Graduation of international students celebrated at Lobachevsky University
On July 31, Lobachevsky University hosted a solemn graduation ceremony for international students. In the year marking the university's 110th anniversary, a total of 345 students from 49 countries completed their studies across all levels of education. Among them were 201 graduates of bachelor's and specialist's programmes, 119 master's graduates, four residency graduates, and 21 graduates of postgraduate programmes.
UNN Rector Oleg Trofimovaddressed the graduating students with afarewellspeech:"Honouring our international graduates is a cherished tradition. This year's graduation is particularly special as it coincides with Lobachevsky University's 110th anniversary. I hope you will remember your time at our university with warmth and gratitude. Russia ranks among the top ten countries globally for the quality of higher education and strives to ensure international students feel welcome. We are developing and implementing new technological solutions, such as the digital profile for international students, and have established grants and an effective system for employment, internships, and practical training. Lobachevsky University has been training foreign citizens for over 20 years, providing education for thousands of students from dozens of countries. We take pride in the fact that our graduates maintain connections with the university, visit us, write letters, and remember and thank their teachers and mentors. This is our greatest reward. The university's doors are always open for new ideas, projects and, of course, for your friends."
The top 10 countries represented among the graduates of 2026 were Ecuador, Syria, Colombia, Algeria, Nigeria, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Egypt. The Institute of Clinical Medicine had the highest number of international graduates this year, with 138 students. Following closely were the Institute of International Relations and World History with 44 graduates, the Institute of Economics with 39 graduates, and the Faculty of Law with 37 graduates.
A particularly moving moment of the event was the premiere of the anthem for international graduates, performed by the UNN Voicesmusicgroup, which includes students from different countries.
Niran Sansi Siru Akabokoi, a graduate of the Master's programme in World Politics and International Law from the UNN Institute of International Relations and World History, is from Congo. He has been living and studying in Russia for seven years and now feels completely at home. The graduate plans to pursue postgraduate studies at Lobachevsky University and get married. "I have many emotions about finishing my studies, and honestly, I don't want to say goodbye. UNN has done a lot to make international students feel comfortable," the young man noted.
"My friend studied in Nizhny Novgorod earlier and told me that UNN is an excellent university, which is why I decided to enroll here too. The faculty members are always supportive, and I never felt like I was from another country. I intend to continue my education and work in my field. Helping people is the most wonderful feeling. I am grateful to Russia for allowing me to experience so many positive emotions," shared Mohamed Samir Abdelrahim Samir from Egypt, a graduate of the Dentistry programme at the UNN Institute of Clinical Medicine at Lobachevsky.
