Category: Российский университет дружбы народов

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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Ekaterina Kostenko, a third-year student at the RUDN University Institute of Ecology (major in "Energy and Resource-Saving Processes in Chemical Engineering, Petrochemistry, and Biotechnology"), received an award in the "Creators" category from Norilsk Nickel. The company recognizes the leaders of its "People of the Territory" social capital development program: those who make a real difference in the lives of people and cities.

Our student dreamed of working at Norilsk Nickel since high school, and began internships there during her first year. We spoke with Ekaterina to learn how she became involved in community service, the company's projects she's participated in, and her plans for the future.

How did you get involved in social activism, and how long have you been involved? What motivated you?

I became involved in community service in the seventh grade, after retiring from professional sports. At first, I just wanted to keep myself busy. Only later did I realize what a great opportunity it was for development and building a future career.

Tell us more about your achievements in receiving the Norilsk Nickel "Creators" award.

For seven years, I participated in all of the company's social and charitable projects. Over time, I became the organizer of several of them. Among my favorite projects, I'd like to highlight "Peremena," which helps schoolchildren choose a career and discover their talents.

Did your academic focus intersect with the projects you participated in? Did the knowledge and skills you gained at RUDN University help you in your social work?

Enrolling in the ecology program at RUDN University allowed me to integrate environmental initiatives into company projects and, through my own example, help schoolchildren choose their careers. Also, being a student monitor at the university really helped me develop my leadership skills, which I actively use in my work.

What was your most memorable moment at the awards ceremony? How did you feel when you received the award?

The entire ceremony took the form of an immersive performance, featuring the nominees' real-life stories. The most memorable moment was the story of an entrepreneur who built his own sports center when it was practically impossible in his hometown. As he accepted the award, one thought pervaded his mind: "It was all worth it. I'm truly making a contribution to the development of my home region and the people who live there!"

What are your future plans? Do you have any ideas for new projects, perhaps related to your future professional work in ecology?

I'd like to further develop the company's environmental projects. For example, the environmental marathon "Poneslos," where employees and their families work on greening the area, promoting environmental education, and studying biodiversity in the Far North.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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Delegations from Nicaragua and Serbia discussed cooperation prospects with RUDN University.

Delegations from Nicaragua and Serbia visited RUDN University. During the meetings, the parties discussed prospects for joint collaboration.

Ions and nanotechnology: RUDN University professor and associate professor presented papers at an international symposium in India

Anatoly and Andrey Skalny, father and son, and a professor and associate professor in the Department of Medical Elementology at the RUDN University Medical Institute, presented papers at the 20th International Symposium on Metal Ions, held in Mumbai. The event, which focused on the latest advances in dentistry and radiology, environmental protection, and public health, brought together 240 delegates from around the world.

World Russian Language Championship for Foreign Citizens

Registration for the 2025 World Russian Language Championship among foreign citizens has opened. Foreign citizens, regardless of their country of residence, are eligible to participate.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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Delegations from Nicaragua and Serbia visited RUDN University on working visits. During the meetings, the parties discussed prospects for joint collaboration.

Nicaraguan representatives expressed their interest in developing relations in the areas of advertising and public relations, journalism, artificial intelligence, academic exchange, and joint educational programs.

Daniel Edmundo Ortega Murillo, Media Coordinator of the Council for Communication and Citizenship of the Republic, invited a RUDN University delegation to visit his country before the end of 2025 to discuss cooperation with the National Council of University Rectors of Nicaragua. A return visit by council representatives to RUDN University is also planned.

The Serbian delegation was led by the Minister of Information and Telecommunications of the Republic, Boris Bratina, and the Minister of Labor, Employment, Veterans' Affairs, and Social Affairs, Milica Djurdjevic-Stamenkovski. At the meeting, it was noted that over the past three years, RUDN University researchers have published 70 joint papers with their Serbian research partners.

The guests expressed interest in further developing relations with our university in the fields of education and science, including telecommunications and artificial intelligence. The parties agreed that RUDN University will give a presentation on Russian education in Serbian schools.

