The Russian Embassy in Kenya has made it easier for Kenyans willing to pursue education in the President Vladimir Putin-led country by rolling out initiatives that ease the process.
Besides offering classes for the Russian language in the Open Centre for Education, the Embassy offers scholarships for willing and qualified students.
Speaking on Friday during the first day of the Russian culture and language celebrations, the Director of the Open Centre Dr Vadim Zyubanov outlined what students need to know before embarking on a journey to further their studies in Russia.
Vadim, who is from the Tomsk Pedagogical State University in Russia, noted that while one can benefit from the credit system, and get to choose the subjects to study in Kenya, it is different in Russia.
He explained that in Russia, every academic-elated programme is planned for.
"The students do not get the freedom to choose and drop some classes. When they fail a certain language, they have to study those classes by themselves and then do the exam after half a year or a year," he said.
This, he said, keeps the students motivated to study and pass their exams.
"Another difference, of course, is that everything is in Russian but right now there are so many universities that suggest English majors so you just need to check," Vadim said.
To check for schools and scholarship opportunities, he asked interested students to keep close contact with the X account of the Russian Embassy in Kenya, and their website.
They can also keep in touch with the Telegram account https://t.me/openeduKenya.
Vadim said opportunities to get scholarships are called quotas, adding that currently in Kenya there are 60 quotas. The Embassy is working to raise the number.
Vadim also explained of different levels of education in Russia.
"The main thing that we have is a bachelor's degree and a specialist degree. If you get a bachelor's degree, it's four years. Then you will have to go for a master's degree and then go for a PhD," he explained.
"But with a specialist degree, you need to study for five years and then you can get your PhD."
On how the Russian school help international students adapt to their academic environment, Vadim said for example, with Kenyan students, the preparation starts at the Open Centre.
Here, he said, they teach language and culture - cross-cultural communication history.
"So when students come to Russia to study, it is going to be easier for them because they know what to accept then," he said.
He stated that once the students arrive in Russia, they are assigned local students -sort of school siblings- to help them adjust.
They also hold events for international students including contests, sports, poetry and reading events.
International students also go through the introduction to the law so the do not feel uncomfortable while staying in Russia.
To the students who are not yet familiar with the Russian language, Vadim said most of the universities have English books in the libraries.
