and the natural sciences. Many universities offer programs in English, reducing the language barrier. Diplomas from Russian universities are recognized in India—this is important for students planning to return and work at home. Educational cooperation between Russia and India has a long history, dating back to the Soviet era. Russian universities have a strong reputation among Indians," commented Andrey Chistokhvalov, a representative of the Russian Education Agency in India.
He added that following the meeting, cooperation agreements on attracting Indian students will be signed with Novosibirsk universities. Therefore, a significant increase in the number of students from that country is expected as early as the fall of 2026.
The meeting was also beneficial for the participating universities, as it allowed them to see international students coming to Novosibirsk through the eyes of a recruiter and to understand how their universities could improve their practices to attract more students to the region from different countries.
"We had the opportunity to determine which factors in university educational programs are attractive to potential applicants, and which, conversely, are unattractive. These factors include logistics, infrastructure, payment methods, supervision, and recruitment coordination. The idea of holding joint Olympiads to obtain quotas, which finance the participation of international students in our study program, was very useful. Recruiters' insights into the areas and specialties popular with international students in various recruiting countries were also, of course, helpful," said Ekaterina Barancheeva, Head of the International Activities and Academic Mobility Department at NSPU.
According to Ekaterina Barancheeva, the most promising programs currently are English-language programs with dual majors, where the diploma specifies two majors, as well as programs that are highly practice-oriented. Furthermore, it is important that programs are aligned with the educational and career paths that students in a given country choose based on their preferences.
Novosibirsk is a leading scientific and academic center, so, naturally, the programs offered by Novosibirsk universities are in demand abroad. However, it's not just the curriculum itself that matters; other factors also influence the attractiveness of education in a given region.
"If universities and the Russian education system support students in terms of adaptation, employment, even during their studies, and participation in volunteer projects, and ensuring their integration into our social and cultural environment, students will be more interested in coming to our region. That is, not only the education itself is important, but also infrastructure, life-related issues, payments, and logistics. All of this, of course, influences the arrival of international students," added Ekaterina Barancheeva.
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.