Education
Russia’s Diplomacy of Education, Contribution to Human Resource Development and the Third World: 60 Years of RUDN
By Kester Kenn Klomegah
Professor Vladimir Filippov, Rector of the Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship (RUDN) and Minister for Higher Education (1998-2004) has given an exclusive long-ranging interview in which he speaks about his university as it marks its 60th year of establishment and the plans for the future.
During his meeting with this correspondent, Kester Kenn Klomegah, he also discusses the importance of reforms, challenges and achievements in his university in the Russian Federation.
The Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship (RUDN) is an educational and research institution located in Moscow. It was established in 1960 primarily to provide higher education to Third World students. It became an integral part of the Soviet cultural offensive in nonaligned countries. Many students especially from developing countries still attend this university. It is Russia’s most multidisciplinary university, which boasts the largest number of foreign students. The university offers various academic programmes, has research infrastructure that comprises laboratories and interdisciplinary centers.
Here are the interview excerpts:
First of all, the Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship (RUDN) has a long history since its establishment in 1960. What is unique about this educational institution compared to others in the Russian Federation?
The full name of RUDN is Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship. The university is based on the ideas of diverse institutes and faculties, and international students and staff. From the very first days of its foundation, students and researchers were free to study and do research outside politics in conditions of equality. RUDN has given knowledge to professionals from Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Near and Middle East. During the first historic graduation in 1965, diplomas were received by representatives from 47 countries. Now, we are teaching nationals from 157 countries.
Of course, 60 years of existence, in itself, can be considered as the greatest achievement. But, could you tell us about its latest marked achievements during the past ten years, after the golden jubilee?
Of course, the biggest success of recent years is a breakthrough in international rankings. Now RUDN is among the top 400 best universities in the QS World University Rankings – we have risen by 258 positions in 4 years. Only a few universities around the world have achieved this result
RUDN began to purposefully develop along the path of a research university. Specialisties such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine and modern languages have become priority scientific areas. We changed the structure of faculties and created separate scientific institutes. There are chemists who now have a separate laboratory complex for molecular design, creation of useful substances and the study of new reactions. Our mathematicians are involved in 5G technology, the internet of things and of skills. RUDN has a supercomputer with 205 teraflops.
We are a university with the biggest number of international students in the Russian Federation, so international cooperation is also our priority. RUDN has proposed a new export model for Russian education through an industrial-educational and research partnership. This project referred to as “Cluster Approach” – it covers 70 countries. The university has opened six Russian language centers in the Dominican Republic, Zambia, Jordan, China, Namibia and Ecuador, as well as more than 30 specialized classes in 22 countries for talented applicants who want to study in Russian universities.
The university received a new international name – RUDN – an abbreviation of the Russian name “Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship.” It was formerly and popularly referred to as Patrice Lumumba University of Peoples’ Friendship. In the process, “Russian” replaces “Patrice Lumumba” in the rewording of the name of the university after the Soviet era.
Without doubt, RUDN has prepared lot of specialists for the local labour market, especially from the former Soviet republics. How do you value this role and its impact today?
About 200,000 of our graduates work worldwide. These are professionals and leaders in medicine and politics, civil engineering and economics, agronomy and diplomacy … RUDN graduates unite in associations maintaining relations with the university. There are dozens of such associations, and our delegations regularly attend alumni meetings. Early February 2020, when the Peoples’ Friendship University celebrates its 60th anniversary, thousands of guests – our graduates and friends will come to Moscow.
Now, much emphasis has been placed on other regions: Latin American, Asian and African countries. What is the situation currently with the foreign students from these regions?
There are 9.5 thousand foreign students at the university. We have 1,200 students from sub-Saharan Africa alone. If in the Soviet years the university did not have citizens from Western Europe, North America, now the number of students from Europe and from Latin America would be the same. The top 10 foreign countries by the number of students include China, Iran, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Namibia, South Africa, Syria, Mongolia, Nigeria and Ecuador. Indeed, the geography is expanding – during the past year, for the first time, citizens of Niger, the Netherlands, Suriname and Croatia came to RUDN.
As a former Education Minister and now Rector, how do you view Russian education as an export product? And, as an export product, it must have high value especially in the current burgeoning competitive market?