About students from Nicaragua and Serbia at RUDN University

Over its history, RUDN has trained over 360 specialists for Nicaragua in the humanities, medicine, agriculture, economics, and law. And for Serbia, over 100 specialists in philology, engineering, economics, law, and the humanities and social sciences.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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The 12th Russian Biotechnology Forum, OpenBio, took place at the end of September. This major event brings together representatives of science, business, and government to address the challenges of ensuring the sustainable development of the biotechnology industry and the national economy. The program included expert discussions, roundtables, presentations by industry leaders, master classes, and technology and equipment presentations.

Following the three days of work, the scientific jury recognized the best papers in each section. One of the winners in the "Biotechnology" section was Alena Borisova, a second-year master's student at the RUDN University Institute of Medicine (Gene and Tissue Engineering program) and a researcher at the Institute of Gene Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences. At the forum, she presented a paper titled "Creation of an Isogenic Cell Model Using CRISPR/Cas9 to Assess CFTR Ion Channel Function."

We spoke with Alena to find out what the most popular topics were at the forum, the relevance of her work, and her plans for future research. We also asked her for advice for schoolchildren and students on how to succeed in biotechnology.

What key trend or challenge in the biotech industry was the leitmotif of this year's OpenBio forum? What was the most frequently discussed topic?

The forum's leitmotif was the strategic development of two interconnected areas: the transition from scientific discoveries to their accessible and large-scale application, and strengthening the country's scientific and technological sovereignty. The emphasis shifted from the innovations themselves to their practical implementation. The key challenge today is not simply creating a breakthrough technology, but establishing its effective implementation in production and ensuring its widespread availability to the economy and society.

This trend was evident in scientists' presentations on developments in the field of future medicine. Increasingly, the focus is not on finding a cure for a single disease, but on creating universal platforms that can be used to quickly develop drugs for a variety of purposes. Prominent examples of such platforms, which were actively discussed, include mRNA technologies (which everyone became aware of thanks to the COVID-19 vaccines).

At the same time, other innovative areas are rapidly developing: gene and cell therapy and new drug delivery systems. These open up new possibilities in the fight against oncological, autoimmune, infectious, and hereditary diseases. Adapting the regulatory framework has also become an important part of the dialogue, as existing regulations must keep pace with the rapid development of such innovations, ensuring they reach patients more quickly.

Tell us about your report and project. What is an "isogenic cell model" and what is it applicable for? What were you able to discover using the model you created, and what are the next steps in this research?

As part of a project at the Institute of Gene Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, my colleagues and I are working to create a convenient and relevant cell model of cystic fibrosis, a severe hereditary disease caused by mutations in the CFTR gene. Since there is currently no universal treatment for this disease, the search for new therapeutic approaches is extremely urgent, and this requires adequate laboratory models that allow for the initial screening of potential drugs.

Our goal is to create a universal tool capable of accelerating the development of treatments for patients who currently remain untreated. To do this, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing method to create what's called an isogenic cell model. Essentially, this is a pair of cell lines that are genetically identical in every way except for one altered region—in our case, the CFTR gene. We took healthy cells and "turned off" this gene, creating a system: one line serves as a healthy control, and the other as a disease model.

The key advantage of this approach is that any observed differences in drug response will be associated specifically with the target mutation, rather than the overall genetic background. This significantly increases the accuracy of experiments. Furthermore, our model can be used for fundamental studies of disease pathogenesis and CFTR protein function.

In addition to creating the cell line itself, we developed a functional assay based on it to evaluate CFTR protein function in cells. CFTR normally functions as an ion channel, responsible for transporting chloride ions and maintaining water balance in tissues. To visualize the consequences of its absence, we grew three-dimensional structures from the cells—miniature replicas of organs. Healthy cells formed structures with an internal cavity, while cells with cystic fibrosis formed only dense spheroids without a cavity. When we activated CFTR by adding a special substance to our model, the healthy structures began to swell and increase in volume, as their cells were able to transport chloride ions and water into the internal cavity. This response was not observed in cells with a defective CFTR, as this transport mechanism was impaired. Thus, our system allows for direct observation of the physiological consequences of cystic fibrosis-related disorders in the laboratory.

