We need to offer programs in English to attract international students, says Deputy Director at Kazan Federal University

Shiksha reached out to Oksana Polyakova, Deputy Director at Kazan Federal University, Russia and discussed the opportunities offered by the Russian education system to Indian students who aspire to study in Russia, especially during the ongoing Russian and Ukraine war.

Oksana Polyakova, Deputy Director at Kazan Federal University told Shiksha about how promising the Kazan Federal University is for Indian students and what it is offering to the students. Read here excerpts from the interview.

Q: How do you plan to attract more international students to Kazan Federal University?

A: We know that demand for Russian education is increasing and we want to diversify the program so that Russian universities are ready to move to the Indian market and not only focus on medical majors but also attract them to Management Education, Data Science, Analytics, Material Sciences.

Russia is originally quite good in all science and STEM and fundamental disciplines. We think we need to provide more programs that are conducted in English to attract more international students particularly Indian students. But we also as per what is happening in the educational environment working on joint programs with the key Indian universities that could be a great potential for Indian students to know about the Russian system of education and to make the transition smooth enough to make it convenient to both sides. 

Q: Could you tell us about some of the financial assistance provided by Russian universities, particularly by your university?

A: We do not have particular support from universities but the Russian government supports them through a contest in which students can participate and if they succeed, they will be fully granted coverage of all living expenses plus tuition fees.

Indian students at Kazan are very good performers

Q: How do you compare the Indian education system with the Russian education system? Are there any similarities or differences?

A: It would be difficult for me to judge but as far as communication is concerned there are lots of similarities. You too have two levels of education – the undergraduate and graduate level, and you also proceed to PhD level. I especially talk about the Indian students who come to study in Kazan are very good ones – hardworking, intelligent, industrious and showed good results.

Q: Which are other courses apart from medical courses which are popular among Indian students who enrol in Russian courses?

A: After the medical course, the most popular course I would say is Data Science and Management. We see a lot of potential in those areas. We would also like to diversify into more STEM, maybe Physics, Chemistry and especially we see untapped potential in Environmental, social and governance (ESG).

It is safe for Indian students at Kazan Federal University 

Q: In the current situation of war, what do you think how safe it is for Indian students to study at Kazan Federal University?

A: It is safe, the war is happening on the Ukrainian side, and there is no impact anywhere on the cities. It is not there so much, so it is quite safe. There are a lot of Indian students who are studying in Russia right now.

Q: Has the number of international students especially from India enrolling at your university changed after the war started?

A: No, there is no change in the number of international students enrolling in Russia, particularly in our university after the war started. Medicine was earlier popular; it is still very popular. The demand is increasing, there is not even a single year when the demand was lower even when the situation had changed radically. Ours is one of the oldest universities in Russia and its infrastructure is also it is very good. Kazan University is famous for its acknowledged scientists.

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