eight RUDN students became winners of Rossotrudnichestvo competitions

The results of Rossotrudnichestvo’s contests “Masters of the Russian Language” and “Russian Language Volunteers” have been announced. The Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia served as the venue for the finals of both contests, and eight students from the RUDN Philology Faculty were among the winners.

The contests started in August 2026. Nearly 500 applications from bachelor’s degree students in “Philology” and “Linguistics”41 university, and the final included 53 participant. The “Masters of the Russian Language” competition was attended by master’s and doctoral students specializing in linguistics. A total of 500 applications were received, and 51 finalists came to Moscow for the final contest.

“Thanks to such competitions, we manage to strengthen the position of the Russian language worldwide. This is an example of cooperation that creates opportunities. I know that the winners proudly carry the Russian language and culture to other countries. I also know that many continue to work with foreign students. More and more foreigners are coming to Russia to receive higher education, and for them, the Russian language is a ticket to a profession, it is freedom of opportunities,” she noted at the results summary. Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

Head of the Russian Language Promotion Department of Rossotrudnichestvo Olga Kuzoyatova emphasized that the contest winners will represent Russia as a high-tech and progressive country. Vice-Rector of RUDN for Continuing Education Elizaveta Telegina noted the wide geographic diversity of the participants.

“There are finalists who have traveled thousands of kilometers. And each of them knows the value of the Russian language. They know that a kind word, a correct comma, and timely advice can change lives,” says Elizaveta Telegina.

In each competition, there were winners of 30 people. They will go for 30 days to Russian centers of science and culture (“Russian Houses”) in Armenia, Vietnam, Egypt, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Bachelor’s degree holders are also invited to China, master’s degree holders — to Sri Lanka.

Among the winners of the contest “Volunteer Movement ‘For Russian!'” are four RUDN bachelor’s students: Natalya Kukayeva, Alexandra Lobanova, Ulyana Prokhorova, and Sofia Kharkova. The list of winners of the “Masters of the Russian Language” includes four graduate students from RUDN: Victoria Pogorelova, Darya Rodina, Ekaterina Tsvetkova, and Anastasia Shamshina.

“I am going on an internship to Tajikistan, so I expect the trip to be full of vibrant colors, hospitality, colorful markets, and beautiful mountains. By the way, thanks to this contest, I already have a new acquaintance waiting for me in sunny Tajikistan — which once again proves that the ‘For Russian!’ project starts working even before the first volunteers land in another country,” said the 4th-year student. Sofia Kharkova.

Another fourth-year female student Alexandra Lobanova is supposed to go on an internship in Armenia.

“I hope to apply the knowledge gained there in practice, to become acquainted with the specifics of teaching the Russian language in another country, and to take part in events aimed at promoting Russian culture,” she said.

A Natalya Kukaeva confessed that she did not immediately decide to participate in the competition: she was worried that in case of winning, she would miss classes and training sessions of the RUDN cheerleading team. But then she realized that she had to take the risk.

“Representing my university abroad as the winner of the competition from Rossotrudnichestvo is a great responsibility. I am going to teach Russian as a foreign language in Egypt, in Alexandria. I want to show everything I am capable of, gain invaluable experience working with a foreign audience, meet interesting people, and possibly see one of the eight wonders of the world — the Egyptian pyramids in Giza,” she said. Natalya.

Another winner, Darya Rodina, she dreamed of participating in the “Masters of the Russian Language” competition even before entering the master’s program. She knew that this contest provided an opportunity for young teachers to make a name for themselves.

“I have been teaching Russian for four years, but I have never done it outside of a language environment. In the competition, we had to record a video introduction, prepare a lesson plan-outline, pass an interview, and an in-person stage. I am very happy to have won! I will preliminarily go to Egypt, to Cairo. I have already asked my mother to send me a traditional Russian folk dress to Moscow, because I will need not only to conduct lessons but also to host events to introduce our country’s culture,” she shared her plans. Darya Rodina.