Mathematics, physics, chemistry, medicine, engineering – scientific schools of Russia are already well-known all over the world. The high quality of Russian higher education is guaranteed by the state standard. Each program clearly defines the requirements that all universities have to fulfill: the names of disciplines, the number of hours, professional competences … research projects – term papers and dissertations must necessarily be guided by highly qualified scientific supervisors.
Education quality requirements are very high, while the state also provides an opportunity for free education. Each year, Russia allocates 15,000 quotas for the training of foreigners. In addition, a contract for tuition in Russian universities costs much less than the average prices for higher education in other top universities in the world.
What are the challenges and hindrances to offering quality education these years? Do you have any suggestions here on how to overcome and improve the situation?
Only a few Russian universities have started to move away from quantitative principles when recruiting foreign students. Before, it was important how many foreigners you have at the university, what percentage they make of the total number of students. Some universities recruited applicants from two to three Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), that is the former Soviet republics, – and that was enough for them. There was no particular need to look for talented applicants. Because of this, foreigners often chose Russia according to the “residual principle” – they came to us after failing to enter universities in England, the United States, France and so forth.
For RUDN, geography and the level of knowledge of applicants have always been a priority. Over the past 10 years, we have been teaching students from more than 150 countries. Interestingly, we are the first to conduct Olympiads abroad, to look for talented applicants, to offer them special scholarship programs. Now Russia has adopted the national project “Education”, thus the number of international students should increase twice (double) by 2024. At the same time, every fifth student who entered on the quota of the Russian Federation must be the winner of international Olympiads. Therefore, the university’s experience is now relevant – we share it with leading Russian universities.
Aware of the importance of international recognition of the Russian education system, it still seems that Russian universities have to inculcate diversified cultural tolerance, take advantage of multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism, aspects of modern life, which are necessary pre-requisites for any success in the now globalized world. Do you have any objections to these, as a former Education Minister?
Most ethnic-related problems are absolutely due to ignorance, misunderstanding, or disrespect for another culture. At RUDN, the principle of peoples’ friendship lies in the very name of the university. For us, the culture of interethnic communication is the norm, this is what we get used to from the very first day at the university when it was established. In our university, there is even among students a popular slogan – “We Are Different – We Are Equal!” In a globalized world, friendship with representatives of several states is an undoubted advantage, because an international university has to project itself as global community and that really makes the world a better place to grow up, and our university is all about cultivating friendship.
Finally, the future vision for the Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship? How would you like it transformed, or diversify its activities for example into research, hubs of technology and other directions of human development, in the coming years?
Among plans for the near future – to celebrate the 60th birthday of Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship in the Kremlin on February 8. This year, we are planning to start building two new skyscraper hostels. I would like the number of foreign countries in RUDN to increase to 160. This is also our target.
Long-term goals are more ambitious. We will continue the transformation towards a research university. There is a lot to do about international activities – we have identified six levels of internationalization of education and science at the university. It is necessary to continue work in the field of digitalization of the educational process and Life Long Learning – restoring the system of advanced training for foreign graduates of Russian universities. However difficult our plans and goals may be, our principles will not change – we will continue uniting people of different culture by knowledge, train future leaders and elites who will make the world a better place.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Edo State Government has postponed the resumption date of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District as tension rose in the state.
The senatorial district, which is the region of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has witnessed a couple of security crises recently, including the arrest of over 50 students.
In a statement on Monday, the state Commissioner for Education, Mr Paddy Iyamu, said the postponement was until further notice, to enable the state government address prevailing exigencies and improve the welfare and safety of pupils.
“The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” the Commissioner said.
“Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly.”
The development was after last Saturday’s peaceful protest over insecurity and kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, which turned violent.
According to reports, certain actors hijacked the protest, blocked a major highway, disrupted commercial activities, and attacked traders at the livestock market, where goats were killed and cows beaten, scenes captured in viral videos.
The attackers also invaded and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Mr Zaiki Anthony Abumere II.
On Monday, the governor, accompanied by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and others, visited the palace to assess the level of destruction.
Several vehicles, canopies, chairs, doors, and windows were damaged, while goods belonging to the monarch’s wife were also destroyed.
Describing the invasion as criminal and unacceptable, Mr Okpebholo said protests must never be used as a cover for lawlessness.
The governor disclosed that a security meeting had been held earlier with a strong focus on Edo Central, particularly the Ekpoma axis, noting that strategic, technology-driven security operations had been deployed.
On social media, a lot of Nigerians have condemned the actions of the government, saying innocent people have been arrested.
