On June 29, the opening ceremony of the Horizons of Opportunity Program took place. Today the Program starts its second season. Our main aim is to help talented international students of Russian universities develop professional skills, find partners and build long-term ties with Russia.
The selection process took place from March to June 2026. Applications were submitted by 889 people who represent 96 countries, 190 higher education institutions and 67 regions of Russia. Following online testing and an introductory video competition, 300 international students from 71 countries, 111 higher education institutions and 50 regions of Russia were selected to take part in the Program.
The opening ceremony was attended by:
🔹Areg Agasaryan — Deputy Chairman of the Public Council under Rossotrudnichestvo, Director of the NGO Center for International Interaction and Cooperation, First Deputy Director of the RUDN International Youth Center;
🔹Alexander Molodtsov — Vice President of the Russian Export Center;
🔹 Elena Galaktionova — Director of the Department for Multilateral Humanitarian Cooperation and Cultural Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation;
🔹Nikolay Larin — Director of the RUDN International Youth Center;
🔹Konstantin Malyshev — Head of the Department for International Youth Cooperation and Tourism at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
The opening ceremony was moderated by Maria Prokofeva, Director of the NGO Center for International Interaction and Cooperation.
In his welcoming remarks, Areg Agasaryan emphasized:
“For us, Horizons of Opportunity is, above all, an investment in human connections in trust between people and in a community that will continue to interact regardless of distance generational change or political circumstances.”
He also highlighted the importance of participants’ joint work:
“Behind every successful international project are people who have learned to hear each other work together and take responsibility for a shared result.”
Nikolay Larin noted that this year the Program is expanding:
“We are also implementing a regional stage, which will take place in four cities: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Krasnodar and Vladivostok.”
After the ceremony, participants took part in a TED Talks-format meeting with international graduates of Russian universities.
Ahead of them are online training, work with leading experts and partners, practical assignments, the regional stage and the final Congress of the Best Graduates.
✨ We wish the participants productive work, strong projects, new professional achievements and long-term cooperation with Russia!