Mikhail J Gorbatov, Vice-Consul (Cultural), Consulate General of the Russian Federation in South India made it clear during our conversation that Russia is not in competition with the US as far as education goes. While most students opt for the US with the hope of migrating there eventually, Gorbatov is of a different opinion when it comes to studying in Russia. "India is a very good friend and we want India to develop. If people run away from here, how will progress take place?" he asks.
The Vice-Consul was in Hyderabad for the All India Russian Education Fair 2018 at Marigold Hotel on May 21 and that’s when we got talking about Russia and its educational ties with India. The fair was organised by the Russian Centre of Science and Culture - Chennai in association with Study Abroad, the authorised Indian representative for Russian universities. "We have seen 70 years of diplomatic relations between Russia and India; it has been more than 40 years since The Indo–Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation and this year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of our cooperation in the field of atomic energy," he exclaims enthusiastically. In lieu of this, five scholarships have been allotted to Indian students alone in the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI for atomic energy.
After the event, we caught up with Ravi Chandran, MD, Study Abroad, who was happy to note that the fair saw a footfall of 75 and about 15 applicants availed spot registrations. "While most of them are for Medicine, there are a few who have opted for engineering as well," he shares. Another fair will be held after the NEET results are declared in June and will expand to cities like Coimbatore and Bengaluru as well.
