By Professor Maurice OKOLI
Russia has undergone significant changes after the Soviet’s collapse. In the past thirty years, Russia has engaged in a gamut of structural shifts as aspects of its stages of transformation from the Soviet era. Those measures have noticeably impacted various sectors, including education.
In this article, we are specifically focusing on the structural innovations that the largest North-Eastern Federal University has introduced in its operations and academic curriculum in addition to providing an environment to meet the challenges of learning vocational skills, technical engineering and medical specialties for both local and foreign students in this contemporary times.
Situated in the vast Siberian region in the city of Yakutsk (Sakha Republic) and having two other campuses in Sakha (in Mirny and Neryungri), North-Eastern Federal University is one of Russia’s 10 federal universities with a 90-year history, officially established in April 2010 within the system of reforms carried out in Educational Institution of Higher Education.
It is interesting to note, in the first place, that the North-Eastern Federal University was named after Maxim Kirovich Ammosov, a prominent statesman, an outstanding son of the Yakut people, one of the founders of the state of Yakutia and Kyrgyzstan.
Over the past decade, this university has focused on solving geopolitical problems and meeting the human resources needs of the large inter-regional investment projects in the Russian Federation. With this human resource training in mind, it has broadened the geography of admission and extended the chance for foreign students, particularly from Asia and Africa.
These students highly appreciate its (the university’s) well-developed infrastructure of scientific and educational complex, which has modern equipment for learning and training and for the development of basic and applied research in all specialties.
The university’s annual reports (2021 and 2023) show that Asian and African students are primarily attracted due to affordability, a classic learning environment and intercultural friendships. With increasing popularity during the past few years, applications have surged and significant strides have also made it possible to appear in QS University Rankings of BRICS, the informal association of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
The ascension of new members such as Ethiopia, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, further offers signals of hope for more foreign students moving to this region.
Recognising its true potential for expansion, the university officials have frequently visited Asian countries such as China, India and Vietnam as well as several African countries, including Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa. Foreign students are offered several scholarships and study grants, contract students are given discounts for meeting certain basic conditions and criteria.
Dr. Anatoly Nikolaev, the amiable Rector of the North-Eastern Federal University, often refers to his university as one of the unique educational hubs created, within the framework of post-Soviet transformational changes, to radically address the challenges and opportunities of Russia’s burgeoning corporate business sector and dynamic entrepreneurial landscape.
It has adopted several innovative measures and the necessary educational tools to navigate the labour market by introducing asynchronous learning modules, providing a comprehensive and engaging approach to application and learning processes.
“Ultimately, in today’s changing labour market, our local and foreign graduates easily secure employment in different sectors based on the shared skills and knowledge acquired in NEFU. On our persuasive part, we encourage our staff to focus on teaching aspects of the curriculum such as comprehensive innovation, strategic thinking and ethical leadership in real-world contexts.
“With Russia’s role and status rising in the global community, we also – as educators and trainers – have to review and restructure our educational assertiveness and dynamics to make a wide-ranging impact and integrate into the competitive regions and in the changing world,” underlined by Dr. Nikolaev.
Northeastern promise
At Northeastern, the university believes in students’ future. It also believes that financing education is a partnership that continues throughout the enrolment period, not just for the first year. Its commitment is reflected in the unique Northeastern promise. The promise enables students to plan for the entire cost of their academic degrees. Under the promise, it guarantees the following:
- The North-Eastern Federal University is dedicated to meeting the full demonstrated need of each admitted student eligible for federal financial aid.
- The university scholarship and grant funds will not be reduced during your undergraduate programme (for up to eight in-class semesters).
- The university’s need-based grant funds will be increased annually at the same percentage rate as the increase in tuition.
- The university supports that if a student’s family experiences a substantial negative change in financial circumstances, it re-evaluates the aid package and makes available all financial resources for which s/he qualifies.
- The university guarantees students discover their field of study interests and scope provided by the university degree whereas the parents get all their answers regarding the safety and comforts of the students during their stay.
Vice-Rector’s assessment
Niurgun Romanovich Marksimov, Vice-Rector in charge of International Cooperation at the North-Eastern Federal University, has emphasised some important points, summarised as follows:
There are simple great reasons to study at the North-Eastern Federal University: the first is to learn the Russian language and delve into Russian culture and also interact with foreigners.
It gives the chance to know, first-hand, the classic question of whether or not Russia is an European country, its landscape and its enormous resources. It’s often said that Russia’s charm lies in its people. And finally, it is a way to broaden one’s horizon by studying at this world-class university.
The undergraduate student population numbers over 16,000, while more than 2,000 students are engaged in postgraduate work. 1,081 academic staff are employed at the university. Of these, 150 hold doctorate degrees, 692 are candidates for science degrees.
The university consists of five research institutes, twelve institutes, five faculties and three branches – the Polytechnic Institute in the town of Mirny, the Technical Institute in the city of Neryungri and the Chukotka branch, which was opened in late 2010 in the city of Anadyr; two colleges and one Lyceum.
The university has a well-developed infrastructure of scientific and educational complex with modern equipment for the development of basic and applied research. One of the major components of the campus is modern, comfortable dormitories, fully furnished with modern requirements. Non-residents and international students create a comfortable living environment and education, as academic buildings are within walking distance of the campus.
Advantages of studying in Siberia
Generally, the education system of Russia has made a mark in terms of infrastructure, technology and quality of education. At present, Russia is one of the top destinations for international students who want to pursue their higher studies in Medicine and Science abroad. The medical universities of Russia are well-recognised all over the world.
There is a wide choice of promising specialties, unique experiences and recognised diplomas. Russia has so many international treaties on the recognition and equivalence of documents on education. Natural and scientific education in Russia is one of the best in the world. Russia occupies a leading place in the level of training of mathematicians, physicists, chemists, geologists, doctors and specialists in many other areas.
Russia has a high theoretical level of education and good fundamental training, and ensures the success of the graduate in the professional field. Among the graduates of Russian universities are presidents, heads of parliaments, ministers, well-known public and political figures and prominent scholars of almost all states of the world.
As popularly known, Russia is not only a great destination for students, but also a beautiful country to visit as a tourist. The cost of living is very affordable for foreign tourists. The people of Russia are very friendly and helpful. Being a large country by area, Russia has diverse climatic conditions in various regions.
Future expectations and perspectives
According to Mr. Niurgun Romanovich Marksimov, “the ultimate truth is that we are prepared to give our students sufficient intellectual power and knowledge, the potential capability of learning something new and, of course, to introduce them to more critical thinking in society”.
The North-Eastern Federal University welcomes prospective Russian and foreign students every September, the start of the academic year. As generally required, it provides all students with a distinct edge in their future professional endeavours and employment careers.
Russia, the largest country in the world covering more than one-eighth of the land area, is located in in northern Eurasia. Moscow, the capital city of Russia, is one of the largest cities in the world. Russia is also one of the five members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), along with Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. The country shares its borders with Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, China, Mongolia, and North Korea.
The writer is a fellow at the Institute for African Studies, the Institute of World Economy and International Relations, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the North-Eastern Federal University. He can be reached via email: [email protected]
