Category: Российский университет дружбы народов

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

RUDN University economics students learned how to verify dates in documents and find optimal solutions to problems during the business simulation game "Internal Auditor of an Industrial Enterprise 2025," which took place in late September in the coworking space of the main building.

Ten teams from our university, the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, MISIS, the Russian State Geological Prospecting University, P.G. Demidov Yaroslavl State University, and the Russian New University competed under the watchful eyes of experts in their skills in preparing high-quality audit reports. The game was organized by RUDN University and the Institute of Internal Auditors.

A friendly team

"The competition atmosphere was relaxed. Everything was new and very interesting for us. The most unexpected thing was that, at the end of the event, it turned out we'd been paying completely attention to the wrong details, which the expert later highlighted. Naturally, we were a little disappointed, but the main thing is that we understood what auditors do and what they pay attention to in their work," said Alina Yunusova, a third-year Bachelor's student in the Economics Department of RUDN University (Accounting and Auditing program).

The RUDN team was very well-coordinated, even though it was their first time working together. Things really took off as soon as the roles were assigned.

"From the very first minute, Alina showed initiative and became our leader, which we were all delighted about. On her command, we began analyzing documents and immediately got to work. Everyone made a significant contribution: Zakhar and Vika handled the contracts, Elina and I handled the calculations, and Alina coordinated the entire process. We never argued once and became a close-knit team," says Akinai Kylychbekova, a third-year Bachelor's student in the Economics Department of RUDN University (Accounting and Auditing major).

"Without a doubt, the studies and knowledge we gained at RUDN University in our first and second years of the Economics Department helped us throughout the entire business simulation. This was especially true during the interview with the company we were auditing. We had to carefully and, most importantly, clearly formulate the questions we were asking," says Vika Volobueva, a third-year undergraduate student in the Economics Department at RUDN University (Accounting and Auditing).

As the students noted, the most difficult part of the game for them was understanding the scheme by which the money is divided between the chief engineer and the inspector.

"The competition taught us that we need to carefully review documents and pay attention to dates, not just business processes; to build logical chains and find optimal solutions," said Zakhar Leonov, a third-year Bachelor's student in the Faculty of Economics at RUDN University (Accounting and Auditing major).

Advice from a professional

The teams' performance during the game was observed and assessed by leading specialists and heads of departments responsible for internal audit, control, and risk management from companies such as Ozon, AFK Sistema, PhosAgro, Rostec, and others. The teams had the opportunity to interact with the experts and ask them questions.

"We had the opportunity to speak with representatives of Ozon and IVA. They gave us important advice: 'Try to learn everything through practice, as lectures are often difficult to understand.' They emphasized that participating in this game gave us much more than just a theoretical understanding of the lessons," said Elina Askerbekova, a third-year undergraduate student in the Faculty of Economics at RUDN University (Accounting and Auditing).

The students emphasized that the presence of so many people who are involved in their profession further motivated them to achieve good results.

The winners of the game were students from the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation. However, the RUDN team wasn't upset about not finishing first. According to the students, the competition helped them immerse themselves in their profession and provided them with a wealth of useful knowledge for the future.

"Based on the game, we realized that the auditor's profession is the work of an investigator among contracts and a detective in accounting," says Zakhar Leonov.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this project. We learned in detail what internal audit is, and everyone was able to discover this profession for themselves and determine whether it's right for them," says Alina Yunusova.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the end of 2024, a research team of students from the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences at RUDN University—Artur Busardykov, Mikhail Geller, and Kamil Mekhdiev—received a 4 million ruble grant from the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises (FASI) to develop their startup, Skopeo.AI. Over the past few months, the team has not only refined the product but also gone from an idea to a ready-made solution, which is already being tested by its first partners.

Study, career, startup

The startup's founders combine their studies at RUDN University with work at large companies and their own project. Artur Busardykov, the team's driving force and mastermind, previously held the position of senior DevOps engineer at Innotech (a VTB project), but is now focused on Skopeo.AI and a couple of other personal IT projects. Mikhail Geller, who previously served as a lead DevOps engineer at ET Consulting (RosAtom), is also currently focusing on Skopeo.AI. Kamil Mekhdiev, having gained experience as a business analyst at BEORG, a company specializing in the development of intelligent systems based on neural networks, has moved to the position of team lead at VTB and continues to remain on the team.

"Experience with large IT organizations gave us an understanding of real business pain points: the cost of downtime, the labor-intensive nature of manual scaling, the complexity of multi-cloud management, and observability/audit requirements. This directly informed the Skopeo.AI architecture," says Artur Busardykov, Bachelor of Science (BSc) in the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, and Humanities, majoring in Applied Mathematics and Computer Science.

From concept to working prototype

Skopeo.AI was conceived as a multi-cloud platform for managing Kubernetes clusters, helping businesses reduce cloud resource costs, improve infrastructure resiliency, and automate processes, eliminating the need for manual configuration.

Key features of Skopeo.AI:

Automatic scaling of cloud resources; load optimization and prevention of application downtime; monitoring and data analysis using artificial intelligence.

"The platform makes business infrastructure transparent, cost-effective, and efficient," says Artur Busardykov.

Today, the team can summarize its initial results. According to Artur, a working platform prototype has been built (cluster agents, server analytics, and a web panel). The MVP is in the final stages of refinement: the team is completing production scenarios for autoscaling and recommendations and polishing the UI. A pilot demonstration of the service is planned for the end of the year.

What was implemented with the 4 million ruble FSI grant?

The funds made it possible to create a fully functional platform framework:

Kubernetes agent (metrics collection, events, fault-tolerant delivery); server side: time series storage, load forecasting (Prophet/XGBoost/CatBoost), recommendation module; web panel: dashboards, forecasts with confidence intervals, list of recommendations and their application history, action audit; REST API and webhooks for integrations, basic economic analytics (assessment of potential savings); CI/CD, Helm charts, on-prem and cloud builds, security (TLS, RBAC, SSO/OAuth2).