We plan to further validate the resulting model using therapeutic agents to confirm its clinical significance. After that, we plan to actively use it to screen new potential drugs for cystic fibrosis.

What advice would you give to schoolchildren or students who would like to connect their lives with modern biotechnology?

First of all, I want to emphasize: modern biotechnology requires broad interdisciplinary knowledge. The most interesting discoveries today are born at the intersection of sciences. Knowing only biology or chemistry is no longer enough. A good biotechnologist is a specialist with deep knowledge in one field and a broad perspective in related ones. Therefore, I advise schoolchildren and students to love biology, but not to forget about mathematics, physics, and chemistry, and not to neglect "non-core" subjects. And it's also essential to be familiar with IT—the ability to work with data has become the new superpower of modern scientists. And yes, English is a gateway to the global scientific community; you can't get anywhere without it.

It's also helpful to develop soft skills: participate in public speaking, try your hand at project work, and actively network. Case competitions are a great opportunity for students to do this. The ability to work in a team and communicate your ideas is just as important as conducting a successful experiment!

Based on my experience, I also recommend immersing yourself in a real scientific environment as early as possible, starting lab internships as early as your first year. This way, you'll not only be able to apply your knowledge in practice but also truly understand the purpose of all those complex topics covered in class. When you encounter a real scientific problem and see how theory works in a real experiment, the whole picture finally comes together. It's also important to keep up with trends in your field of interest—reading scientific literature and familiarizing yourself with the latest research.

But the most valuable advice, in my opinion—and it's useful not only for future biotechnologists—is to take advantage of every opportunity for development offered by school, university, and even life itself. And to seek them out yourself! You never know what might be useful in the future, but every experience makes us stronger.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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The FINOPOLIS 2025 Forum of Innovative Financial Technologies, organized by the Bank of Russia, took place in Sochi. One of the key topics of the event was the impact of artificial intelligence on the financial market.

Viktor Dostov, Professor of the Department of Applied Artificial Intelligence at RUDN University and Chairman of the Electronic Money Association (EMA), presented at the session "Digital Divide: AI – the 'Great Equalizer' or the 'Great Divider'?" The discussion was moderated by Mikhail Mamuta, Head of the Bank of Russia's Service for Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion.

Session participants discussed key challenges associated with the use of AI, including the risk of increasing inequality, the problem of imposing decisions on clients, and the issue of trust in algorithms.

In his speech, Viktor Leonidovich touched on a fundamental aspect of technological development, noting that any new technology is initially inferior to traditional solutions, but it is precisely in this "weakness" that lies the potential for a future breakthrough.

"AI still leads to some leveling, and therefore contributes to progress," says Viktor Dostov.

The expert also presented his view on the future of the financial sector, where traditional credit institutions are being transformed by artificial intelligence.

"At the same time, we will truly get new banks—AI agents in place of traditional credit institutions. This transformation will ultimately benefit all market participants, and most importantly, consumers, who will receive more personalized, efficient, and accessible financial services," says Viktor Dostov.

Also at the session, representatives from the Bank of Russia, the State Duma, and leading financial companies (such as Sber, Alfa-Bank, T-Bank, Yandex, and others) discussed the need for legislative regulation of AI, the importance of maintaining customer trust, and ethical risks, including the potential for manipulation of consumer behavior. There was no consensus on whether AI is a "divider" or an "equalizer," but all experts agreed that the impact of artificial intelligence on the financial sector will only increase.

Viktor Leonidovich's participation in the FINOPOLIS 2025 forum underscored the importance of the RUDN University scientific community in shaping the expert agenda in the field of AI and its practical application in the Russian economy. Our university's Faculty of Artificial Intelligence, supported by a grant from the Ministry of Digital Development, continues to expand and strengthen its academic and professional ties to implement top-level educational programs in this field.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko chaired a meeting on the development of target funds and other forms of charitable support for educational and scientific organizations.