By Timi Olubiyi, PhD
In today’s world, nations no longer compete only with natural resources or population size; they compete with ideas, knowledge, and innovation. In the last few days, I have received many messages following my inclusion as number 102 among the Top 500 academics in Nigeria, according to SciVal’s scholarly output ranking for 2023–2026. A stunning display of scholarly excellence that has captured attention both within and beyond Nigeria.
It is important to mention thatSciVal is a respected global research analytics platform developed by Elsevier, one of the world’s leading academic publishing and information companies. It is widely used by universities, governments, and research institutions across more than 230 countries to assess research performance and track global influence.
While such recognition is noteworthy, it should not be viewed merely through the lens of individual achievement. Rather, it presents an important opportunity to reflect on what this ranking truly means for Nigeria’s development, the future of its universities, and the country’s place in the global knowledge economy, which is the central motivation for this discussion.
Nigeria is home to over 270 public and private universities, with an estimated 75,000 to 80,000 lecturers, if not more. From this vast academic community, only 500 scholars were identified by SciVal as the most productive and globally visible researchers. Recognition on SciVal therefore, signals that a scholar’s work is not only prolific but also trusted, visible, and impactful internationally, making the ranking a credible benchmark of global academic relevance rather than a local or ceremonial listing. In essence, the ranking is not about popularity or titles; it is about impact.
The importance of the Top 500 list goes far beyond academic pride. These scholars contribute to shaping public policy, influencing business practices, supporting innovation, and addressing real societal challenges. Nations that achieve sustained economic and social progress invest deliberately in research because effective policies and successful enterprises are built on strong, evidence-based ideas.
SciVal evaluates research performance across more than 230 countries and over 20,000 institutions worldwide, tracking publications, citations, collaborations, and research influence through internationally recognised databases such as Scopus. Simply put, it measures whose work is shaping conversations globally. For Nigeria to have 500 scholars represented on this platform is significant. It signals to the world that Nigerian academics are not merely participants in global discourse, but active contributors to it.
Being ranked 102nd on this list reflects years of consistent research output, collaboration, and engagement across key areas such as entrepreneurship, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), sustainability, innovation, leadership, and business continuity. These areas are far from abstract academic interests; they are central to Nigeria’s economic survival and growth. SMEs, in particular, form the backbone of the Nigerian economy, yet many struggle due to weak structures, limited access to finance, and inadequate strategic planning. Research that addresses these challenges has direct implications for employment, livelihoods, and national stability.
One of the strongest lessons from the Top 500 ranking is the importance of global collaboration. Collaboration with scholars across different regions of the world enriches research quality and ensures that Nigerian realities are represented within global knowledge conversations. International partnerships improve visibility, strengthen credibility, and ensure that local perspectives are not excluded from global solutions. Each Nigerian scholar engaged in meaningful global collaboration strengthens the country’s intellectual presence.
Global relevance increasingly matters in today’s research ecosystem. Rankings influence who attracts funding, who participates in policy discussions, and who helps shape international best practices. Scholars whose work appears in well-indexed journals are trusted because their research meets global standards. That trust opens doors to partnerships, joint projects, and policy engagement. When Nigerian scholars are globally visible, the nation benefits collectively. Yet academic impact should not be confined to journals alone. Research achieves its highest value when it speaks to society.
Public engagement through opinion writing, policy dialogue, and accessible communication ensures that complex ideas reach everyday readers and decision-makers. When research informs public debate, it becomes a powerful tool for national progress. Some scholarly insights have also reached international audiences through syndicated platforms, allowing global readers to engage with Nigerian perspectives on business, sustainability, and economic development.
What also stands out about this ranking is consistency. Inclusion over multiple years is not accidental. It reflects discipline, intellectual curiosity, and sustained effort. For Nigeria, such consistency among its leading scholars is reassuring. It demonstrates that despite the challenges facing the education sector, academic excellence remains achievable.
The broader message of the Top 500 ranking is clear: Nigeria possesses significant intellectual capital, and it must be taken seriously. Development in the modern world is no longer driven solely by physical infrastructure or natural resources. It is driven by ideas by research that informs policy, strengthens institutions, and fuels innovation. Countries that invest in knowledge thrive; those that neglect it fall behind. As a nation, there is a need to do more to support scholars through better funding, stronger research environments, and policies that reward excellence and collaboration. Equally important is encouraging academics to engage with society, industry, and government. Research should not exist in isolation; it should be integrated into national planning and development strategies.
