Published on: 2026-09-19
Source: Official website of the State –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
How to attract international students to your university, provide them with comfortable learning, and maintain connection after graduation, what features to consider when communicating with delegations from different countries, and much more were learned by the participants of the first in-person module of the “Academic Reserve: International Track” program.
From September 16 to 18, more than 200 leaders of various levels from 66 educational institutions and 7 scientific organizations gathered at the State University of Management to enhance their skills in managing international activities in the academic environment.
On the first day, an introductory session was held on current priorities in international activities, and team work began on developing strategies for the development of the international activities of their organizations.
Study of RUDN’s experience
On September 17, the participants visited the Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) to learn from the leader in terms of enrollment and total number of students from foreign countries.
The Vice-Rector for International Activities at RUDN, Marina Rekets, introduced the history of the university’s establishment and its current position in global rankings, and shared the main practices of international work.
“Foreign presence must become a sustainable recruitment channel and a tool for strengthening the university’s position on the global stage. One of the most effective tools is RUDN’s Open Olympiad, which most strongly contributes to attracting students and promoting the university’s brand abroad. We work closely with the diplomatic corps, develop reputable partnerships with well-known people from other countries. The digital preparatory faculty, covering over 80 countries, also plays an important role,” said Marina Rekets.
Maria Alimova, Director of the Center for Social and Cultural Adaptation and Intercultural Communication at RUDN, spoke in more detail about the preparatory faculty, its features, and benefits for attracting students. The expert advised participants to launch online preparatory Russian language courses for students who were unable to arrive in Russia before the start of the academic year, so that they could improve their Russian language skills and find it easier to adapt to their studies.
The head of the Commercial Department of RUDN, Olesya Oleynikova, spoke about the unique Multifunctional Center operating directly in the building of the main RUDN campus.
“Given the large number of foreign nationals studying with us, we decided that it would be more effective to bring services to them and opened a one-stop center for interaction with students and full-cycle support, which includes not only the standard MFC services but also our own migration registration department, representatives of partner organizations, and so on. Ensuring the comfort of studying and processing the necessary documents for foreign students is the key to them completing their studies and returning again, no longer alone,” shared Olesya Oleynikova based on her experience.
The acquaintance with RUDN continued with a tour of the already marked key points of the campus, as well as dormitories for students with their own cyber club and a family dormitory with a children’s playroom.
Visiting IMEMO RAS
On September 18, the participants began by visiting the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMEMO RAS), where experienced experts in working with representatives from other countries shared effective cooperation practices and ways of positioning oneself on the international stage.
Deputy Director for Scientific Work Sergey Kislicyn presented the history of the development of international cooperation in the field of education and science of the country and talked about the features of scientific institutes of other countries
“Experience in international interaction is formed at the intersection of theory and practice. Strong scientific centers are at the forefront of scientific knowledge, but at the same time have experience in its practical application. Only in this way can we progress towards development,” concluded the scientist.
The idea was further explained by the Deputy Director for Scientific Work, Ivan Danilin, who highlighted the main elements of systematic work in international activities.
“Three main factors: people, partnerships, and platforms. It is necessary to place the right people in the appropriate positions, form sustainable partnerships, collaborate with experts and the academic community, as well as have a broad network of external interaction platforms and develop our own. Individually, Russian universities and scientific organizations are not always ready to carry out international projects, so it is important to work together to achieve the set goals,” stated Ivan Danilin.
Olga Gusarova, Head of the Center for Scientific and Educational Projects and a graduate of the first cohort of the “Academic Reserve: International Track” program in 2025, emphasized the importance of systematizing knowledge and delivering it to the specialists who need it.
“Conducting training programs such as the ‘Academic Reserve’ is extremely important because even if you already have knowledge in a certain field, it needs to be regularly updated, expanded, and systematized. We must be better not just for ourselves; it is crucial to provide future engineers and scientists with an understanding of the external context for implementing their scientific and technical activities in the future,” said Olga Gusarova.
Head of the International Conferences Sector Alfia Khisyamova presented the work of the international scientific and expert forum “Primakov Readings,” noting that the main tasks of the platform are scientific communication, establishing partnership relations, building the institute’s brand and reputation, and scientific diplomacy.