The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Andrei Omelchuk, Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Olga Koludarova, representatives of other ministries and departments, scientific organizations, and university rectors (MIPT, HSE, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, etc.).

In preparation for Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's strategy session, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science has formed seven working groups that are developing proposals for creating tools to support universities with their graduates and improving mechanisms for the formation and use of endowment funds for educational institutions addressing pressing industry issues.

The meeting presented the results of their activities over the past three months. The groups developed proposals for support tools; conducted a survey of over 100 successful and well-known graduates from 20 universities with large endowment funds; developed proposals for a list and methodology for collecting key indicators to assess the current state of endowment funds; and conducted an analysis of current legislation.

"President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin has instructed that proposals be submitted for developing tools to support educational institutions through their graduates, as well as for improving the mechanisms for forming and using endowment funds (EFFs) for educational institutions. According to statistics, every second EFF in Russia operates in the education sector—approximately 40% of all funds. Moreover, over 36% of these funds are in higher education. It is necessary to strategically expand the geography of these funds, creating them not only in higher education but also in schools, secondary vocational education institutions, and research organizations," said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

Over the past 18 years, more than 400 endowment funds have been created in our country, with total assets exceeding 155.5 billion rubles. In 2024, the volume of funds invested in these funds increased by 8.6%, indicating increased confidence in this long-term financing instrument for socially significant projects. The Deputy Prime Minister added that Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has instructed the development of proposals for additional measures to support the development of endowment funds at universities. In accordance with the Ministry of Education and Science's instruction, the Concept for the Development of Endowment Funds for Universities and Research Organizations for 2025-2035 and its methodological recommendations have been approved.

"Today, the Ministry of Education and Science, together with other agencies, is actively working to increase the attractiveness and sustainability of endowments. It is crucial for us that endowments in Russia are growing, and we are creating the conditions for their further development. This work is based on extensive research involving over a hundred experts. Based on market analysis and surveys, key challenges and proposed solutions have been identified and will be further developed. In developing these measures, we are focusing on increasing trust and removing administrative barriers, including expanding tax incentives and promoting endowments. These steps will strengthen the funds' financial stability and improve their performance," noted Andrey Omelchuk, Deputy Minister of Education and Science.

The "Education and Promotion" working group conducted a survey of successful graduates of Russian universities to identify barriers and incentives for their participation in the formation and development of university endowment funds. The survey revealed that 71% of graduates are aware of the concept of endowment funds, and almost half of those surveyed—45%—are willing to make regular small payments to support endowment funds.

Ivan Lobanov, Rector of the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, noted the increasing number of specialized educational programs for training qualified personnel for foundations: by 2025, there are several thousand potential students affiliated with more than 400 foundations, as well as more than 1,000 potential course participants working at higher education institutions.

MIPT Rector Dmitry Livanov noted that an analysis of best global practices shows that the successful development of endowments is possible with a combination of three factors: flexible regulation, active university participation, and low entry barriers for small foundations.

"In Russia today, only the first step has been fully implemented. Therefore, our task is to create the necessary conditions: reduce administrative and financial barriers for small endowments, empower universities to support their endowments from the start, and develop platform solutions that dramatically reduce costs. We are convinced that a dedicated government support program is also necessary for accelerated market growth. This will allow us to create a modern endowment infrastructure and make endowments a viable source of long-term investment in education and science," noted Dmitry Livanov.

Stanislav Prokofiev, Rector of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, outlined key measures for tax and non-tax incentives for endowment funds.

"These measures, according to the working group, should include quick wins in the form of simplified administrative procedures for creating and administering endowment funds based on out-of-the-box solutions, and the creation of model documents designed to help small endowment funds register and begin operations," he said.

Speaking about the medium-term outlook, Stanislav Prokofiev emphasized the need to improve legislation, as well as to ensure the flexibility and transparency of the Federal Center for Strategic Development and the expansion of investment instruments.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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The Skolkovo Foundation (VEB.RF Group), together with the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the country's leading industrial companies, announced the launch of the sixth cycle of "GreenTech Sustainable Development," Russia's largest program for developing an industrial supplier ecosystem. Applications from technology developers will be accepted until October 20, 2025.

