The round-table discussion on quality education in Russia for international students was conducted in Penza State University within the framework of V International Student Forum ‘Dialogue of Cultures’.  The meeting took place between the representatives from the Embassy of India in Russia, the Association of International Students in Russia, city management and the regional Ministry of Education, as well as rectors and staff of Penza universities.

The flagship of higher education in the region, Penza State University became the venue for the discussion due to its experience in the area. The educational services for international students were first offered in Penza University of Teacher Education, now part of Penza State University, more than 20 years ago. In 1993, 30 students from Cambodia started their education in Penza. By 1998, the number of international students was already 90 and in 2003 it reached 145. At present, there are more than 1300 international students in Penza State University.

‘We are trying to create all necessary conditions to foster the quality education for international students. We have opened English-medium educational programmes for international students. A lot of our graduates have made successful careers and occupy important positions in politics, economy, social spheres in their native lands,’ noted rector Aleksandr Gulyakov.

‘When students from abroad come to Russia, they want to find friends, and primarily friends from Russia, and with the help of these friends they learn Russian culture and traditions. If I hadn’t studied with Russian students, I wouldn’t have become who I am now,’ share his personal experience Mahamat Kishine, graduate of Penza State University and currently Public Relations and Filial Branches Manager of the Association of International Students in Russia.

Representatives from India –  Anjali Pandey, Minister of Education and Community Welfare, Embassy of India in the Russian Federation, and Suman Kaul, Press Relations Officer, Embassy of India in the Russian Federation –  talked about international students in Russia and in Penza State University in particular. Penza State University currently educates 250 students from India, and the overall number of Indian students in Russia is around 5000. Ms. Pandey stressed that there are a lot of possibilities for cooperation between Russia and India.

It has been noted that Russian universities inevitably face certain problems while building and realizing the education model for international students. In the same way there are always certain problems and issues for students. Among the commonest problems are limited housing capacities, language barriers and adaptation problems. Penza State University tries to find the solution to these problems. Thus, active involvement of international students into social life and sharing the living space with local students help to alleviate some problems.  Talks are also underway on building a modern hall of residence for Indian and local students on the basis of co-financing by Russian and Indian parties.

The internationalization of education is attractive for both foreign and local students. Its growth will help to stabilize inter-racial issues. ‘We are proud that the Penza region has never experienced any conflicts connected with ethnic issues over the whole period of its existence,’ stressed the regional Minister of Education Aleksandr Voronkov.

Summing up the discussion, the university rector pointed out that the constant growth of enrollment numbers testifies to the prestige and attractiveness of Penza State University and Russian education in general. ‘If students come to study here, isn’t it a clear sign of quality education provided in Russian universities?’ he concluded.