RUDN 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.
Today RUDN University is one of the leading state higher educational institutions of Russia. It is the only university in the world every year uniting students from 140 countries. The University has a multidisciplinary structure of faculties and majors, typical for classical universities of the world. More than 77 thousand graduates of the University work in 170 countries, among them more than 5500 holders of PhD and Doctorate degrees. Specialists are prepared in 62 majors and lines of study. More than 29 thousand graduate and postgraduate students from 140 countries are currently studying at the university. They represent more than 450 nations and nationalities of the world. The University is a renowned research center. It is a team of 4500 employees, among them 2826 highly qualified teachers. The University intellectual fund comprises more than 870 author’s invention certificates and 150 patents of the Russian Federation in practically all fields of University scientific research.
RUDN University is international classic university with programs conforming to the highest world standard, more than 100,000 RUDN University graduates work in 200 countries of the world. Since 1993 RUDN University has always been in top 3-4 best universities of Russia.
RUDN University has a multi-profile structure consisting of faculties and institutes of Law, Economics, Science, Philology, Humanitarian and Social sciences, Engineering, Medicine, Agronomy, Ecology, World economy and business, Foreign languages, Hospitality and tourism, Technical and economic research and expertise. Students are trained in 80 majors and lines of study.
Having more than 113 joint Master’s programs with famous universities of the world RUDN University is the leader among Russian universities in double-diplomas programs. There are more than 30 Master’s programs in English and Spanish languages. Among more than 28,000 students almost 37% are international students. 111 national students' associations actively promote cultures and traditions in the spirit of tolerance and mutual respect.
Curricula in foreign languages are one of the university’s features. We have close contacts with Asian, African, Latin American and European countries, CIS, USA and Canada. There are 260 academic exchange programs with universities-partners. The Net University units leading HEIs from 9 CIS countries. The university creates common education space, realizes joint academic programs, and provides “inclusive education”. A lot of students get scholarships and grants.
High quality education is proved by ratings - for many years RUDN University has been among top 5 best Russian universities. It is a large scientific center for fundamental and applied research. Priority direction of the education process is the integration of Russian higher school in the world academic space.
Every year more than 400 graduate and postgraduate students go to study abroad in the frame of the academic mobility program. More than 200 international students come to PFUR according to bilateral cooperation agreements with foreign universities.
13 comfortable hostels have cozy rooms and well-equipped kitchens. There is TV and Internet in every room. At the disposal of students are laundromats, dry-cleaners, ateliers and beauty salons. All buildings are a walking distance from each other.
In 2015, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (PFUR - RUDN University) was among the competition winners to receive the state support within the 5-100 Project framework.
The goal of Project 5-100 is to maximize competitthe ive position of a group of leading Russian universities in the global research and education market. The work on the project, scheduled for 7 years, started in May 2013 in accordance with the provisions of the Decree № 599 of the President of the Russian Federation "On measures to implement the state policy in education and science." Institutions of higher education to receive the state support will be determined on a competitive basis.
The University presented its Action Plan (Roadmap) for implementing the RUDN competitiveness enhancement programat the meeting of the Council on Competitiveness Enhancement of Leading Russian Universities among Global Research and Education Centers on 18 March, 2016.
The University has embarked on a major shift to a research-oriented model and considers as its high priorities boosting international cooperation, building scientific capacity, training PhD students and postdoctoral fellows (including the continuing professional development framework) for the world developing and emerging economies through advanced science achievements and technologies. The RUDN unique profile is determined by the international exposure of its research and education activities, as well as by the RUDN focus on countries with developing and emerging economies in all regions of the world.