Lobachevsky University celebrates the 20th anniversary of its education system for international students
In July 2025, Lobachevsky University celebrates the 20th anniversary of the establishment of its education system for international students. Exactly 20 years ago, on July 21, 2005, an order was signed to set up the Faculty for International Students at Lobachevsky University. The goal was to boost the export of educational services and deepen integration into the global educational community. The first 80 foreign students at UNN were enrolled in Russian-taught programmes. The following year, the university launched a preparatory department at the Faculty for International Students, where representatives of other countries studied Russian and completed pre-university training programmes. In 2006, the first English-taught educational programmes were introduced at UNN.
"For two decades, the system of training international students at Lobachevsky University has demonstrated steady development dynamics and proved its importance as one of the key tools of humanitarian cooperation. Education is an important element of "soft power" and contributes to strengthening trust, mutual understanding and dialogue between nations. Lobachevsky University plays a significant role in implementing this mission by providing high–quality education and fostering a deep understanding of Russian culture, science and social values among foreign citizens," said Sergey Malov, Representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry in Nizhny Novgorod.
International students entering Lobachevsky University can choose from a wide range of fields of study offered at almost every of its faculties and institutes.
"20 years ago, Lobachevsky University took a bold step, laying the foundation for a successful education system for international students. Today we have more than 7,000 students from 110 countries studying in the Nizhny Novgorod region, and more than 2,200 of them are at UNN, so I can proudly say that this initiative has become a real triumph. The Ministry of International and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod region is proud to cooperate with the university, and we will continue to contribute in every possible way to the development of international cooperation, ensuring the integration of international students into the life of our region,"noted Olga Guseva, Minister of International and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod region.
Since 2018, the International Club of Students (ICS) has been successfully operating at Lobachevsky University. This analogue of student councils at faculties has proved to be a good basis for the adaptation and integration of foreign students into a large international family, and has also created an opportunity for communication between foreign and Russian students.
Over the course of seven years, ICS participants have held more than 1,200 cultural, educational and volunteer events designed to create conditions for building a dialogue between representatives of different countries and cultures. The Lobachevsky UniverSum Cultural Festival at various city venues in Nizhny Novgorod has become the hallmark and the real brand of the International Club of Students.
"When the university welcomed its first international students 20 years ago, it was difficult to foresee the path that lay ahead. Over the years, we have educated thousands of students from numerous countries. These are the individuals who chose Russia, chose Nizhny Novgorod, and chose us. We are proud to be a part of the national goal set by the President, which aims to have at least 500,000 international students in Russia by 2030. We are doing everything in our power to make this a reality. We provide top-notch education, create a welcoming environment, and assist with the process of adapting and feeling at home. Our international students stay in touch with the university, and after graduation, they visit us, write letters, and express their gratitude to teachers and mentors. This is the greatest honour for us," said Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University.
During the 2024-2025 academic year, over 2,200 international students were enrolled at UNN, including those studying at the Centre for Educational Programmes for Foreign Citizens (preparatory department). These students came from nearly a hundred countries worldwide. The top ten countries with the largest number of students at Lobachevsky University include: Turkmenistan, Egypt, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Algeria, Ecuador, Kazakhstan, Iran, Syria, and China.