Over its six years of existence, the program has transformed from an industry accelerator into a federal platform shaping the sustainable development agenda for domestic industry. It aims to address the strategic challenges of industrial enterprises through the implementation of cutting-edge Russian developments.

Directions for applications

In the new cycle, the program expands its focus: the number of selection areas has been increased to five.

Partners are interested in exploring technologies in the following areas:

ecology; industrial safety; resource efficiency; production infrastructure management; biotechnology for food security (new direction this year).

"Industry is the driver of the country's technological development, and the implementation of innovative solutions in key sectors can ensure the rapid and effective achievement of the Russian Federation's national development goals. Over the past six years, the GreenTech Sustainable Development program has become a working platform where the needs of industry meet the offerings of Russian developers. Following the previous selection process, 68 projects were developed, 22 of which are already in the implementation stages," said Nikolai Bulatov, Director of Energy-Intensive Production at the Skolkovo Foundation.

Participants in the 2025 program will receive the following opportunities:

Direct access to industrial customers for pilot projects; expert support for tailoring solutions to market needs; and the opportunity to apply for grant funding from the Skolkovo Foundation of up to 10 million rubles.

Successful cases

The effectiveness of the program is confirmed by the actual implementation of technologies by its finalists.

Skolkovo participant REDSYSTEMS has developed a portable diagnostic device for analyzing the energy parameters of diesel locomotive units. The solution allows testing in 3–15 minutes with a 99.5% accuracy rate, laying the foundation for predictive equipment maintenance. A pilot implementation of the device is planned at a Severstal plant.

SIMPLE CAMPAIGNS received a 7 million ruble grant and successfully implemented its software for managing the efficiency of production assets at the Tosol-Sintez plant, a major automotive chemicals manufacturer. The integration took five days, and the six-month economic impact amounted to 14 million rubles, thanks to reduced procurement and a 15% reduction in equipment downtime.

The development of the program's finalist, DekStream, received support from partner Gazprom Neft and a grant from Skolkovo. It is a system for monitoring pipeline detachments from foundation supports in permafrost conditions. As part of the pilot project, the IoT platform was refined and specialized position sensors were developed.

Overall, since the GreenTech Sustainable Development program was launched, the organizers have received over 3,800 applications, with over 400 projects becoming finalists and being reviewed by experts. Over a hundred technologies have been successfully implemented at customer enterprises.

Contact information for applications and further information

Official website of the program: http://greentech.sk.ru/.

Contact person at RUDN: Yatsenko Elena Borisovna, Yatsenko_eb@pfor.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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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The RUDN University Institute of Medicine hosted two delegations: one from Tashkent State Medical University and the other from the Termez branch of the Tashkent Medical Academy. Students from Uzbek universities completed a five-day educational course entitled "Outpatient Neurology and Somnology."

Uzbek students highly praised the professor's professionalism and expressed gratitude to RUDN for the opportunity to become familiar with our university's curriculum.

"It was a truly amazing experience. Mikhail Vladimirovich explained everything very clearly, shared practical examples, and truly engaged me—the learning was interesting and easy. The atmosphere in the classes was warm and friendly, so the time flew by. Over these few days, I gained not only new knowledge but also the motivation to move forward in neurology. A huge thank you to RUDN for the opportunity to take these courses and for creating the conditions for student development," said Madinabonu Aktamova, a sixth-year student at TSMU.

The students were particularly impressed by the atmosphere at our university: openness, friendliness, and willingness to help. They were also impressed by the comfortable dormitory accommodations. Upon completion of the training, the delegations expressed their sincere gratitude to the course organizers and the entire RUDN faculty.

"This was a unique opportunity for us to learn about modern approaches to diagnosing and treating nervous system disorders, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of somnology in medical practice. We are confident that the experience we gained will serve as an important foundation for our future medical work and will contribute to strengthening cooperation between our countries and institutions," said Muattar Ibodullaeva, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Medicine of the TMA.