Overcoming challenges

The months of development weren't without challenges. The team encountered several issues and found solutions. To eliminate noisy metrics and jagged time series, they added cleansing/normalization, an aggregation window, and confidence intervals, improving model robustness.

The team solved the problem of integrating into heterogeneous clusters by moving the setting to Helm-values and adding an autodetection component (metrics-server/kube-state-metrics/Prometheus). To balance automation versus control, they introduced policies with trust levels: "warn," "suggest," and "automatically execute with rollback."

The team has already conducted internal platform testing at partner facilities. The results showed that the recommendations effectively reduce CPU/RAM overhead. The goal is now to achieve a 30–50% savings from the service in real-world environments.

Team and partnership development

The project team remains compact but effective. It still consists of a Senior ML Engineer and two DevOps engineers. The startuppers also selectively engage external experts for project tasks (UI/UX, security) and developers.

An important achievement for the guys was the establishment of business connections.

"We're actively building and expanding our partner pool: we've already agreed on pilot projects with several companies and systems integrators, and we're continuing to seek new entry points and industry contacts. We don't plan to attract investors yet; we're focusing on expert support. One of our external advisors is experienced engineer and entrepreneur Mikhail Teplov: he helps us with mentoring and industry contacts," says Artur Busardykov.

The team's plans for the coming years are concrete and ambitious:

2025: Complete MVP, conduct 3-5 pilots, validate savings, release commercial pricing plans (on-premise SaaS), close key integrations (Prometheus/Grafana, GitOps, billing); 2026: Scaling sales (e-commerce, financial sector), expanding recommendation logic (SLA/budgets), federating multi-clusters, auto-remediation with secure "railguards," and cloud partnerships. The team also continues to participate in grant programs.

The students are currently preparing an application for the next stage of the competition, which is being held by the Federal Social Research Fund, and are looking at industrial tracks (IT accelerators, regional support measures).

The example of Artur, Mikhail, and Kamil is a story about how one can successfully combine studies, career, and entrepreneurship, creating innovations that can change the approach to working with technology.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A delegation from Tanzania, led by the country's Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Ms. Pindi Hazara Chana, visited RUDN University and discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the university and the African country with our university's President, Vladimir Filippov. RUDN University also invited the minister to participate in a forum of graduates of Russian and Soviet universities, which will be held in Tanzania next week.

Ms. Chana is a graduate of the RUDN University Law Institute, so every visit to her alma mater is special for her.

"I still remember walking through the university's classrooms with notebooks full of notes, a head full of questions, and a heart full of hope. This university doesn't just teach; it transforms people. And I want to tell the students that they are the heart of RUDN University. The ideas they discuss here, the friendships they create, the challenges they overcome—all of this becomes part of a much larger story. Not just their own, but also that of their country," says Pindi Hazara Chana, Tanzania's Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism.

Demand for education in Russia

RUDN University currently has 61 students from the United Republic of Tanzania studying at all levels, with the largest number of Tanzanian nationals enrolled in the Medical School and Engineering Academy. Over the course of its existence, the university has trained 1,105 specialists for the country. Among the university's successful graduates are Mzirai Peter Johnson, President of the Tanzania Progressive Party, and Elizabeth Gabriel, Head of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Labor (Construction).

RUDN University has signed two agreements and a memorandum of cooperation with the University of Dar es Salaam and one memorandum with the Dar es Salaam Institute of Technology. The Tanzanian government and RUDN University leadership are interested in expanding this partnership to other universities.

"Demand for education in Russia remains high among Tanzanians. Therefore, we welcome any proposals regarding students, whether it be student exchanges or increasing study quotas," said Fredrick Ibrahim Kibuta, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Tanzania to the Russian Federation.

According to RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov, during a meeting with the Tanzanian delegation in 2023, the possibility of increasing the number of places in the law school's graduate and master's programs for students from Tanzania was previously discussed.

"We also wanted to develop continuing education programs with you and organize internships for students—your students in Russia, and ours in Tanzania. Furthermore, we discussed engaging university students as volunteers where their assistance is needed. For example, in the hospitality industry during the peak tourist season," said Vladimir Filippov, President of RUDN University.

Science and double degrees

Ms. Chana noted that Tanzania would welcome volunteers from Russia and their assistance in the areas of tourism, forestry, and natural resources. She also suggested joint research on plants that are harmful to the republic's environment. In response to the Tanzanian proposal, Elena Savenkova, Director of the RUDN University Institute of Ecology, responded that the university intends to increase the number of joint scientific publications with scientists.

"Furthermore, we are interested in expanding our partnership in the area of dual degrees at various levels, developing joint educational materials, programs on government regulation of environmental issues, environmental management, and organizing summer and winter schools for students," says Elena Savenkova.

"Following the meeting, we agreed that Ms. Chana will participate in the opening ceremony of the Russian and Soviet University Alumni Forum in Tanzania, as well as separately with RUDN University Rector Oleg Yastrebov on October 7. With her assistance, we will also organize a number of events with educational institutions in the republic. This includes lectures by our university professors for local officials and faculty, either on the hospitality industry or ecology. We expect a decision from the Tanzanian side soon and hope for further fruitful cooperation," said Marina Rekets, RUDN University Vice-Rector for International Affairs.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A project on the safety of air conditioners at home, Adyghe dances, and an interactive game with a renowned political scientist. The Summer Methodological University, in which RUDN University Institute of Ecology student Daria Dobrova participated, was a very eventful program.

An educational session organized by Adygea State University took place at the "Mountain Legend" tourist center in the picturesque foothills of the Caucasus. Over 50 students, graduate students, and faculty spent the week working on project solutions that address key contemporary challenges.

