Ceremony at Russian Embassy for Albanian Students Granted Scholarships

“Albanian Students Will Be Bright at Russian Universities Thanks to Their Skills”

“It should be said that despite the ups and downs of the political relations between the two countries, the Russian-Albanian relations can be considered friendly and normal,” said Moscow’s top envoy to Tirana Alexander Karpushin

“You are the ambassadors of Albania to Russia and promoters for the building of better relations between our two countries,” the Russian Ambassador to Tirana, Alexander Karpushin has told a group of Albanian students, who have been granted scholarships by the Russian government to study in universities of that country. A special ceremony was organized by the Russian Embassy in its premises on August for the Albanian students who have earned scholarships to study in the universities of Moscow and Saint Petersburg.

“I know from my experience that the university studies are an unforgettable time in the life of every person. It is not an easy time but it is very interesting from all points of view. You will have many new friends from around the world,” said the Ambassador in his greeting speech to the students in the event which was also attended by the head of the Federal Agency for the Affairs of the Union of Independent States, Compatriots who live abroad and Humanitarian international cooperation “Rossotrudnichestvo”, Vitaly Chernopyatov, journalists and other invitees.  

“The first serious obstacle will be the study of the Russian language, but I am convinced that you will learn it without problems. I am confident for this because thanks to the courses of the Russian language organized by our Embassy, we are convinced that Albanians are much gifted to learn foreign languages,” said the Ambassador.

According to the requests of the students, 95 percent of the universities are in Moscow and Saint Petersburg guaranteeing a high level teaching for the Albanian students and as Mr. Karpushin said these students will be bright at the Russian universities thanks to their skills. “The past similar experience with Albanian students in Russia is evidence of this.”

However, it should be mentioned the fact that when it is spoken of Russia the attention is greater due also to the positive and negative news on that state, and the Russian Ambassador has apparently got used to such a situation. In this frame he told the students, who will go to Russia soon, not to be afraid by different theories spread in the media. “One of the main principles of the Russian foreign policy is the non- interference in the internal affairs of other countries,” he said, noting, in the meantime, that the situation in the world is not so simple. “On the contrary, an objective process of the creation of a new polycentric system of the international relations is being developed.”  In addition, he said that an aggressive information war is being waged against Russia under false claims and there are pieces of them even in the Albanian media over the last years.

“There are even allegations that we aim at destabilizing the internal political situation in Albania or that Russian oligarchs support financially opposition parties in this country,” Mr. Karpushin said, rejecting them. “Do not believe in such things. I can assure you with full responsibility that our Embassy is not engaged in such things. We have neither directives, nor such tasks. One of the main principles of the Russian foreign policy is the non- interference in the internal affairs of states. We abide strictly to this principle, and this distinguishes us from some other colleagues of ours.”

According to him, the main principles of the Russian foreign policy are in the first place independence, pragmatism, and open policy in many directions. “However, it should be said that despite the ups and downs of the political relations between the two countries, the Russian-Albanian relations can be considered friendly and normal,” said Moscow’s top envoy in Tirana.

‘Our countries do not have any contradictions, unresolved issues, territorial problems or mutual claims. The humanitarian-cultural links have developed traditionally very well as well as the cooperation in the education field. One of the testimonies of this process is the significant growth of those who want to follow the higher studies in Russia. If in 2014 there were 25 scholarships, now this number has doubled increasing to 50 scholarships,” said Ambassador Karpushin.   

The official of Russian Agency for science and culture “Rossotrudnichestvo”, Vitaly  Chernopyatov congratulated the students for the earned scholarships and said that as head of the selection committee he was lucky to know closely and understand the emotions of each of the students who will start a new journey in a foreign country. But he extended guarantees that they will have the support and assistance of the Agency before and after the students’ studies in Russia. He mentioned the fact that the branches selected by the students are different varying from beautiful arts, music, textile to the fields of science, medicine etc. Mr. Chernopyatov pointed out that Russia allows foreign students to study and work at the same time. Also the Russian government can prolong the staying permit for those who want to work in Russia after the end of the studies.

Personal experience…

The former excellent student, Redion Luli, who was present in this ceremony, spoke to the students on his experience as a student who had lived a decade in Russia and finished the high studies earning bachelor’s and master’s degree and then a PhD with very good results. ‘Russia is known of its elite schools and its strong point is undoubtedly education. I tell you that you will be a success in Russia and I am convinced for this speaking as a former student graduated in Russian universities. Albanian students have shown that they are bright wherever they go to study abroad. Probably the Russian language might be difficult in the first month of your stay, but you will have the full support of the Russian professors, who will always be close to you. Moreover, it should be said that we Albanians have excellent skills to learn foreign languages- it is our gift,” said Mr. Luli.

The Russian government grants 15,000 scholarships for foreign students, while that number is 51 for Albanian students this year. This number, according to Russian embassy officials, can grow according to the demands. Currently, there are 170 Albanian students who are studying in the best Russian universities.