Category: Russia

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

One of RUDN's core values is its multinationality and international cooperation. Throughout its history, the university has trained nearly 40,000 international graduates. Today, over 13,000 international students are enrolled at the university.

RUDN University has a strong connection with its alumni. The university actively collaborates with many former students, who now hold high-ranking positions in their countries' governments, teach Russian at universities, and promote their alma mater's educational programs. Further proof of this was the International Forum of Foreign Alumni of Soviet and Russian Universities, the final day of which was held at RUDN University.

The event, organized jointly by the Russian Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the World Alumni Association, brought together over 100 representatives of associations from 50 countries, government officials, university rectors, and Russian education and science ambassadors from various countries. At the forum's thematic panels, participants discussed ideas for improving work in the areas of business cooperation, education, science, the promotion of the Russian language, and the preservation of traditional values.

University-city

RUDN University gave its guests a campus tour: the international graduates visited the Multifunctional Center, toured the renovated Granum agricultural complex of the Agrarian and Technological Institute, and the simulation center where future medical professionals hone their practical skills. Former students of our university were pleasantly surprised by how much the university has changed and grown since their graduation.

I graduated from RUDN University in 1980. This is my sixth time back here. Each time, the university changes, and it already feels like a whole town.

Fawaz Muhammad Ahmed

an engineering graduate from Lebanon

I was pleasantly impressed with the RUDN University Multifunctional Center. Many problems are solved there. From paperwork to securing a place in the dorm, the system is very user-friendly.

Kouzalis Anastasios

a graduate of the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Natural Sciences from Cyprus

Forum participants also learned about the work our university does with graduates, as well as the opportunities for further education and Russian language improvement available to former students.

Our university offers over 100 distance learning programs for continuing education. We can also tailor programs to the specific needs of a specific university or organization. RUDN University graduates and their families can study Russian online for free on the digital preparatory faculty platform.

Marina Rekets

Vice-Rector for International Affairs at RUDN University

Incidentally, due to the interest of guests in studying and improving their Russian language skills, RUDN University now plans to offer this opportunity on preferential terms to international graduates of other Soviet and Russian universities.

A ticket to life

Of course, the forum couldn't help but bring up memories of RUDN, as returning to their alma mater always makes our graduates feel like young students rushing off to class.

At RUDN University, I saw and touched computers for the first time. But computer science didn't come easy to me: during my first semester, my professor gave me a C upfront and made me promise to improve it by the end of the year, otherwise I'd be expelled. I studied day and night, and on my next exam, I got an A, finishing top of my class. Now, I use the knowledge I gained at university to develop my country.

Assenga Boniface Thomas

Plenipotentiary Representative of the Association of Tanzanian Graduates of Institutions of the Russian Federation and Former Soviet Union Countries, graduate of the Faculty of Economics at RUDN University

During my studies, I was very active, dancing with the "Rhythms of Friendship" group. I even choreographed a Lebanese dance, and I was pleased to learn that it's still performed today. Russia and RUDN University became my second home. I studied here for 12 years, including my master's and doctoral studies. Thanks to this, I became a professor and head of department at my university. RUDN University gave me a start in life. And now I consider myself an ambassador of the Russian language and education in Lebanon. I even teach Russian, even though I have an engineering background, and I also administer exams using the Russian system, where students draw a question and answer questions in a conversational format with the professor.

Aung Georges Emil

Plenipotentiary Representative of the Association of Graduates of USSR Universities in Lebanon, graduate of the Engineering Faculty of RUDN University

Roman Karlash, who studied economics, even told an interesting story about how friendships from his university days helped him open a business abroad.

When we were starting a business in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, one of the first people we met in the country while visiting car parks was the uncle of one of my friend's friends, with whom we lived together in the fifth block of the dormitory.

Roman Karlash

Director of Yango Ride

Roman notes that his alma mater gave him the most important thing: the ability to find a common language with people from anywhere in the world.

Results and plans

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky participated in the forum's closing ceremony. In his speech, he noted that international graduates are ambassadors not only of Russian education but also of Russian culture.

They may be engaged in a wide variety of activities—scientists, teachers, businessmen. But they always remember Russia as their second homeland. And there's ample evidence that it's much easier to do business with graduates of our universities. This applies to both interdepartmental relations and business operations. They are a very valuable, very precious Russian asset. These are not strangers to us. They are our people, regardless of what they are currently doing.

Konstantin Mogilevsky

RUDN University Rector Oleg Yastrebov echoed the Deputy Minister's words, emphasizing that graduates are the primary conduit for the university's interests.

Alumni form a living network, uniting continents. Each one is an ambassador, carrying a piece of Russia with them and becoming a conduit for dialogue and cooperation between countries. RUDN's 250,000 graduates represent 250,000 success stories, proof of the exceptional quality of Soviet and Russian education.

Oleg Yastrebov

At the final plenary session, international graduates presented proposals put forward during the forum's thematic sessions. According to Esen Saliev (representative of Kyrgyzstan), moderator of the "Science Without Borders" section, it is necessary to strengthen efforts to ensure automatic recognition of Russian diplomas abroad, admit foreign scientists to the Russian Academy of Sciences, and increase support for young talent.