This year's theme was: "People in a Changing Reality: Security, Risks, Challenges."

Summer University participants developed solutions in four critical areas:

environmental safety; socio-cultural security; technological and information security; economic and managerial security.

"This wasn't just a study session, but a whole adventure that began from the very first day, when we were taken to the Mountain Legend base. It was here, surrounded by majestic mountains, that we spent our entire action-packed week—a week of study, creativity, and true connection with nature and like-minded people," says Daria Dobrova, a second-year Bachelor's student at the RUDN University Institute of Ecology (Energy and Resource-Saving Processes in Chemical Engineering, Petrochemistry, and Biotechnology).

Playing diplomats

On the very first day after arrival, the participants immersed themselves in lectures that laid the foundation for their future project work. Throughout the week, a professor from Adygea State University worked with the students, helping them refine their projects and present their interim results to faculty and other teams. In addition to fundamental lectures, the students enjoyed teambuilding workshops and in-depth psychological counseling, which helped them better understand not only the project but also themselves. Another memorable event was a lecture by renowned journalist and political scientist Fyodor Lukyanov on global politics. Specifically, he and the students discussed the recent US-Russia summit in Alaska. The very next day, Fyodor organized an interactive simulation game of international relations for the university participants.

"By trying to solve global problems and starting wars, we felt like real diplomats," says Daria Dobrova.

A special feature of the program was immersion into the region's cultural environment. Participants fondly remembered the ethnic evening, where they learned about captivating Adyghe dances and participated in a master class on their performance.

"And what a delicious finale to the evening! We made traditional pies—haluzhi—and devoured them with joy," says Daria Dobrova.

The university participants also experienced the unique natural beauty of the Caucasus. They hiked to the Rufabgo waterfalls, visited the Lago-Naki gorge, the mysterious Azishskaya cave, and the Azish-Tau ridge. According to Daria, the natural beauty energized and inspired the students.

Air conditioners and security

As for projects, Daria worked with a team on ideas in the "Environmental Safety" category. As the student noted, the goal of the summer university was to teach participants how to approach projects in a way that would qualify for grant funding. Her team settled on the topic of air conditioner safety in everyday life.

"Many people outside of work, where the temperature, cleaning, and operation of the air conditioner are strictly defined by regulations, don't know how to use it properly. They don't know how to set the temperature according to the weather outside, or how often to clean the filters. Even though the unit always comes with instructions, many don't go beyond the assembly pages and use it intuitively," says Daria Dobrova.

The girl's team presented a study on "Young People's Awareness of the Impact of Split-Systems on Human Health." The survey was conducted among summer university participants, so the project was aimed at young people. The presentation was successful, and, according to Daria, the faculty's overall response to all the students' work was positive.

"I left the shift physically tired, but incredibly happy. The Summer Methodological University gave me not just knowledge and a project, but a sea of emotions, new friends, and the feeling that I spent this time with great benefit for both my mind and soul," says Daria Dobrova.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

He is a symbol of solidarity, the struggle for freedom, independence, and justice for the people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and all of Africa as a whole. Of course, we are talking about Patrice Lumumba—an outstanding politician who died for the sovereignty of his country, after whom RUDN University bears its name. In honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of this hero of the DRC, our university hosted an international conference.

The event marked another step in strengthening and developing relations between the university and the African continent. A delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Patrice Lumumba's daughter, Juliana, attended.

"My father was killed when I was three years old. I don't remember much, but I do remember sitting in his office and watching him work. I can't describe the emotions and joy I feel being here in Moscow, and especially at Peoples' Friendship University. The USSR was the first country to recognize Congo's independence and protest after my father's death. And I am gratified to know that 100 years later, so many young people here at RUDN carry on the values of Patrice Lumumba. Namely: freedom, justice, and, most importantly, sovereignty. RUDN embodies these values through its mission, education, and what the university does for the world," says Juliana Lumumba.

"Since 1961, our university has proudly borne the name of Patrice Lumumba, embodying our special connection with the African continent. That's why we see our special mission in preserving Lumumba's memory and disseminating information about his life and legacy among young people. This is especially relevant today, as African countries confront neocolonialism and fight for equality and genuine national sovereignty. We believe that by providing high-quality education, we provide significant support to the entire continent in this regard," said Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University.

According to Oleg Aleksandrovich, over decades of work, the university has developed friendly and partnership relations with Africa. More than 15,000 specialists trained at the university work across the continent. They have made and continue to make significant contributions to the development of their countries and the strengthening of relations between Russia and Africa. To further develop this partnership, the university's rector signed an agreement with the Center for Culture and Arts for Central African Countries, as well as a work program with the Congolese Diplomatic Academy. In keeping with African tradition, palm wine was opened to celebrate the signing, and a few drops were spilled on the table, symbolizing the strength and sincerity of the agreement.

"This event means to us that we want to build a relationship with RUDN that will allow Congolese and Russians to see each other without clichés and prejudices, in a real-life setting, and to get to know each other scientifically, culturally, and artistically. We would like young people from Kinshasa (the capital of Congo) to come here to study artificial intelligence and learn Russian. And we would be happy to host students from Russia and share our knowledge with them. Your university has a very strong charisma and appeal. It is a kind of temptation for Africans. After all, since its inception, the university has been educating Africans. It has given our continent engineers and doctors, and this continues to this day," said Baloufu Bakupa Kininda, Director of the Center for Culture and Art for Central Africa.

Photos through the decades

After signing the documents, the Congolese delegation, along with the rector, went to lay flowers at the monument to Patrice Lumumba near the building of the RUDN University Russian Language Institute. On the way to the monument, Julian Lumumba received a small surprise: a graduate student from our university from Egypt approached her and presented the daughter of the first prime minister of independent Congo with a portrait of her father. Meanwhile, African students from RUDN University gathered near the monument to Patrice Lumumba. Along with Julian and other members of the delegation, the students laid white and red roses at the bust of the eminent politician.

