We offer much more than just medical education, says Rector Mari State University

Shiksha spoke with Mikhail N. Shvetsov, Rector of Mari State University on various topics related to Russia's Education System and how safe it is for Indian students during wartime to go there to study higher education. 

Q: How do you plan to attract more international students in Russia?

A: Russia is very big. In Russia, we have the capital and we have a lot of very beautiful cities. And one of these beautiful cities is Yashkala, it's the republic. It's not a big city and that's why it's very comfortable to study. It's only 300,000 population in the city, but it's very close to Moscow, Kazan, to St. Petersburg. It's very close to the main cities. 

That's why students can concentrate on education and science and non -curricular activities. Also, at any time they can visit big cities. That's why it's very good for parents and their children as such cities like Yashkala are very safe. 

It's very close. You don't need to spend time in traffic jams. You really can go from educational centres to sport, from sport to science centres, from science centres to cultural centres, etc. from cultural centres to dormitory or to canteen. I think you know that most of the best universities are situated in small cities. It's like a university city. It's very attractive and a lot of people from all countries, from all over the world, choose many state universities and Russian education. 

Russia's education is traditionally very strong and quality education. A lot of people from India studied for a lot of years. And a lot of generations from India studied in Russia. Old people know Russia very well. 

Many young people choose to study in Russia

More and more young people are choosing to study in Russia and they like Russian culture and Russian people because Russia internationally very friendly and multicultural country. Russian in general likes Indian culture, Indian movies - Bollywood, Indian dancing, yoga, and Indian foods.

When Indian people come, they find a lot of people from Russia who can be friends not only in the educational area or science area but even in extracurricular activities. Of course, the main thing is education and science, and we do it very well. 

Q: Which are popular courses apart from medical courses?

A: We provide quality education with good infrastructure. Education in Russia is not only limited to medicine. Our institute is not only a medical institute but besides medical institutes, we have 12 institutes in different areas including digital, engineering, technical, robotics, chemistry, pharma programs, humanitarian, languages and politics. Non-curriculum activities in our university are free. In science university, we do a lot of science research and we involve students from all countries in science activities. For eg- the UK's different teams, and we have different championships in Russia in science activities. In the games, this time we sent 12 students for the Olympics, of which only 3 students were Russian and the other 9 students were international students from other countries including Indians. 

Scholarship in Russia for international students

Q: Can you tell us about the financial assistance like scholarships offered by Russia, especially to Indian students?

A: We continue a very good tradition of making education accessible to different types of people and not limiting it only to the rich. If you are good in sports, science or some other subjects you can go for scholarships and we make education very affordable for everyone. It is in very good condition as far as the pricing of education in Russia. Thousands of thousands of people go to the education system in Russia. 

Q: How will you compare the Indian education system with the Russian education system?

A: There are different educational agreements between India and Russia and of course Indian education system is very strong like Russia. We are very close, for eg – medical subjects are the same.

Q: How safe is Russia for Indian students during the ongoing war?

A: It is a very good question, it depends on the region of Russia. Some regions are attacked by Ukraine but if you talk about Yashkala city, it is very beautiful and we are situated in the central part, it is very far from Ukraine and Moscow. It is absolutely safe in our city. Mari State University is safe during the ongoing Russia and Ukraine War.

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