The University was founded on 5th February, 1960 by the USSR Government. On 22nd February, 1961, the RUDN University was named after Patrice Lumumba — one of the symbols of the African peoples’ fight for independence. Students and academics could be free to pursue their learning, teaching, and research activities at , without being subject to political context, but firmly directed to the grand principles of friendship and mutual support.On February 5, 1992, by the decision of the Government of Russia, the University was renamed to Peoples' Friendship University of Russia.
March 23, 2023, V.Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, signed Order No. 313 on renaming the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and returning the name of Patrice Lumumba. Corresponding changes were made in the Charter of the University.
By the decision of the Government of the USSR RUDN University was founded.
First Rector of the University Sergei Vasilyevich Rumyantsev, Honored Scientist of the RSFSR, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor.
The classes in the Russian language for foreign students began at the preparatory faculty.
It was given the name of Patrice Lumumba, one of the symbols of the struggle of the peoples of Africa for independence.
Six main faculties (Engineering, History, Philology, Medicine, Agriculture, Physics and Mathematics, Science, Economics and Law) began their classes.
The university was admitted to the International Association of Universities (IAU).
The first issue of 228 young specialists from 47 countries of the world.
International Student Construction Brigades (ISCB) and KVN teams were being created.
The construction of a new educational complex of the University in the South-West of Moscow was started.
Rector Vladimir Frantsevich Stanis, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, who proclaimed the "cult of knowledge" at the University.
The University was awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples for its services in training specialists for Asia, Africa and Latin America.
New faculties: Ecology, Economics, Law, Philology, Humanities and Social Sciences, advanced training of teachers of Russian as a foreign language, upgrading of medical workers. And educational institutions: foreign languages, world economy and business, distance education, hotel business and tourism, gravitation and cosmology, there are systems of pre-university and additional professional education.
By the decision of the Government of Russia, the University was renamed to RUDN.
Rector Vladimir Mikhaylovich Filippov, the graduate of RUDN named after Patrice Lumumba, Doctor of Physics and Mathematical Sciences, Professor, Academician, Member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Education.
Acting rector Dmitry Petrovich Bilibin, a graduate of RUDN named after Patrice Lumumba, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor.
The Department of Comparative Educational Policy was opened (UNESCO status).
Acting rector Dmitry Petrovich Bilibin, a graduate of RUDN named after Patrice Lumumba, Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor.
Rector V.M. Filippov.
"50,000 graduate" José Atiensia Villagames (Faculty of Engineering, Ecuador).
On the basis of RUDN, the rector's office of the University of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (USOS).
RUDN becomes the head university coordinator of the CIS Networking University - a consortium of universities of the member states of the Commonwealth of Independent States.
The university was awarded the UNESCO Gold Medal for its contribution to the training of personnel for developing countries of the world.
The university is granted the right to independently develop and implement its own higher education educational programs.
RUDN entered the League of BRICS Universities, which united the most prestigious universities of the BRICS countries.
The first Russian university that was awarded the "5 stars" rating in 5 categories: the quality of education, internationalization, infrastructure, innovation and social environment (QS Stars rating).
RUDN is recognized as the most "green" university in Russia (UI Green Metric rating).
RUDN entered the world ranking Times Higher Education.
RUDN students presented the gala concert "Discover the World in One University" at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris.
"100,000 graduate" Battaray Hari (medical institute, medical practice, Nepal).
RUDN University received the maximum "5 stars" of the QS Stars international ranking — highest scores for six out of eight indicators. It’s a breakthrough in “Employability” and significan rise in "Teaching" and "Academic Development".
O.A. Yastrebov appointed Rector of RUDN.
March 23, 2023, V.Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, signed Order No. 313 on renaming the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and returning the name of Patrice Lumumba. Corresponding changes were made in the Charter of the University.