This marked the beginning of the guests' tour of the university campus. Accompanied by the rector, they strolled briefly through the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences building and even took the metro! Oleg Alexandrovich wanted the delegation to see the murals that adorn the station. One of them depicts the silhouettes of the world's capitals, while another depicts a sketch on the theme of "friendship of peoples," featuring smiling young people of different nationalities.

"I was very impressed by the metro, and it's nice to know that the station is named after your university. The murals are very beautiful," says Balufu Bakupa Kininda.

But it wasn't just the classrooms and the metro that pleasantly surprised the guests from Congo; Dormitory No. 9 was also a pleasant surprise. The delegation appreciated the freshly renovated student rooms, comfortable beds with lamps and shelves for phones, and also took a short break in the cinema hall, where RUDN students watch films on the big screen.

The final stop of the tour was near Dormitory No. 6, where a photo was taken in 1966 during a visit by a delegation from the Congo, showing Juliana's mother, Pauline Opanga Lumumba, with the university's first rector, Sergei Rumyantsev. Naturally, Juliana and the others "repeated" this photo to once again emphasize the connection between the past and the present.

A fruitful partnership

Finally, the delegation's visit reached its climax: the International Academic Conference to Commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Patrice Lumumba's Birth. The event brought together over 700 people: RUDN University students and faculty, scientists, government officials, and public figures from Russia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. RUDN University Rector Oleg Yastrebov delivered a welcoming speech.

"For RUDN University, African countries are one of its priority regions for scientific and educational partnerships. The university collaborates with over 50 African countries. The partnership includes over 100 organizations on the continent. Currently, over 2,000 students from 45 African countries are studying here. The most popular fields of study among them are general medicine, economics, engineering, agronomy, and international relations," said Oleg Yastrebov.

The RUDN University rector also noted that university researchers regularly publish joint research articles with their African colleagues. Among the countries with the highest number of publications are Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria. Over the past few years, African and university researchers have jointly published over 500 articles in Q1 and Q2 journals. Following the rector's speech, presentations were given by Tatyana Dovgalenko, Director of the Department of Partnership with Africa at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute for African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences; Andrey Maslov, Director of the Center for African Studies at the Higher School of Economics; and representatives of the Congolese delegation. The experts discussed the historical connections between Russia and Africa, new challenges and areas of growth in economics and politics, and the development of technology and relations in science, culture, and education.

"In recent years, Africa has achieved impressive results, playing an increasingly important role in global politics and economics. The continent has enormous potential, and to realize it, we need reliable partners who will engage in honest dialogue on an equal footing. Our country has been and remains such a friend and partner for Africa. Building on the breakthrough summits, as the Russian President described them, in Sochi (in 2019) and St. Petersburg (in 2023), we are jointly building a strategic partnership between Russia and Africa. Our work is structured around an ambitious action plan for 2023-2026. It covers a wide range of cooperation—from security, energy, and trade to education, science, and culture," said Tatyana Dovgalenko.

She also emphasized that trade between Russia and the continent has grown by 13 percent in the past year alone. The number of African students in Russia has nearly doubled to 32,000, and the number of scholarships awarded to them has more than doubled.

"Our country supports African countries in the fight against terrorism, ensuring food security, combating epidemics, and digitalizing public and municipal governance. The continent is building its largest nuclear power plant, preparing to open a Russian industrial zone in Egypt, implementing an oil pipeline project in Congo, and launching satellites from Angola and Zimbabwe. We are expanding Russia's diplomatic presence in Africa—last year, diplomatic missions opened in Burkina Faso and Equatorial Guinea. This year, the embassy in Nigeria will resume operations, and a diplomatic mission will open in South Sudan," said Tatyana Dovgalenko.

Focus on education

Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute of African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted in her report that by 2050, the share of Africans among all the planet's inhabitants will be more than a quarter.

"This means we all need to be prepared for this, we need to build relationships with this continent, which is already being called the continent of the 21st century, the continent of the future. The share of the urban population in Africa is currently rapidly growing, approaching 50%. At the same time, purchasing power and demand for new goods and services are also growing. This means that the continent's consumer market, which is already doubling every five years, will be the most important consumer market in the world in the near future," says Irina Abramova.

Irina Abramova named energy, including nuclear energy, as one of the promising areas of cooperation between Russia and Africa, as the continent still faces significant challenges in providing electricity to homes and businesses. However, she believes that science and education should be the primary areas of partnership between Russia and Africa.

"Africa has a young population—800 million people here are under 25 years old. And young Africans have a strong demand for quality education. Residents of the continent are saying it outright: we need your knowledge, your science, and your technology," says Irina Abramova.

Juliana Lumumba was one of the conference speakers. In her speech, she again emphasized her country's interest in developing a partnership with Russia in the field of education.

"We need this for further economic development. We have a shortage of teachers in universities, and we also need knowledge sharing, particularly regarding the professions of the future," said Juliana Lumumba.

Juliana wished RUDN University continued growth and development, so that more and more Africans could receive an education at our university and pass on her father's knowledge and values to the younger generation, who will increasingly influence what happens on the African continent and in the world today and what will happen tomorrow.

The conference concluded with the premiere of a film dedicated to the Russian-African partnership and the role of Patrice Lumumba in Africa's struggle for independence. The film was produced by RT, and its crew accompanied the RUDN delegation during their visit to Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Viewers were touched by the footage of Patrice Lumumba's story and the well-known status of RUDN in schools and universities in the Congo and throughout Africa.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

RUDN University announced the results of its competition among student scientific societies and research clubs. The GreenLab of the Institute of Ecology was named the best student scientific society, the Institute of Foreign Languages took second place, and the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences took third place.