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.

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Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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On October 13, RUDN University will launch a continuing education program, "Planning and Developing High-Tech Agricultural Projects," for heads of agricultural colleges and technical schools.

The initiative is being implemented with the support of the general sponsor, JSC Rosselkhozbank, and is aimed at improving the qualifications of mid-level management personnel in agricultural education.

The program was launched at the 2nd All-Russian Forum of Directors of Agricultural Vocational Education, which took place on October 7 at the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation on the eve of Agricultural Workers' Day.

The training program will take place from October 13 to 17 and is expected to involve 80 people.

The course is 18 academic hours long, free of charge, and includes the following sections:

New professions in agriculture and the RUDN University global project Agrocon. Strategy for agricultural transformation. Fundamentals of project management and their application in the agro-industrial complex. Legal framework for the commercialization of educational and production complexes. Digital technologies and smart agriculture.

Upon completion of the training, participants will take a final test.

The program's closing ceremony will take place at Agrocon 2025, where those who complete the training will receive certificates of advanced training.

About the All-Russian Forum of Directors of Agricultural Vocational Education

The forum brought together more than 80 heads of agricultural colleges and technical schools from 30 regions of Russia—from the Lugansk People's Republic to the Kamchatka Territory—as well as representatives of leading agricultural enterprises: JSC Malino, AgroTerra Group, STEPPE Holding, and others.

Event organizers:

JSC Rosselkhozbank, the State Duma of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the Union of Directors of Secondary Vocational Education of Russia, and the Russian Union of Rural Youth.

"The secondary vocational education system is a vital link in the training of qualified personnel for the agricultural sector. We strive to develop a professional community, support the heads of educational institutions, and facilitate the exchange of best practices between regions," emphasized Lyubov Belesku, Advisor to the Chairman of the Board of JSC Rosselkhozbank.

At the forum, participants discussed state policy in secondary vocational education, interactions with universities, agricultural schools, and industrial partners, as well as staffing issues in the agricultural sector. Directors of agricultural colleges and technical schools were also awarded departmental certificates and letters of gratitude for their long-term work and contribution to the development of agricultural education.

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.

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Historical conferences, meetings with political scientists and archaeologists, and interesting projects. This is the life of the activists who belong to the Student Scientific Society of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities at RUDN University. It took third place in the competition among university student scientific societies.

We spoke with the society's chairman, Alexander Mironenko (a first-year master's student at the Federal State Social Sciences and Humanities Faculty, majoring in "Russia in History and the Modern World"), and he told us about the interesting events the NSO hosts, how the society helps students overcome their fears, and the organization's plans for the future.

Tell us about your NSO for those who don't know about you yet. How would you describe the community in three words?

Our student research society is a large and close-knit group of students who see the humanities or their popularization as their calling. It's important to note that our society is a partnership that shapes and strengthens the traditions of student research! To use three words: family, research, future.

How and when did the NSO emerge? Who were its founders, and how has it evolved since its inception?

The society's history dates back to December 2009, but in 2020-2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NSO FSGS temporarily suspended its activities. The "modern" history of the NSO began in late 2022, when I was elected Chairman of the Society's Council in December of that year. At that time, my team and I began a flurry of activity to create a new structure, as well as new media outlets and a development plan for the society. Among the individuals who were at the NSO's core from the very first days were Georgy Ananidze, Boris Levchenkov, Alexander Erzhenkov, Alexey Firsov, and Kirill Ershov. Later, our ranks were bolstered by such strong activists as Anna Kuzmina and Anastasia Morugova. Of course, we won't hide the fact that the first group of activists consisted primarily of historians (including myself), but we soon assembled a Council representing all areas of the faculty.

How many students at the institute are members of the NSO? Who makes up the core group, and how are the community's responsibilities distributed?

