Events

Konstantin Kosachev: Attracting foreign students to enhance the standing of Russian education

The senator held a roundtable discussion on topical issues related to improving the mechanisms used to increase the numbers of foreign students in Russia.


Chair of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Konstantin Kosachev held a roundtable discussion on topical issues related to improving mechanisms used to increase the numbers of foreign students in Russia.

The senator presented statistical data showing that a significant number of young people are studying abroad. “According to data, 2.5–3 million people on average study outside their home countries each year. This number is growing with each academic cycle,” Konstantin Kosachev said.

He stressed that attracting foreign students to Russian universities is a tool of soft power that promotes cultural ties and increases the country’s prestige abroad. Konstantin Kosachev also added that Russia lags far behind many other countries in terms of the presence of foreign students on its territory. “About three percent of all students studying abroad around the world are studying in Russia. Of course, this is not a number we can be satisfied with. We are clearly losing our competitive position here.”

The senator expressed confidence that it is important to improve the quality of education services and cultural work as well as the Russian education system in general in order to increase the competitiveness and prestige of Russian education. “This requires a system-wide approach and serious attention,” the Foreign Affairs Committee Chair pointed out.

Russian Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Marina Borovskaya noted that the Education Export federal project within the Education national project is aimed to implement tasks set by the President of Russia. She said that as of today, 220,000 foreign students are studying at Russian universities. According to Marina Borovskaya, education programmes should be improved in order to increase this number. In addition, more attention must be paid to the qualification of those foreigners who want to enrol at Russian universities and their further employment.

Marina Borovskaya expressed confidence that attracting foreign students will result in a boost for the socioeconomic development of Russian regions. “This is the regions’ opportunity to step up their presence and receive additional investment. Today the Education project aims to promote the regions’ role,” the deputy minister said.

Rector of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Vladimir Filippov emphasised how important it is to develop a new export concept of Russian education services that would consider the growth of international academic mobility, globalisation processes and the use of latest education technologies.

The participants discussed matters related to the improvement of norms and regulations regarding the studies and accommodation of foreign students in Russia. They also touched upon various aspects of international humanitarian and cultural cooperation.

The discussion was attended by first deputy chairs of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov and Sergei Kislyak, member of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Olga Timofeyeva, member of the Federation Council Committee on Science, Education and Culture Valery Markov, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) Pavel Shevtsov, Deputy Rector of the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia Larisa Yefremova and representatives of federal executive agencies, state companies, universities and non-governmental organisations.