Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The regional round of the first All-Russian competition for international students, "StudRussia," was held at the Polytechnic University. The competition is organized by the National University of Science and Technology MISIS with the support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation to support talented and active international students with achievements in science, creativity, sports, community service, and volunteerism.
As a co-organizer of the competition, the Polytechnic University hosted 140 winners of the qualifying round from 32 universities in the Northwestern Federal District, including the Kirov Military Medical Academy, the Ilya Repin St. Petersburg Academy of Arts, the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Vologda State University, the ITMO National Research University, the St. Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation, and the Ukhta State Technical University. Of course, Polytechnic University students were also among the participants.
The geography of the participants was also vast: we welcomed representatives from 30 countries, including India, Pakistan, Morocco, Ghana, Ecuador, Uganda, Nigeria, Mexico, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Brazil, China, Mongolia, Iran, Palestine, Tunisia, Algeria, Vietnam, and others. Some international students carried the flag of their country, while others wore elements of traditional costume. Overall, the atmosphere at the Technopolis Polytech research facility was very international for two days.
At the opening ceremony, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova thanked Polytechnic University via videoconference for being one of the co-organizers and the international students for their courage and decision to participate in the competition.
"Dear students, of course, not everyone will be a winner, but each of you will definitely grow in your skills, get to know our country and the Russian language even better, and share your unique experiences with us," said Olga Viktorovna. "This is the first time we've held such a competition, and I'm confident it will open up even more opportunities for international students studying in Russia!"
Participants were also greeted by Maxim Pasholikov, Vice-Rector for Information, Youth Policy, and Security, and Roman Volkovsky, Acting Chairman of the Committee on Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations of St. Petersburg.
Maxim Pasholikov briefly described how international students study and relax at the Polytechnic University and assured that the university will do everything possible to ensure that participants in the first StudRussia competition also have a comfortable, convenient, and interesting experience.
Roman Volkovsky noted that this event is of great importance to the St. Petersburg government: "This isn't just a competition, but also an opportunity to unite students from different countries who study, create, and build in Russia. This is the future of international relations. You are a shining example of how science and friendship erase the boundaries between different countries and continents. In turn, we strive to make your stay in our country comfortable, productive, and promising. For us, there are no international or Russian students; we are young people who, with their creativity, intelligence, and hands-on work, are making the future of our country, our society, and the entire world better, brighter, and kinder. Thank you very much for this, and, of course, we are ready to support you in all your initiatives."
After the plenary session, the participants were divided into groups according to their nominations. There were six: "The Future of Science," "Leaders of Generations," "Conquerors of Peaks," "Kindness Without Borders," "Inspired by Creativity," and "Russian Language and Culture." Some participants applied for several nominations at once, and for good reason—such dedication earned them the highest award, the Grand Prix for "Best International Student."
On the first day of the competition, amazing things happened in various NIK auditoriums: in one, foreign guests of the Polytechnic shared their experiences learning Russian and professed their love for Russian literature. In another, they sang songs in their native languages and played folk instruments. In the Kapitsa conference hall, young scientists presented reports on their research projects and initiatives. In the Semenov auditorium, they talked about volunteer work and proposed ideas for improving sports infrastructure in Russia's northern regions.
Once all the projects had been presented to the jury and the first day's business program had concluded, the participants took a bus to explore St. Petersburg. Those who study and live here eagerly shared the sights of the city on the Neva with their new friends from other regions of the Northwestern Federal District. The students saw Smolny and St. Isaac's Cathedrals, the Peter and Paul Fortress, drove along Nevsky Prospekt, and visited Arts Square, the Spit of Vasilievsky Island, and the Piskarevsky Memorial.
The second day at the Polytechnic University began with a lecture by Andrey Mashkovtsev, Doctor of Historical Sciences, from the Russian Society "Knowledge," about Russia's achievements in the 21st century. The students were then invited on a tour of the SPbPU campus, including the Main Building, the Tower, and the Sports Complex.
And now the most important moment had arrived—the summing up of the results and the awards ceremony. The participants of the district stage had become very close during their time together and were thrilled to celebrate each other's successes.
For the convenience of international students, the competition is held in both Russian and English, so the jury also selected winners and runners-up in two tracks—Russian and English. Here's how the placements were distributed.
