There are many worthy higher education institutions in Russia. One of the most elite and prestigious is MGIMO. This is the name of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations existing in the capital of our country . For several decades, he has been releasing from his walls highly qualified international specialists and practical diplomats.
The first page in the history of the university
MGIMO has existed for over 70 years. Its history began in 1943 with the formation of an international faculty in the structure of Moscow State University. This unit did not function for a long time in the named educational institution - only 1 year. In 1944, the faculty separated from the Moscow State University and grew into an independent educational institution - at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO-MFA of Russia).
While working as part of Moscow State University, the faculty was inspired by the spirit of the head university. This allowed the unit to further set the right direction for the development of MGIMO. In the first year of work, only 200 people were admitted to the university. In subsequent years, this figure increased. Among students, foreign citizens began to appear.
Modern virtues
If we compare the beginning of activity and today's days, we can conclude that MGIMO-Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has gone through a thorny path of development. Now in the structure of the university there are 8 faculties, 5 institutes, 80 departments. The educational process involves more than 1200 professors and teachers - this is an exceptional team of specialists.
Recently, MGIMO has set itself the most important professional task - to carry out the development of educational programs of a new generation. Previously, the university did not have the right to this, because there were common standards for all educational institutions. However, the President of Russia, given the authority and prestige of MGIMO, signed a decree granting the right to develop its own educational programs.
Education and science
In modern universities, education is closely intertwined with science. This feature is a status sign of universities. At the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the principle of combining science and education is implemented in several forms:
- Leading Russian international scientists are involved in teaching students at the university. Thanks to them, the educational process becomes more high-quality, rich in useful and relevant information.
- In MGIMO, teams of representatives from academic and university science, analytical structures of state power are formed to work on joint textbooks.
- The Moscow State Institute of International Relations regularly organizes scientific conferences, seminars and participates in them.
Anatoly Vasilievich Torkunov, the rector of MGIMO, says that today the university is not only a unique humanitarian international center, but also an authoritative scientific center. The results of some studies are being introduced into educational activities. For example, thanks to previous work, the following results were achieved:
- a training course (special course) on international legal regulation of information and communication technologies;
- the master's discipline “Innovative processes in education” was modernized (the direction is “Pedagogical education”), etc.
Training areas
In the license held by MGIMO, it is indicated that the university at the undergraduate level has the right to conduct educational activities in 25 areas. These include International Relations, Journalism, Economics, Jurisprudence, Political Science, State and Municipal Administration, etc. The university has a branch in the city of Odintsovo, Moscow Region, but fewer directions are offered.
An important feature of the Odintsovo branch of MGIMO is the presence in its structure of the Gorchakov Lyceum. This educational institution implements the basic general education program of secondary general education with a social and humanitarian focus. Classes are formed small, up to 15 people. Students, in addition to general subjects, read international disciplines to broaden their horizons and understand what awaits them at MGIMO after admission.
Learning foreign languages
In the early days of its existence, the institute paid special attention to the study of foreign languages. At present, according to the rector of the university, Anatoly Vasilievich Torkunov, MGIMO continues to adhere to this tactic. Foreign languages are important work tools thanks to which students, becoming diplomats, solve professional problems.
The curriculum for each specialty at MGIMO includes the study of two foreign languages. One of them is, of course, English. Due to prevailing geopolitical realities it is considered very important. People who successfully learn both the first and second foreign languages, if they wish, can sign up for electives in another language. To date, there are more than 500 such students at MGIMO.
When learning foreign languages, modern educational technologies are actively used. The university is equipped with more than 50 multimedia classes in which teachers and students can use special computer programs, video and audio recordings. With each year, the telebridges established between MGIMO and foreign universities become more and more significant.
Demand for graduates
MGIMO is an abbreviation that is known not only in Russia, but also abroad. The name of the university has long been a symbol of quality education. Graduates of the institute are considered a special caste. The MGIMO diploma testifies to the presence of a brilliant education and is a kind of quality mark.
Graduates of the Moscow State Institute of International Relations are very in demand, as evidenced by the concluded cooperation agreements with various government agencies, commercial organizations, and companies. Relations are established with the Ministry of Economic Development, the Federation Council, Moscow Government Departments, Rosgosstrakh, Uralsib, etc. Students and internships are found in these structures and organizations and find workplaces for themselves.
Famous graduates of MGIMO
The fact that MGIMO University is a prestigious university is not fiction. This is confirmed by the success of many graduates. Among the famous personalities with a diploma of MGIMO, we can mention Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov. Today he holds the post of Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia, is a well-known person abroad. He speaks about MGIMO not only as a native alma mater, but also as a modern educational institution of the highest category.
In the list of famous graduates is Ksenia Sobchak. She, being a student at MGIMO, in 2002 received a bachelor's degree in international relations, and in 2004 she became a master after graduating from the Department of Political Science. Many people did not even suspect that Ksenia Sobchak had such a serious education, because after graduation she took part in creative and commercial projects. She took up politics relatively recently - from the moment she was nominated for the presidential election in the Russian Federation.
Difficulty of admission: competition and passing score at MGIMO
Applicants aspire to enter the Moscow State Institute of International Relations not only in the Moscow Region, but also in other regions of Russia. The university is also interested in foreign citizens. However, everyone who wants to study at such a prestigious educational institution should remember that the competition among applicants is very high. In 2017, 32 people claimed 1 budget place, and 13 people claimed 1 paid place. The passing score in the university as a whole is high. In 2017, the average indicator on the budget was 95 points, and on the contractual form of training - 79 points.
MGIMO is the university for which admission is worth fighting for. They receive a brilliant education that meets international educational and scientific standards. The diploma of this educational institution opens the way to the most famous and elite organizations of our country.