"I pledge to protect Russian culture": 5 RUDN University graduates awarded the title of "Ambassador of Russian Education and Science"

At the initiative of Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, starting in 2021, this title is awarded to those who help maintain humanitarian ties between different countries. By 2030, the number of ambassadors of Russian education and science will reach 250.

“Make the world a better place”

On October 21, the Ministry of Education and Science held a ceremony to present the regalia to 12 new ambassadors of Russian education and science.

“Honorary title Ambassador of Russian Education and Science is already held by 35 renowned government and public figures, as well as leaders in science, culture, and business from around the world. And today we honor 12 new holders of the title, who have contributed to the development of ties with Russia for many years,” said Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Russian Federation. “The title of Ambassador is a sign of great trust and a great responsibility.”

RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov, addressing the new ambassadors, emphasized that the decisive factor in their selection was not only the fact that most of them are successful graduates of leading Russian universities.

“It is very important that after completing your studies in Russia, you continue to actively maintain contacts with your alma mater for many years, promoting a positive image of our country on the international stage, and making a significant contribution to strengthening the friendship and cooperation of your countries with the Russian Federation. It is also worthy of deep respect that all of you, already accomplished professionals, representatives of Asian, African, Latin American, and the CIS countries have expressed a desire to help Russia implement consolidated socially significant activities,” he said.

Vladimir Filippov noted that the joint efforts of the new Russian education ambassadors and national universities and research centers could become an important mechanism for increasing the number of foreign citizens studying in Russia and attracting talented students to our universities.

“Your mission is very much in line with the mission of my home Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. It is: ’RUDN University creates leaders to make the world a better place.’ And you, too, are expected to make the world a better place,” RUDN President said.

One of the new Russian education ambassadors, Hamed Muhieddine Abu Zahr (a 1996 RUDN University graduate), president of the Arab-Peruvian Chamber of Commerce and Honorary Consul of Lebanon in Peru, noted that although this title does not require any oath, he would still like to take one.

“I pledge to protect and promote Russian culture, science, and education, wherever I may be!” he said.

Another new ambassador, Tatyana Mlechko (who defended her doctoral dissertation at RUDN University in 2014), chair of the national association “Moldovan Society of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature,” noted that her path as a teacher and researcher is closely connected to Russian universities and research centers.

“I have had the opportunity and fortune to fully absorb the experience and knowledge that Russia has provided. I believe I am not alone in being infinitely grateful for this. And this title redefines and presents our professional and public activities as a kind of diplomatic mission to promote the values of the Russian world and Russian education,” she said.

“We are RUDN University family!”

Another ambassador for Russian education and science, Joshua Oladotun Anjaloulu Orabiyi, graduated from RUDN University in 2018. He currently teaches Russian at the University of Lagos in Nigeria and also teaches at RUDN University.

“Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia changed me and helped me become who I was meant to be,” he said. “I came to Russia wanting to be an engineer. But when I arrived at RUDN University, I realized that being an engineer was a bit boring. As a philologist, I could be more involved in public life and connect people. So, I became a philologist and a PR specialist. But I also sang a lot. When I studied at RUDN University, I was the university’s golden voice. And I still perform within its walls. And I always say that Russia is my second home, and RUDN University is my home.”

Joshua Oladotun Anjalolu Orabiyi said that this year, with his participation, a Russian language learning project was launched in Nigeria. It currently involves about a dozen schools, and about 2,000 children are already learning Russian. By the end of the year, the project aims to reach 5,000 schoolchildren.

“Language is the very first tool with which one can enter Russian culture and education. And we plan for our children who are studying Russian to come to Russian camps for vacation. They make friends here, and when they return home, they continue to communicate with them. And that’s the story of my son. He attended elementary school in Moscow and then returned to Nigeria. But he still keeps in touch with his friends and wants to come to Russia and meet them and his teacher. And of course, he wants to study at university only in Russia,” he said.

Maalouf Tony Toufic, Chairman of the Union of Arab Associations of Graduates of the USSR and Russia, who studied in a dual degree programme at RUDN University and the Lebanese National University, said RUDN University helped him realize his dream. “By my first education, I was a doctor, but I always dreamed of becoming an international relations specialist. And thanks to this programme, I was able to do that,” he said.

Being an ambassador for Russian education and science, he said, isn’t the end of the road, but a continuation.

“I can say I’ve been carrying out this mission for 35 years, unofficially. I do this through the alumni association. We hold seminars, celebrate Russian holidays, and conduct scientific research. We search for sites with Russian and other cultural traces. For example, we carry out restoration work in places where people from the first wave of Russian emigration to Lebanon are buried, which was in the early 20th century,” he said.

Hamed Muhieddin Abu Zahr said his life has remained connected to RUDN University all the years after graduating.

“RUDN University gave me my life—I met my wife there, and we have three children, and they all studied at RUDN University. And my grandchildren also study at RUDN University. We are a RUDN University family!” he said. “Even when I’m in Peru, Russia always stays with me. Russia is part of me and my family, and we are a part of it.”

He also noted that there are 1.5 million foreign graduates of Russian and Soviet universities worldwide — a huge community and practically the population of an entire city.

“We propose starting a joint project with the Russian side—creating representations of foreign graduates at the state level in Russia, for example, in the State Duma or with the government. This would help strengthen ties between different countries and Russia and help develop joint projects in culture, science, and education.”

Hamed Muhieddin Abu Zahr explained that he is the founder of the International Committee of Solidarity with Russia and, on behalf of this organization, travels to Donbas with humanitarian aid for schoolchildren: backpacks, stationery, and much more that would help the children study.

Another new ambassador of Russian education, whose life is connected with RUDN University, is Ngan Tony François Simon-Pierre from Cameroon. He graduated from RUDN University in 2006. In Cameroon, he heads the Association of Graduates of Russian and Soviet Universities.