The scientific club competition "Project Initiative: Organizers and Leaders of Healthcare" from the Institute of Medicine won. Second place was shared between the scientific club competition "Olympiad Movement: Mathematics" from the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics, and Natural Sciences and "Forensic Medicine at RUDN University." Bronze went to the scientific club competition in cardiology and the "Literary Salon" from the Institute of Russian Language.

We decided to write about each of the scientific societies and clubs, starting with the best of the best. Its chairperson, Alexandra Erbaeva, a fourth-year undergraduate majoring in Ecology and Nature Management, shared the story of GreenLab's creation, how the society supports students in their studies and personal growth, what sets the society apart from other student organizations at the university, and the future goals of GreenLab activists.

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

GreenLab is a community of students united by ideas and a desire to solve global problems of sustainable development and ecology. For several years, our NSO has been a symbiosis of science, travel, volunteering, and environmental education. We bring together not only young scientists and early-career researchers, but also anyone who considers caring for nature and the surrounding world part of their life's journey. "Make science green again" is the motto we live by at GreenLab.

How and when did the community emerge, and where did its name come from? Who were its founders, and how has it evolved since its inception?

This year, the RUDN University Volunteer Educational Commission (NEC) turns six. In 2019, a group of passionate students formed the university's volunteer and educational commission, Ecotunity. It consisted primarily of students from the Faculty of Ecology (now the Institute of Ecology). Then, that same year, thanks to Ilya Vlasov from the Law School, the RUDN University Volunteer Educational Commission (NEC) began to be revived. Each academic department at the university began to restore the system of scientific mentorship and actively support student research. Our team was offered to organize the NEC of the Faculty of Ecology: some remained in Ecotunity, while others founded SciGoesGreen. Most of those students have already graduated—Maria Kuznetsova, Yana Krasnova, Dmitry Pogorely, Yulia Zavyalova, Denis Tsybisov, and others. They were true enthusiasts of their field, with a passion for learning and a sparkle in their eyes, as well as great energy and a desire to do things well, not just for show. Together, we were able to organize efficient work and fine-tune various organizational aspects, uniting and aligning research, environmental education, travel, and environmental stewardship.

In 2021, we rebranded (at the same time, the Faculty of Ecology became the Institute of Ecology) and came up with a catchy and symbolic name. GreenLab means "green laboratory." It simultaneously references the scientific and environmental components of the community. We considered many options, but settled on this one. We believe it captures everything GreenLab represents—a community of young researchers with a passion for discovering new paths to improve the environment around us. We are now joined not only by students from the Institute of Ecology, but also from other faculties and institutes.

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

The organizing team consists of 15 NSO members, while there are over 100 activists and involved students. We are led by Elena Borisovna Yatsenko, Deputy Director for Research at the RUDN University Institute of Ecology. GreenLab's responsibilities are divided into departments. We have a project office (managed by Natalia Dianova), a media department led by Veronika Menshikova, a content department headed by Tatyana Berendeyeva, a public relations department (represented by Polina Gavrilova), an outdoor department led by Daniil Mironov, and a volunteer department led by Daria Dobrova. The department names reflect their activities. For example, the outdoor department organizes expeditions, weekend hikes, and research missions; the volunteer department organizes events at the institute, visits to shelters, specially protected natural areas, and rehabilitation centers; and the media department promotes our work on social media.

What are GreenLab's main areas of activity?

Our main activities include seminars, an intellectual games club, science popularization, and expeditions. We organize seminars and invite leading experts from various fields of ecology to visit us to share their experiences. Among them are scientists and ecologists from Caltech, the University of Helsinki, Skolkovo, Nanotech Industries, Constructor University Bremen, Moscow State University, the Higher School of Economics, institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other top-notch institutions. Of course, faculty from our institute also speak. We also host TED Talks, where students present their short-term research, share experiences, and stories from past expeditions. This format helps students develop their public speaking skills.

Once a month, the intellectual games club meets for "Ecomozgoboynya," "EcoSvoyak," and "Eco-ChGK." All the games focus on ecology, nature, and travel. We also host board game nights where we socialize, bond, and have fun together—after all, GreenLab is all about friendship and openness.

We strive to make science accessible to everyone and actively promote it among schoolchildren, applicants, and students. For example, we participate in Open Days, the All-Russian Science Festival NAUKA0, give lectures to schoolchildren, and help organize and conduct popular science events at our institute, such as the Decade of Environmental Science. At these events, we teach students the basics of hiking, promote a healthy lifestyle, demonstrate and explain how to distinguish minerals, properly sort waste, test water quality, create a DIY ecosystem, and much more.

Furthermore, we are environmental students, so expeditions and nature trips are not only an important part of our specialty but also a great outlet. Our activists love these trips, and we help organize them. Together with faculty and their search and rescue teams/community volunteers, our activists visit various protected areas on educational excursions, and NSO members help organize these trips as well. For example, we are currently organizing a trip to GreenLab Base Camp "Divnogorye" in the Voronezh Region. It will run from November 1st to 5th, and applications are still open. You can apply here. HTTPS: //forts. GLE/IKDORDE5TD3ZHS7.

What are GreenLab's biggest achievements, besides winning the university NSO competition?

GreenLab has won numerous awards. We are the recipients of the Russian Environmental Operator's Green Award in the Education category and the Vernadsky National Environmental Prize in the Education as a Path to Sustainable Development category. We would especially like to highlight our contributions to major environmental reports. For example, we were cited as an example of scientific research efforts in achieving sustainable development goals in the report "ESG, Decarbonization, and Green Finance in Russia 2023/2024."

Tell us about the most significant and exciting projects that NSO has implemented over the past year?

