PSU students from India say "Russia is our second home"

Penza State University is the leading university in the region, with about 2,300 international students from 46 countries of the world studying there. 570 of them are students from India. All of them receive higher education in the course "General Medicine" using an intermediary language (English) at the Faculty of General Medicine of the Medical Institute.

Russia and India have long-standing bilateral relations, including in the field of education: this year marks 10 years since the first enrollment of Indian students at Penza State University. According to Prof. Gleb Sintsov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, it is cooperation with partners that allows the university to keep its leading position in terms of the quality of education and the number of international students: “The development of relations within Russian-Indian cooperation is very important for us, as it shows the interest of our countries towards each other and reveals enormous opportunities in the field of joint research programmes and academic mobility. Students are ambassadors of peace and goodness. They study in order to bring to people their knowledge, kindness and all the best that they have been taught.”

Students from India have the opportunity not only to receive a quality education, but also to develop comprehensively throughout the entire period of study. Every year, the Institute of International Cooperation, together with PSU partner Dr. Yuvraajsinh Solanki, organizes a number of events.

In November, students traditionally celebrate Diwali, one of the largest Hindu festivals, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. In 2022, PSU celebrated another national Hindu holiday, Navratri. On Saturday, April 2, it is planned to hold a spring holiday that marks the traditional new year for the state of Maharashtra - Gudhi Padwa.

In addition, students from India have the opportunity to participate in the largest events of Penza State University: the beauty contest “Miss World. Folk Queen”, the Volga region educational camp for international students POLIS, the traditional Cricket tournament as part of the Goodwill Games, the cultural marathon Around the World in Two Semesters. The Russian-Indian Cultural Center organizes watching of Indian films on the big screen. “In Russia, students not only immerse themselves in the culture of this country, but also do not forget their roots. This allows them to unite among themselves, find friends in Russia, and introduce them to their traditions. Cultural exchange between students based on the principles of tolerance, goodwill and solidarity is very important!” emphasized the founder of Chevalier Group, partner of PSU, Dr. Yuvraajsinh Solanki.

More than 100 Indian students come to Penza every year. In 2021, their number was 114. “This figure doesn’t change. As part of the 2022 Admission Campaign, we are planning to enroll over 100 students from India. They are happy to come to Russia - our medical education is highly valued in India, PSU trains highly qualified specialists who successfully pass the Screening Test,” said Sergey Ivanchin, Head of the International Education Office of the Institute of International Cooperation, PSU.