The moderator of the "Foreign Graduates as Ambassadors of the Russian Language" session, RUDN University graduate Flores Arcila Rubén Darío from Colombia, spoke about the lack of awareness abroad of the benefits of studying Russian and the opportunities offered by Russian education for foreign citizens. Participants also noted difficulties obtaining visas, the lack of a comprehensive approach to training foreign specialists, and the lack of relevant information about Russia for dissemination on social media.

The results of the sections' work will be reflected in the final resolution, which will serve as the basis for further collaboration with international alumni. The initial results of this partnership will be discussed at a forum next year, with plans to involve more than 2,000 international alumni.

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 Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Since 2004, Russia has celebrated National Unity Day on November 4. For the university, which houses students from approximately 170 countries, this date is imbued with special meaning. It is an opportunity to recall a deep historical tradition that directly resonates with the university's modern mission.

The historical root of the holiday: the end of the Time of Troubles

To understand the essence of the holiday, we must travel back to the early 17th century. This period, known as the Time of Troubles, was one of the most difficult in Russian history. The state was torn apart by social conflicts, pretenders succeeded one another on the throne, famine and devastation engulfed the country, and Polish and Swedish invaders invaded. Authority was so weakened that Polish troops occupied Moscow for two whole years—from 1610 to 1612.

In response to the intervention, a national liberation movement unfolded in Russia. For 15 months and 9 days, monks and laity held the Trinity Monastery of St. Sergius against the Polish forces and False Dmitry II. Patriarch Hermogenes of Moscow and All Rus' appealed to the people to expel the invaders and defend the Orthodox faith. He sent letters throughout the unoccupied lands calling for the formation of people's militias. Hermogenes suffered for his stance. The Poles imprisoned him, where he died in February 1612.

The first militia, led by Ryazan voivode Prokopy Petrovich Lyapunov, failed to build on its success on the approaches to Moscow due to conflicting interests and inadequate preparation. The second militia was led by Nizhny Novgorod mayor Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Mikhailovich Pozharsky. They demonstrated that all strata of society could rise to defend the Fatherland.

The desire to liberate Russia united representatives of various classes—from peasants and tradesmen to Cossacks, clergy, nobles, and boyars. In late September 1612, the army of Pozharsky and Minin joined forces with the Cossacks led by the boyar-voivode Prince Dmitry Timofeevich Trubetskoy. On November 4, 1612 (New Style), Kitai-Gorod was stormed and the Kremlin was besieged. Two days later, the Polish garrison capitulated. In honor of their victory, the heroic liberators held a parade.

Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva

Head of the Department of Russian History, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, RUDN University

The Time of Troubles did not end with the liberation of Moscow from the invaders, as the country still lacked a ruler. Therefore, the Council of the Entire Land—the highest authority in the entire territory liberated from the invaders—initiated the convening of the Zemsky Sobor, to which representatives of all social classes were invited. Thus, Mikhail Feodorovich Romanov became tsar by the decision of the entire people.

From history to modern times

The memory of Minin and Pozharsky's heroic deeds lived on for centuries. Eventually, Muscovites decided to erect a monument to the militia heroes, Kuzma Minin and Dmitry Pozharsky. The sculpture was created by I.P. Martos with donations from people across Russia. On February 20, 1818 (Old Style), the monument was erected in the center of Red Square, and in 1931, it was moved to St. Basil's Cathedral. In the 19th century, there were also plans to erect a monument to Patriarch Hermogenes, but it wasn't until 2013 that it was realized. The sculpture was finally erected in the Alexander Garden near the Eternal Flame.

As for November 4th, back in 1649, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich declared this date (according to the new calendar) a national holiday—the Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. This icon accompanied the Second Militia into battle.

The participants of the campaign prayed to her for Russia's salvation, and after their victory, they held a procession with the cross. Significantly, Saint Arseny of Elasson emerged from the Kremlin to meet the militiamen with the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God. Thus, the two miraculous icons of the Intercessor of the Russian Land met. The Day of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God was celebrated until 2017, but the tradition was interrupted after the revolution.

Elena Kryazheva-Kartseva

The revival of the holiday in 2004, at the initiative of the Interreligious Council of Russia, was an act of restoring historical memory. National Unity Day was established not simply as a replacement for the Soviet-era November 7 (October Revolution Day), but as a return to the original, pre-revolutionary tradition. It symbolizes the continuity of Russian history and the people's ability to unite in the face of external and internal challenges.

Unity in Diversity

What does "unity" mean in the 21st century, especially within the walls of an international university? It's synergy, where strength is born from diversity.

Minin and Pozharsky are an example of a successful brotherhood. Minin, a representative of the people, raised funds for the militia and inspired them to a common cause. Pozharsky, a prince and military commander, devised a sound strategy and successfully led the military operations. Their success was made possible by the unification of different classes for a common goal—the salvation of the Fatherland.

For RUDN University, this example is more relevant than ever. Students from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, studying engineering, medicine, and linguistics together, are a modern "people's militia." Only their goal is not military victory, but civil victory. Victory over ignorance, disunity, and the global challenges facing humanity.

National Unity Day reminds us that our differences are a source of strength. The ability to negotiate, understand each other, and unite around shared human values makes us truly united.

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.