Nomination “Russian language and culture”
Russian-language track:
1st place – Nguyen Thanh Hai (Vietnam, A. I. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia) 2nd place – Zhang Yateng (China, A. I. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia) 3rd place – Salim Nizhm (Palestine, S. M. Kirov Military Medical Academy)
English track:
1st place — Asad Shafiq (Pakistan, Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University "LETI" named after V. I. Ulyanov (Lenin)) 2nd place — Kong Delong (China, Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia) 3rd place — Araujo de Re Gabriel (Brazil, Saint Petersburg State University)
"Kindness Without Borders" – for volunteers involved in charitable projects
Russian-language track:
1st place — Fan Wenkai (China, A. I. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia) 2nd place — Mustafa Abduljalil Muftakhuddin (Nigeria, St. Petersburg State University) 3rd place — Mamanazarov Erkinboy Bakhodir Ugli (Uzbekistan, A. I. Herzen State Pedagogical University of Russia)
English track:
1st place – Oladoye Michael Blessing (Nigeria, ITMO National Research University) 2nd place – Shah Rehan Ahmad (India, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University) 3rd place – Anas Jamal (Morocco, Admiral S. O. Makarov State Maritime Academy)
"Leaders of Generations" — for active students developing youth policy
Russian-language track:
1st place — Ben Fraj Besma (Tunisia, North-West State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov) 2nd place — Alena Vasilyeva (Kazakhstan, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University) 3rd place — Angelina Shevlyakova (Azerbaijan, First St. Petersburg State Medical University named after I.P. Pavlov)
English track:
1st place — Garzon Navaret Hugo Alexander (Ecuador, St. Petersburg State University) 2nd place — Tharun Kumar Mummadi Ragupathi (India, Petrozavodsk State University) 3rd place — Hussam Aabdani (Morocco, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University)
"Conquerors of the Peaks" – for athletes who have achieved success in competitions.
Russian-language track:
1st place — Elina Anikina (Uzbekistan, Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University) 2nd place — Maria Zastenskaya (Kazakhstan, St. Petersburg State University) 3rd place — Alexandra Komarova (Kazakhstan, ITMO University)
English track:
1st place — Guo Xinlong (China, SPbPU) 2nd place — Jacob Kingson (India, Murmansk Arctic University) 3rd place — Maxim Bessonov (Kazakhstan, Ukhta State Technical University)
"The Future of Science" – for those engaged in research and participating in scientific events
Russian-language track:
1st place – Madina Kalmuratova (Uzbekistan, student of the St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University) 2nd place – Kholiknazarov Asadbek Abdunazarovich (Uzbekistan, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University) 3rd place – Goziev Muhammadaziz Kodir ugli (Uzbekistan, St. Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University)
English track:
1st place — Umar Ahmed (Pakistan, ITMO University) 2nd place — Ayamba Malentiba Mark (Ghana, Yaroslav the Wise Novgorod State University) 3rd place — Anas Ahmed (Pakistan, SPbPU)
"Inspired by Creativity" – for those who are passionate about music, art, culture and developing as a creative individual
Russian-language track:
1st place — Desaipur Reza (Iran, St. Petersburg State Institute of Culture) 2nd place — Faizullahujaeva Madinakhon Makhsudkhon kizi (Uzbekistan, SPbPU) 3rd place — Xiong Peihan (China, Ilya Repin St. Petersburg Academy of Arts)
English track:
1st place — Vergara Herrera Giselle Sarahi (Mexico, National Research University Higher School of Economics, St. Petersburg) 2nd place — Fred Appiadjei (Ghana, National Research University Higher School of Economics, St. Petersburg) 3rd place — Dastanbu Matin (Iran, SPbPU)
Grand Prix
Russian-language track
Daria Gosteva (Kazakhstan, St. Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design)
English-language track
Rana Ghazal (India, Petrozavodsk State University)
Maxim Pasholikov, Vice Rector for Youth, Information Policy, and Security, summed up the marathon's results: "Dear friends, I hope you had a fascinating time at the Polytechnic University and in St. Petersburg. I hope this short trip brought you many new acquaintances and brought you a wealth of positive emotions. You were able to express yourself a little, talk about yourself, and present yourself—sometimes it's helpful to give yourself a little credit. You also saw what other students were good at, and you probably picked up some interesting practices to incorporate into your work. I wish those of you who were honored to travel to Moscow for the finals a strong performance, becoming top students, and bringing victory back to the Northwestern Federal District."
The 12 winners and two Grand Prix winners will travel to Moscow for the All-Russian stage of the competition, which will take place from November 20 to December 10.
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.