Recognition on platforms such as SciVal should therefore be seen not as a personal milestone, but as part of a broader Nigerian story, one of resilience, intellect, and growing global relevance. Across the country, many scholars are doing impactful work, often quietly and without recognition. This ranking, therefore, shines a light on our painstaking research contributions, which can shape Nigeria’s future.
The Top 500 academics represent a foundation upon which sustainable development can be built, and considering them for consultations and advice is not out of place. Because they are selected across all academic disciplines. If this intellectual resource is recognised, supported, and effectively utilised, Nigeria’s voice in the global knowledge economy will continue to grow stronger. Ultimately, rankings and recognition only matter if they lead to meaningful action.
The real question before Nigeria is not how many scholars appear on global lists, but how effectively the nation listens to, supports, and engages its best minds. Across universities and research centres are scholars generating ideas capable of shaping policy, strengthening institutions, and driving innovation, yet too often these voices remain at the margins of national decision-making.
If Nigeria is serious about sustainable development, it must move beyond celebrating excellence to actively integrating research into governance, industry, and public discourse. The future will belong to nations that recognise knowledge as a strategic asset and deliberately harness the insights of their finest thinkers. Engaging the best among us is no longer optional; it is essential to building a resilient, competitive, and forward-looking Nigeria.Good luck!
How may you obtain advice or further information on the article?
Dr Timi Olubiyi is an expert in Entrepreneurship and Business Management, holding a PhD in Business Administration from Babcock University in Nigeria. He is a prolific investment coach, author, columnist, and seasoned scholar. Additionally, he is a Chartered Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) and a registered capital market operator with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). He can be reached through his Twitter handle @drtimiolubiyi and via email at [email protected] for any questions, feedback, or comments.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Dr Timi Olubiyi, and do not necessarily reflect the views of others.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has dismissed rumours suggesting Nigerian scholarship students in Morocco have been abandoned, describing the reports as misleading and “deliberately crafted to misinform the public.”
Recently, a video went viral on social media showing that the students studying in Morocco under the federal government scholarship scheme were facing hardships, including homelessness and a lack of medical support.
However, in a statement signed by the Director of Press and Public Relations of the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Boriowo Folasade, the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa, clarified that no Nigerian student on a valid federal government scholarship has been abandoned.
“The Honourable Minister of Education, Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa, has clarified that no Nigerian student on a valid Federal Government scholarship has been abandoned. All beneficiaries duly enrolled under the Bilateral Education Scholarship (BES) Programme prior to 2024 have received payments up to the 2024 budget year, in line with the Federal Government’s obligations.
“Any temporary delays in outstanding payments are attributable to fiscal constraints and are currently being addressed through ongoing engagements between the Federal Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance,” Mr Alausa stated.
“The Minister further stated that no new bilateral scholarship awards were made in October 2025 or at any time thereafter. Documents being circulated to suggest otherwise are fake, unauthenticated, and constitute a calculated attempt to mislead the public and discredit government policy.
“Dr Alausa explained that the decision to discontinue government-funded bilateral scholarships abroad followed a comprehensive policy review, which established that Nigeria now possesses sufficient capacity within its universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education to deliver the affected programmes locally.
“Consequently, only scholarships that are fully funded by foreign governments are now being supported, with all financial obligations borne entirely by the host countries.
“Notwithstanding this policy shift, the Federal Government remains fully committed to students already enrolled under the previous arrangements and will continue to support them until the completion of their programmes.
“In addition, students who may prefer to discontinue their studies abroad may formally write to the Director, Department of Scholarship Awards. Such students are being offered the option of returning to Nigeria, where they will be seamlessly reintegrated into appropriate tertiary institutions of their choice. The Federal Government will also cover their return travel costs to ensure a smooth and orderly transition,” the statement noted.
According to the Minister, the current administration remains committed to eliminating inefficiencies and abuses within the scholarship system, stressing that past practices that sponsored overseas training for courses already well established in Nigeria placed avoidable financial burdens on the nation.
He reaffirmed that the ongoing reforms are therefore aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and the prudent management of public resources.
The federal government reiterated its unwavering commitment to the welfare of Nigerian students and strongly rejects misinformation, blackmail, or any attempt to undermine policies designed to strengthen national capacity and safeguard the integrity of the education sector.
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