Since 2021, NSO has been organizing eco-intellectual games, which have become popular not only with students but also with schoolchildren. Last year, we held "Ecomazgoboynya" for school-aged children several times. One of the events where we presented our game was the All-Russian Nature Festival "Primordial Russia." In collaboration with the V.I. Vernadsky Foundation, we were able to diversify the workshop format and engage the children with questions about ecology and travel. Developing the game is a complex and time-consuming process, and our team includes Maria Gerasimova and Daniil Mironov, who always approach the task with great enthusiasm and interest.

Very soon (October 14-17), we will be holding an "Ecomazgobainya" for undergraduate, graduate, postgraduate, and young scientists at the VIII All-Russian Youth Scientific Conference with International Participation, "Current Issues of Oil and Gas," which will be held at the Institute of Oil and Gas Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Incidentally, last year, the NSO GreenLab team was awarded a first-place diploma for their collective research project, "Development and Implementation of the Intellectual Game "Ecomazgobainya," Aimed at Developing Ecological Thinking," in the "Joint Start: Let's Make Science Together" competition.

Another significant and exciting project of the past year was the first GreenLab Summer Fest for prospective students and schoolchildren, which took place on July 18th. We held the event at RUDN's Alfa Summer Space for those who wanted to learn about the Institute of Ecology, attend lectures on travel and research, and enjoy a fun time in good company. At the festival, our activists and organizers held master classes and lectures on their expeditions and research. The Kent KVN team also performed for the children, and a special event was organized. Overall, over 90 people participated in our first festival.

How does participating in GreenLab help environmental students grow professionally and personally?

By participating in the various events we organize, students can develop a variety of skills—from teamwork to expedition experience (sometimes in challenging conditions) and field research skills that aren't always available in class. Consider our TED Talks: Students format, where students overcome their fear of public speaking, a skill and experience that's important not only for ecologists and scientists but for everyone. By conducting master classes for prospective students and schoolchildren, we learn to interact with different audiences through interactive activities, learning to hold their attention, and teaching them new things. Organizational work also provides valuable experience in teamwork. We develop the ability to listen and hear each other, and to find compromises.

I can highlight a few successful cases. In 2024, a team of first-year students (our regular activists) took first place in the 13th International Environmental Olympiad of CIS Universities. That same year, NSO activist Valeria Loseva won the "Ticket to the Arctic" competition, and most recently won the "Student Startup" competition and 1 million rubles. This summer, NSO member Yevgeny Vorozhtsov won a scholarship from Alfa-Bank. In 2024, I won a scholarship from the V.I. Vernadsky Foundation and a Presidential scholarship, which allowed me to study in Kazakhstan for one semester.

Some NSO activists are already building successful careers. For example, NSO member Anastasia Kireeva, for her outstanding achievements and interest in geology, now works at the Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

What do you think made GreenLab the best student community? What was your key advantage in the competition?

As trite as it may sound, our key advantage is our student activists. We are incredibly happy and grateful to everyone who believes in us, helps us, participates in events, and remains a part of our team because of the atmosphere we create together. Our primary mission is to engage students in science, educate them, and help them conduct research, share experiences, and support their initiatives. We trust students, and students trust us. Furthermore, the work of the NSO's organizing team is undeniable. These individuals dedicate their resources to preparing and implementing all the events we plan, and they are committed to their common cause. Without a team of enthusiastic and supportive individuals, we would not have achieved such results. Thanks to the teamwork and dedication of each GreenLab member, we have become the best scientific student society at RUDN University.

What are your goals for the NSO next year? What projects are you planning?

The academic year has only just begun, and we're hard at work on new projects and are already launching them. This semester, we've placed a strong emphasis on collaboration. On September 28th, we'll be participating (including as partners) in the "From Heart to Heart" charity festival, organized by students from MEPhI, at the Kolomenskoye Museum-Reserve. In October, we'll be joining students from Novosibirsk State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) and Novosibirsk State University (MSU) on a volunteer trip to the Bison Nursery of the Prioksko-Terrasny Nature Reserve. Together with the Institute of Oil and Gas Problems of the Russian Academy of Sciences, we'll be hosting our beloved intellectual game "Ecomazgoboyunya" for a wider audience. We're also in the process of creating a video program about the work of environmental scientists. And in December, we're planning a School of Science Guides for students interested in trying their hand at this role. And that's just part of our plans for this semester.

How can a student become part of GreenLab?

You need to fill out an application through the RUDN University bot — HTTPS: //t. TA/NSO_RUDN_VOTWe will process your application and then contact each student directly. We will discuss all important aspects, their wishes, and goals, and help them resolve any research-related issues. This is how newcomers will become members of our NSO.

If you're interested in the work of the NSO Institute of Ecology, you can read about their achievements and upcoming events at the following resources:

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

RUDN University students and staff, join the "Pulse of Hope" charity campaign. Its goal is to collect donated blood for children in need of transfusions. Your help is needed by those battling serious illnesses.

RUDN University students and staff, join the "Pulse of Hope" charity campaign. Its goal is to collect donated blood for children in need of transfusions. Your help is needed by those battling serious illnesses.

The event will take place on October 18 from 9:00 to 13:00 at the building of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Dmitry Rogachev National Medical Research Center for Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Immunology" at the address: 1 Samory Mashela Street.

The event was organized by the Youth Chamber of the Obruchevsky District of Moscow.

To participate, you need to register using the link: HTTPS: //forts. Yandex.ru/kloud/68bfe4da4936392b66h6h.Volunteers will contact you a few days before the event to confirm your attendance.

