FROM AUSTRIA TO BURUNDI: RECORD NUMBER OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS CHOOSE MRSU IN 2025

On September 10, a press conference was held at Mordovia State University (MRSU) to review the results of the 2025 admission campaign. Rector Dmitry Glushko and Vice-Rector for International Affairs Denis Vladimirovich Filyotkin highlighted record-breaking application numbers, international enrollment trends, new academic programs, and the university’s global recognition efforts. This year, MRSU received 33,138 applications — an increase of 8,069 compared to 2024, or 32% growth.

Expanding International Student Community

According to Vice-Rector Filyotkin, the university continues to strengthen its position as a center of international education:

• India remains the leader with over 1,000 students.

• Africa has shown remarkable growth — 108 students enrolled in 2025, compared to 61 last year. Tunisia alone sent 30+ students (vs. 9 in 2024). For the first time, students fr om Burundi (5), Gabon (1), and Somalia (1) joined MRSU.

• New admissions also came from Peru and Lebanon, expanding the university’s global reach.

Medical education continues to attract the largest number of international students, with over 500 newcomers in 2025. At the same time, diversification is evident:

• The share of medical students has decreased from 70% three years ago to 50% today, showing growing interest in other disciplines.

• MRSU launched a new Dentistry program in English, welcoming its first student from Austria, whose sister is already studying General Medicine at the university.

• The second most popular field this year is Philology, particularly Russian as a Foreign Language. MRSU welcomed its first Chinese student into a Master’s program, reflecting the worldwide surge of interest in learning Russian.

Adaptation, Culture, and Student Life

To support integration, MRSU established the Student Adaptation Center in 2023. The center organizes cultural activities, excursions, and legal awareness programs on migration regulations. Students and staff together celebrate both Russian and international holidays such as Navruz and Diwali.

The university also hosts Chinese and Indian cultural centers, a vibrant National Costume Day, and numerous sports activities. Of particular note:

• MRSU created the only cricket field in the Volga region and organizes an annual Cricket Championship. In 2025, eight international teams participated, with the online broadcast attracting over 250,000 viewers.

• In October, the International Student Sports Festival will gather more than 250 participants.

Global Recognition of MRSU Degrees

Ensuring international recognition of MRSU diplomas remains a strategic priority.

• In India, MRSU is the leading foreign university by the number of graduates who successfully pass the national medical licensing exam. This strengthens the case for recognition of MRSU degrees without additional qualification tests.

• In Jordan, wh ere more than 100 students enroll annually, the Ministry of Higher Education recently updated its list of recommended foreign universities — and MRSU remains firmly on the list due to the high quality of its graduates.

«Recognition of our diplomas abroad is an ongoing process. The key argument is always the same — the proven quality of education at MRSU,» emphasized Filyotkin.