The number is constantly changing—members come and go. Currently, the NSO FGSN membership exceeds 150 people. However, surprisingly, the number of activists will decrease in the near future. This is due to the fact that the society is growing stronger, and, accordingly, the "demand" for activists is increasing. From now on, we will consider activists to be those who work on organizing and preparing events. Personnel are everything! The core of the NSO consists primarily of third- and fourth-year undergraduate students and first-year master's students. The society's structure consists of a Council, which includes the chairmen of student research groups at the faculty, as well as four working departments: media, the secretariat, the external communications department, and the scientific and organizational department.

What are the main areas of activity of the society?

I would highlight three main areas of activity. The first is science popularization. To this end, we host a variety of events that allow us to communicate scientific knowledge clearly to students, and we also develop various content for our social media channels. The second area is consulting. We help students from their junior years immerse themselves in the field of student science at the university. The third area is research. As part of scientific and technical events organized by the NSO (round tables, conferences), our activists conduct extensive and serious scientific work in a wide range of areas.

Please provide examples of the most significant and impactful projects NSO has implemented over the past year. What exactly did the participants do, and what were the results?

This year, our faculty launched a fully functioning academic mentoring program. The student committee supported us in this endeavor, and academic mentors from the NSO now take all first-year groups under their wing, establishing contacts with the class monitors. This spring, we held two major events dedicated to the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. For example, we held an international roundtable discussion on "The Contribution of the National Republics and Regions of the USSR to Victory in the Great Patriotic War." Furthermore, the NSO FGSN participated in organizing an all-Russian conference on military history at the Russian History Department. I'd also like to highlight the projects of the Council of People's Commissars (SPC). For example, our SPC "Internationalist" is conducting large-scale diplomatic simulations, while sociologists are holding a pseudo-scientific conference. The SPC "Historian" runs a course on military genealogy, for which I am a lecturer. We even visited the Sochi branch of RUDN University to give genealogy lectures.

How does participation in the NSO help students of the Federal State Educational Institutions of the Russian Federation in their professional and personal growth?

Firstly, it's an opportunity for students to meet like-minded individuals, which facilitates the exchange of experience and knowledge. It's also a chance to collaborate on joint projects. It's pure networking! Furthermore, NSO offers the opportunity to participate in various university and national events, including prestigious and grant competitions and conferences. It's important to note that NSO doesn't just inform; it also provides various types of support. Of course, participating in the society's events is a wonderful opportunity to meet a wide range of specialists in various fields.

Being an activist develops a variety of skills, including leadership, communication, and organizational skills. In the community, you can not only broaden your horizons but also overcome some of your fears—fear of public speaking, fear of responsibility, and many others. Our NSO will soon host an activist school, where our experienced activists will introduce students to the fundamentals of various activities. And, of course, anyone can find friends and wonderful company in the NSO!

Does the academic community collaborate with any organizations or companies? Do you organize meetings for students with historians, political scientists, archaeologists, and other specialists?

Our NSO collaborates with several universities and organizations. For example, we have held and continue to hold joint events with the Russian State University for the Humanities, the Armenian State Pedagogical University, and the Belarusian State University. In addition to external organizations, we collaborate with RUDN University associations, including the student committee of the Federal State Social Sciences and the patriotic student society "Dialogue."

Events featuring invited experts are a regular feature of our society. We regularly feature military historians (Artem Drabkin, Evgeny Norin, Maxim Olenev), practicing archaeologists (staff from the Institute of Archaeology), diplomats, political scientists, and many other scholars.

What do you think enabled NSO to win the competition? What sets you apart from other student research organizations at the university?

The main reason for NSO's success is its people. The team working at the society is talented, proactive, energetic, and committed, coming from a wide range of backgrounds! What sets us apart, I believe, is the tradition and continuity that have developed over the past three years.

What goals does the scientific community have for next year? What projects are you planning?

I've already mentioned the school for activists, that is, the training of young but professional personnel. Furthermore, we plan to develop inter-university and international ties. We plan to launch new popular science formats that will allow us to communicate scientific knowledge to an ever-larger audience.

How can a student become part of your community?

It's easy and simple! Fill out the application form linked to our NSO social media (http://t.te/sopfurfgsn/545 ). Or submit an application through the RUDN University Central Research Center bot.

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.