Contraindications for donation

(can cause harm to both the donor and the patient):

ARI or other acute infectious diseases (less than 2 weeks ago); vaccination (live vaccines – less than 1 month ago, non-live – less than 2 weeks); viral hepatitis, positive test result for viral hepatitis markers; operations (less than 1 month ago); intake of antibiotics (end of course – more than 2 weeks ago), analgesics (end of course – more than 3 days ago); pustular skin diseases; alcohol consumption (less than 48 hours ago); for women: menstruation and less than 5 days after its end.

The full list of contraindications can be found here: HTTPS: //fns.ru/index.zhsp? Load = DV_info.

We recommend getting a good night's sleep and rest before participating in the event. Eat a light, low-fat breakfast two hours before the procedure, drink plenty of water, and refrain from smoking for at least an hour before donating blood. Don't forget to bring your passport and Social Insurance Number (SNILS).

After donating blood, you should sit quietly for 10-15 minutes and then avoid strenuous physical activity throughout the day, drink at least 2 liters of fluid, and eat well. If you experience dizziness or weakness immediately after donating, contact the medical staff. The bandage can be removed after 3-4 hours.

Every drop of blood is a chance for life. Show your concern and become part of this great cause with RUDN University.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A Jordanian delegation paid a business visit to RUDN University and discussed prospects for developing relations and the possibility of signing new cooperation agreements with the university's rector, Oleg Yastrebov.

Composition of the Jordanian delegation:

Mr. Walid Al-Masri, Minister of Local Government; Mr. Mashhour Al-Rifai, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Science and Technology; Mr. Adnan Badran, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the University of Jordan and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Petra University, former Prime Minister of Jordan; Mr. Ali Suleiman Al-Ghazzawi, Member of the Jordanian Parliament; Mr. Ahmad Abdulaziz Al-Sarna, Member of the Jordanian Parliament; Mr. Nazir Abeidat, President of the University of Jordan and former Minister of Health; Mr. Maher Al-Hourani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahliya Amman University; Mr. Sari Hamdan, President of Al-Ahliya Amman University; Mr. Khaled Al-Hayyari, President of the Hashemite University; Mr. Faras Al-Hananda, President of Ajloun National University; Mr. Atef Al-Kharabshah is the President of Al-Hussein Bin Talal University.

At the beginning of the business meeting, Oleg Alexandrovich presented RUDN to the guests.

"We educate nearly 550,000 students from 170 countries across 800 fields. We are the most international university in the country and one of the strongest in international rankings. RUDN University ranks third among all Russian universities. Jordanian students have been studying at our university since its inception. To date, we have trained nearly 700 qualified specialists for your country. Currently, 91 Jordanian citizens are studying at RUDN University. The most popular fields of study among Jordanian students are medicine, economics, and engineering. We have over a dozen agreements with Jordanian universities, and we hope that today's meeting will mark a new step toward establishing good relations between our universities," said Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University.

Opportunities for cooperation

RUDN University Vice-Rector for International Affairs Marina Rekets also spoke about teaching Russian to international students as one of the university's strongest areas.

"Almost every Jordanian student who studies with us began in the preparatory department, where, within one year, they can gain sufficient Russian language proficiency to study a foreign program alongside Russian students. We also offer online Russian language instruction in our digital preparatory department. We'd like to highlight this, as it's an excellent opportunity for our collaboration," said Marina Rekets, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at RUDN University.

According to the Vice-Rector, another area for developing relations is the opening of Russian language centers at Jordanian universities. Furthermore, local students can participate in the annual RUDN University Olympiad for international students. Olympiad winners receive free tuition at our university.

Plans for the future

The Jordanian delegation noted that RUDN's international character was evident from the very first moment: among the many faces, they immediately spotted students from Asia, Africa, and other parts of the world. The guests described the structure of their country's higher education system and the state's support for scientific research. The Jordanian university representatives then asked several questions about RUDN's foreign-language programs.

"We have hundreds of programs not only in Russian, but also in English, Spanish, and French. For example, at the medical school, international students can study in English from their first year and continue throughout all levels. Law students have the same opportunity," said Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University.

At the end of the meeting, the parties expressed strong interest in cooperation, with a particular focus on developing student and faculty mobility programs. Opportunities for expanding RUDN's network of partner universities in Jordan will also be explored. We currently have three agreements in place: with Mutah University, Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, and Al-Balqa University.

"We've agreed on a series of online meetings where we'll discuss the terms of agreements with representatives of Jordanian universities. And at the end of October, when our university delegation visits Jordan during RUDN University Week, we may already have agreements ready for signing. We've also invited our colleagues to participate in an international educational forum scheduled for November. I believe we have great prospects for developing relations with Jordan," said Marina Rekets, RUDN University Vice-Rector for International Affairs.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Green Investments and Indigenous Peoples' Protection: What RUDN University Students Learned at the Summer School on International Environmental Law

The RUDN University Law Institute, in collaboration with one of Indonesia's leading universities, the University of Brawijaya, held a Summer School on International Environmental Law. This large-scale project brought together over 100 students, young researchers, and faculty from 30 countries, including China, India, and Malaysia.

A RUDN University professor has become Russia's deputy chairman of the SCO National Ophthalmological Alliance.

At the end of August, a conference was held in Tianjin, China, to establish the National Ophthalmology Alliance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It was headed by Professor Yang Hua of the local medical university. Mikhail Frolov, MD, Head of the Department of Eye Diseases at the RUDN University Medical Institute, and Professor, Doctor of Medical Sciences, was appointed Deputy Chairman of the Alliance from Russia at the plenary session.

Gua Sha massage and acupuncture secrets: RUDN University medical students share their impressions of a summer school in China

What does the left hand pulse indicate? How to properly perform acupressure on the ears? RUDN University medical students learned this and much more at the "Heritage and Health: a Summer Exploration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Qilu Culture" summer school at Shandong Second Medical University in Weifang, China. Our university has been collaborating with this institution for several years now.