Senior researcher at the “Center for Middle Eastern Studies” Laboratory Nikolay Sukhov spoke in detail about how a Russian university can establish international scientific connections in Asian and African countries.
“It is precisely international scientific cooperation that can link recruiting, training, and ongoing relations with foreign graduates. This is a consistent cycle from selecting talented youth right from school, and setting a scientific task interesting to both parties, to joint work during which students’ abilities are revealed, and further engagement with suitable graduates. Both parties must achieve results, then the cooperation will become sustainable,” the scientist concluded.
The head of the China Economy and Politics Sector at the Center for Asia-Pacific Studies, Sergey Lukonin, introduced the specifics of working with representatives of the People’s Republic of China.
“On a global scale, it is worth remembering that China already holds a leading position in many respects, but prefers not to talk about it to avoid escalating relations with its rival, the United States. As for specific advice, it is important not to try to be more Chinese than the Chinese themselves, to respect oneself, to maintain detachment and politeness, not to flaunt wealth, but also not to demean one’s dignity,” Sergey Lukonin shared his experience.
Meeting with Konstantin Mogilevsky
After a busy day at IMEMO RAS, the attendees returned to the GUU for group work and communication with Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
“Today marks the conclusion of the first in-person module of the program. I have seen your questions, your interest, and your desire to improve your work. Soon you will return home, where you will continue working on the strategies to present them in November. I am sure you still have questions, and today I am ready to answer them to make our interaction as effective as possible,” Konstantin Mogilevsky opened the meeting.
During the discussion on working with migration control authorities and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the problems and disagreements that often arise, it was decided to collect proposals and specific facts from all participants and to draft suggestions for improving legislation in this area and developing methodological guidelines for employees.
“You raised these issues in a timely manner; work is currently underway on a new bill, and we can submit our proposals. As for uniform requirements across different regions and even districts within the same city, I believe that the State University of Management, with its extensive experience in conducting training programs at various levels, will agree to help systematize the information and prepare the relevant program, which will facilitate the work for all parties involved,” suggested Konstantin Mogilevsky.
In the discussion about working with foreign graduates and representing universities on the international stage, the deputy minister announced that a large-scale forum for foreign graduates of Russian universities is planned for next year and urged not to lose touch with those who have already completed their studies:
“A person usually cherishes the university where they studied and wants to remain part of that community even after graduation, to be useful to their alma mater. There are vivid examples when alumni became famous, spoke about their university, and from this country the number of applicants increased. Be attentive to your students at all stages.”
The listeners also spoke about the training program itself, expressing their gratitude for the opportunity for a real meeting, live communication, and shifting attention from current tasks to strategic thinking and planning. In addition, the participants proposed recommending to the rectors of their institutions to implement in practice the best strategies that will be presented in the final module. Konstantin Ilyich supported this idea.
“This is a completely logical proposal. I am confident that there will be strong works worthy of implementation. I believe that we can go further and invite the rectors to become jury members at the program’s final so that they themselves can select the most effective projects ready to be implemented,” the deputy minister concluded.
In addition, during the session, the possibility of developing methodological recommendations to improve the effectiveness of international activities of organizations was discussed, as well as issues related to quotas for short-term courses and network programs, and the nuances of involving foreign scientists in joint projects. Konstantin Mogilevsky requested that all issues be put in writing and submitted to him for consideration, and also to pay attention to the mega grants program of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, which includes a youth track.
“Thank you for the work you carry out daily in your organizations. Its results are reflected both in the figures of foreign nationals’ admissions and in the growing interest in Russian education on the international stage. All this is because each of you works professionally, with full dedication, and with a focus on results. It is important for us not just to meet the targets, but to ensure the quality of international work and to promote a positive image of Russia abroad so that foreign graduates become our friends and later send their children to study with us,” said Konstantin Mogilevsky at the end of the meeting.
Ahead of the participants are six distance learning modules and work on projects for the strategies of the educational and scientific organizations they represent. The final meeting and presentation of the developed projects will take place in November within the walls of the State University of Management.
Recall that the training under the “Academic Reserve: International Track” program took place within the walls of RSUH and in 2025, becoming the successor to the systematic training program for the reserve of managerial personnel for higher education and research organizations, “Academic Reserve,” which began at RSUH in 2022.
Subscribe to the Telegram channel “Our GUU” Publication date: 19.09.2026
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