Russian Press Day celebrated at Lobachevsky University

On January 13, the UNN Institute of Philology and Journalism, following an established tradition, marked the Russian Press Day. Representatives of the Nizhny Novgorod journalism community, alumni, and colleagues were invited to the event.

At the beginning of the meeting, Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University, noted: "The year 2026 marks the 35th anniversary of journalism education at Lobachevsky University and the 110th anniversary of our university's founding. During the time that journalism education has been in place at our institution, a large number of professionals have been trained, who now work in Nizhny Novgorod, across the country, and around the world. I would like to point out that journalism education is among the top 10 leading training areas at our university, where we see some of the highest USE scores. I wish that that this education continues to improve and thrive."

The Journalism Department, founded in 1991 at Lobachevsky University, is the first media education centre in the Nizhny Novgorod region. From the moment of its establishment to 1998, the UNN Journalism Department was headed by Professor Irina Kireeva. In 1998, Professor Olga Savinova took charge. Currently, Dr. Natalia Avtayeva is the head of the Journalism Department. Today, the Journalism Department has 3 Doctors of Sciences and 13 Candidates of Sciences. Most of the department’s teaching staff members are its alumni. Taking part in the training of students are practicing journalists and PR professionals.

Professor Olga Savinova, former Head of the Journalism Department, addressed the audience on behalf of the department’s faculty menbers: "In these challenging times, journalists face a crucial task — to support their own people, to foster a sense of civic duty, patriotism, self–confidence  and faith in victory among readers, viewers, and listeners. I believe that in doing so, we uphold the best traditions of Russian journalism, which include civic responsibility and empathy towards one's subject. I want this kind of journalism to continue. I wish you all success in this difficult endeavour."

Andrey Kleshchev, Chairman of the Union of Journalists of the Nizhny Novgorod region, expressed his gratitude to the UNN leadership and the faculty members of the Journalism Department for their contribution to the professional work of  modern journalists: "I want to say thank you to those who chose this wonderful profession

for staying true to your calling during these challenging times and continuing to spread kindness and light — the very reason we all do our work."

Andrey Kleshchev also presented a membership card of the Union of Journalists of Russia to Vasilisa Beinenson, Associate Professor of the UNN Journalism Department.

The research area of the department is related to the study of the history and theory of media, the values of journalism, the study of the formation of a new media environment, the role of the media in intercultural communication, the socio-cultural context of journalism development. The department is proud of its many graduates working at regional and national media, organisations and government bodies.

Currently, the Journalism Department has more than 1,000 students. In 2026, the department plans to graduate 250 professionals in the field of journalism and mass communications. This year, new students will be admitted to the bachelor's degree programmes "Journalism", "Advertising and Public Relations", as well as to the master's programmes "Journalism and Public Relations in Mass Communication", "Artificial Intelligence and Data Journalism" and "International Journalism". Postgraduate studies at the department are focused on the training of media researchers and teaching staff for media education.