For nearly two weeks, participants in the educational program attended lectures by local doctors and practical seminars, where they learned about modern treatment methods for various diseases and traditional Chinese medicine.

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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Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Chea Srey Oun, a graduate of the RUDN University Graduate School of Management, created an interactive gastronomic map of Cambodia based on her master's thesis. She and her supervisor, Olga Yuryevna Zeveke, recently received a state patent for the product.

The project offers an in-depth analysis of the kingdom's culinary traditions. The interactive map includes systematic data on Khmer dishes, culinary specialties, and products with geographical indications.

Love and food

Chea Srey Oun said the idea for the map came from her love of Cambodian cuisine and pride in the rice grown in the country, which wins prizes in international competitions.

"I wanted to create a platform where people could learn about our products, including black pepper and durian. Durian, known as the 'king of fruits,' has a unique taste and aroma, making it a favorite among foodies. The interactive map allows users to explore various aspects of our cuisine, find places to try these products, and learn about the culture behind their preparation," says Chea Srey Oun, a graduate of the RUDN University Graduate School of Management (Tourism program).

As Olga Zeveke, the student's supervisor, notes, she saw potential in the student's master's thesis thanks to her interesting approach to map creation.

"What set this work apart from others was the combination of a deep research base and practical implementation. I realized that this wasn't just academic research, but a product with useful and commercial value. Our faculty, the Graduate School of Management, has always focused on practical application, and working with patents is nothing new for us—in 2024-2025, we already had five patents. One of them has now been submitted to the All-Russian competition by the RUDN University Patent Department. Furthermore, almost all bachelor's theses represent practical developments of tourism products and original excursions, which confirms our focus on creating in-demand solutions in the tourism industry," says Olga Zeveke, Deputy Head of the Department of Tourism and Service at the RUDN University Graduate School of Management and PhD in Economics.

Archives and fieldwork

The process of collecting and systematizing data for the map was multi-stage and included both archival research and fieldwork. The student and her supervisor collaborated with experts from the regions.

"When selecting dishes, products, and specialties for inclusion on the map, we relied on several criteria. For example, we researched which dishes are characteristic of certain regions, cities, or villages in Cambodia and how they are connected to local traditions. Historical significance played a major role, as migrations, conquests, and cultural exchanges have shaped culinary traditions. We studied how different cuisines influenced each other and what unique dishes emerged from these interactions. Geographical location was also considered: we analyzed how climate conditions and resource availability influence the composition of dishes and their flavor profile. For example, in coastal regions, fish and seafood are central to the cuisine, while elsewhere, the emphasis may be on vegetables and fruits. Finally, the popularity of geographically specific products was also considered, as globalization is increasing interest in local brands and unique products. We aimed to reflect not only traditions, but also modern trends in demand for gastronomic specialties,” says Chea Srey Oun.

The RUDN University graduate emphasized that the project significantly changed her perception of Cambodia's culinary heritage.

"I learned about many forgotten recipes and ingredients that are deeply significant to our identity. This project not only enriched my culinary knowledge but also strengthened my connection to my native culture, making me proud of its diversity and richness," says Chea Srey Oun.

From idea to patent

The entire process—from the concept to receiving the patent from Rospatent—took seven months. Five months of that time were spent compiling a database of dishes, restaurants, and places to sample Cambodian cuisine. This stage, according to Chea Srey Oun and Olga Yuryevna, proved to be the longest and most resource-intensive, as it required meticulous data management and collaboration with experts. The patent application process took about two months, which is fairly standard for such procedures.

"The interactive map is built on an existing technology platform—the Interactive Mapping Platform (IMP). Developed by the Mineral Center, it's based on open source software solutions such as Linux, Tropinki, PostGIS, Mapserver, OpenLayers, NET Core, and others. Our students learn the applications during practical training. This allowed us to significantly speed up the development process. We used existing tools and solutions to create the map, adapting them to our needs. This was necessary to focus on content and functionality rather than the technical aspects of developing it from scratch. However, we made our own unique improvements to ensure ease of use and meet the specific needs of our gastronomic map," says Olga Zeveke.

The map itself includes a variety of content. In addition to text descriptions, there are also photographs of dishes, allowing users to get a feel for Cambodian cuisine. There are also plans to add audio recordings, such as pronunciations of dish names, and video recipes. This will make the map even more interactive and useful for those who want to try their hand at preparing traditional Cambodian dishes.

"Furthermore, we plan to create a multilingual version of the map, including Khmer, English, and Russian, to maximize reach and make the content accessible to people from different countries. Multilingualism is an important aspect of our project, as we aim to attract both locals and tourists interested in Cambodian culture and cuisine," says Chea Srey Oun.

According to the woman, the map will be regularly updated with new dishes, restaurants, and other information. There are also plans to add new features, such as user reviews and the ability to create routes through the country's culinary hotspots. Promotion and Negotiations: The project's creators intend to actively promote the product through various channels. Primarily, they will present it at conferences and exhibitions related to gastronomy and tourism, where they can find potential partners.

"We plan to collaborate with tour operators and restaurants to integrate our map into their offerings and increase interest in culinary tourism. This collaboration will not only expand our audience but also create additional monetization opportunities for the project. We will also negotiate with the Cambodian Ministry of Tourism to secure support in promoting the map as a tool for developing culinary tourism in the country. We will also use social media, online marketing, and collaboration with bloggers and influencers to reach a wider audience and raise awareness of the map," says Olga Zeveke.

According to Olga Yuryevna, this experience could serve as a model for creating similar maps of culinary traditions in other countries, especially with the participation of international students at RUDN University. Our graduate's research demonstrated how academic knowledge and practical skills can be effectively combined to create a product that promotes cultural heritage.

You can study the map of Chea Srey Oun at the link: HTTPS: // Sambodiancenter.ru/map/

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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