Studying in Russia Tips for Students
About 5000 Indian students are currently enrolled in various medical and technical institutions in the Russian Federation. 99% of them are pursuing Medical studies in about 20 Academies spread over the country.
Recognition of institutions
All the Russian medical institutions empanelled under the WHO list are recognized by the Medical Council of India. For courses in Dental surgery, only the Smolensk State Medical Academy and Moscow State University for Medicine and Dentistry are recognized by the Dental Council of India.
Indian Ambassador To RUSSIA
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| Ambassador Ajai Malhotra |
Ambassador Ajai Malhotra has a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the Delhi School of Economics, University of Delhi.
He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1977. His first assignment abroad was from 1979-1982 at the High Commission of India, Nairobi, where he handled political work relating to Kenya, oversaw India's relations with Seychelles, and was the Focal Point for India to the UN Environment Programme and UNCHS (Habitat). He then served from 1982-1985 as Second Secretary (Political)/First Secretary (Political) in the Embassy of India, Moscow. His next assignment was from 1985-1989 as First Secretary (Political) with the Permanent Mission of India to the UN, Geneva, where he also handled ILO, WHO and WIPO work, besides representing India on the ILO Committee on Freedom of Association. From 1989-1993 he was Deputy Secretary and later Director in the UN Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, initially handling human rights and international environmental issues and later supervising all multilateral political and social issues. He was Counsellor (Information), Embassy of India, Moscow, from 1993–1996. From 1996–1999 he was Director/OSD/Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, guiding all aspects of India's relations with 22 Central and East European countries, including the Russian Federation. He was assigned as Minister (Commerce) in the Embassy of India, Washington D.C., from 1999–2003, also serving as Chairman of the International Cotton Advisory Committee from 2002-2003.
He was appointed Ambassador of India to Romania, resident in Bucharest with concurrent accreditation to Albania and Moldova, serving there from 2003-2005. From 2005-2009, he was Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, New York, representing India at the UN and other multilateral fora. He was Ambassador of India to Kuwait from 2009-2011. Since 16 May 2011, he has been the Ambassador of India to the Russian Federation.
Ambassador Malhotra has published articles on topics such as environment and sustainable development, the 1992 Rio Conference on Environment and Development, biological diversity, climate change, the rights of future generations and international law. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctorate (Honoris Causa) by the Vasile Goldis Western University of Arad, Romania, as recognition of his work on environment and development .He knows Hindi, English, Kiswahili, Russian and German. He is married and has one daughter and one son.
Seeking admission in foreign medical institutions
Indian students, who seek admission in foreign medical institutions, are required to take a `No Objection’ certificate from the Medical Council of India. It is mandatory for all their certificates and mark sheets (Class X onwards) to be Apostled. Apostle of certificates is done at Patiala House, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
Admission Process in Russian medical institutions
While it is possible, in principle, for students to apply directly for admission, most Russian medical institutions have appointed `contractors’ for recruiting students from different countries and insist on using this channel for admission. Most universities prefer to work through the `contractors’ for provision of hostel facilities, general welfare of the students, and even collecting fee. This is ostensibly for the convenience of students, who are new to the environment and do not speak the local language. These `contractors’ have their sub-agents in India. In many cases, senior Indian students themselves function as contractors and agents.
Reliability of `contractors’ as source of information and facilitation
The `contractors’ get large commissions for recruiting students. They can make false promises and give false/misleading information. There are also complaints from students/parents against them of cheating, high-handed behaviour, etc. It is, therefore, in the interest of prospective students to make enquiries from the medical institutionsdirectly about the courses/facilities available. In one case, a student signed a contract to study a particular specialization in post-graduate course, but he found that such specialization is not offered by the concerned university after joining the institution.
English Medium
There is publicity in India about English medium courses in medical studies in the Russian Federation. Medium of education in Russian institutions is mostly in the local language. They need special license to teach in English. Many of the institutions have started so called English medium courses in medical education for foreign students, without any such license. In practice, they try to teach first three years in English medium, while simultaneously teaching the Russian language. From the fourth year, the students are expected to study in the Russian language. Students must be prepared for this dual medium of instruction. Some institutions, which have introduced such dual medium courses, are not fully equipped to teach in English even for the first three years. Students may insist on seeing Russian Ministry of Education license for teaching in English medium. Students passed from recognized medical institutions, in either medium of instruction, are eligible for appearing in the Screening Test conducted by the Indian Board of Examinations.
Payment of Fee
While `contractors’ collect the fee from students for the first semester on their arrival in Russia, it is advisable to pay the fee directly to the University from subsequent semesters. Where the fee is paid through the `contractor’, students must insist on getting a proper receipt. There are a number of complaints of the contractors collecting the money, but not depositing with the university, which has led to termination of enrolment.
Russian universities do not accept cheques, drafts, etc. Money has to be deposited in cash in local currency in bank. If students bring cash in dollars or any other acceptable foreign currency, it is advisable to get it declared in the customs at the airport on arrival, which makes it easier for depositing the money into their accounts here. Banks will ask for the source of foreign currency for bigger amounts, and if it is brought from abroad, they need custom declaration form.
Hostel facilities
Students must check in advance of the hostel facilities available at the university that he seeks admission to. Hostels at many universities are inadequate and do not offer any boarding facilities. Students are generally expected to cook their own food.
Transfer from one institution to another
While transfer from one institution to another is possible, many students find it very difficult due to various legal procedures. Since the visa invitation for students is issued by a particular university to which admission is sought, any student wishing to transfer to a different university will have to first return to his country of origin and seek a fresh invitation from that university. Such transfers are generally discouraged by the Russian Ministry of Health, whose permission is needed for more than one transfer. There are cases, where the transfer students are given visa invitations by concerned university, but had to return home without admission because of the denial of permission by the Ministry. It is, therefore, advisable to select the university carefully before seeking admission.
Post-Graduation studies
Medical graduates from India, who wish to study post-graduation in the Russian Federation, need to apply to the Russian Ministry of Education for certification of equivalency of their degrees to pursue higher studies. Students themselves are responsible to submit their applications for equivalency certificates from the Ministry. Contractors promise to help out, but they rarely do. In recent cases, the Ministry ruled that the Indian bachelor medical/dental degrees do not qualify for post-graduate courses in the Russian Federation in view of lesser number of years of study. The issue has been taken up with the Ministry. Although universities might give admissions for post-graduate courses, this is subject to approval of the Ministry that foreign Bachelor degrees are equivalent to the Russian ones. Students are, therefore, advised to wait for the ruling of the Ministry before they arrive to take admissions in post-graduate medical/dental courses.
Safe custody of Passports and original certificates
Passport and original certificates are the property of the concerned student and should not be given to either contractors or any other foreign authorities for safe custody. No one has any authority to take away passports. Students must always keep their passports with them. Police officials can demand to see the passport, visa and registration at any time.
Any foreigner coming into the Russian Federation needs to register within a period of three days. The University concerned or `contractor’ generally takes care of the registration process for foreign students.
Screening Test
Registration, for medical practice in India, of students graduated from foreign medical institutions is subject to clearing the Screening Test conducted by the Board of Examinations, New Delhi. Screening Test is held twice a year, in March and September. Dates are announced separately. Students, who have successfully graduated from Russian medical academies, are to submit an application for appearing in the Test.
All diplomas/certificates obtained in Russia have to be Apostled by “INTEROBRAZOVANIE” (Federal Agency on Education, Centre of International Education Activities). The Mission does not attest ‘Apostled’ documents.
Embassy of India, Moscow (Russia), Website address Click here
