KALMYK STATE UNIVERSITY NAMED AFTER B.B. Gorodovikov

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY

Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov is a higher education institution located in the Republic of Kalmykia. In 2017, it was designated as one of Russia's regional flagship universities.

Currently, the University offers programs across multiple educational levels, including secondary vocational education, higher education, and training programs for academic and teaching staff. These encompass a college, bachelor's degree programs, specialist degree programs, master's degree programs, and postgraduate (aspirantura) programs.

HISTORY AND GOVERNANCE

Kalmyk State University was established in 1970.

Founder Information: In accordance with Clause 1.5 of the Charter of the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Professional Education "Kalmyk State University," the founder of the University is the Russian Federation. The functions and powers of the founder are exercised by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as the "Founder"). The Founder's registered address is: 125993, Moscow, Tverskaya St., 11, GSP-3.

On January 1, 1970, the first state university in the republic was established on the basis of the Kalmyk Pedagogical Institute. This event marked the beginning of a new era in the development of higher education in Kalmykia. Initially, the University comprised three faculties (Biology, Philology, Physics and Mathematics) and nine departments. Today, the University's structure includes 10 faculties and the Institute of Kalmyk Philology and Oriental Studies, offering training across 24 specialties, 35 bachelor's degree programs, 13 master's degree programs, 14 secondary vocational education specialties, and a range of continuing education programs. Currently, approximately 8,000 students are enrolled across full-time and correspondence (distance) study formats.

Academic and research activities are conducted by a highly qualified faculty and teaching staff.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS AND RESEARCH

The University continuously works to expand the list of specialties and areas of specialization. Priority attention is given to the training of highly qualified specialists, both for the University's own departments and for key industries within the republic. To this end, the range of postgraduate (aspirantura) specialties has been broadened.

Over the past decade, the research activity and academic standing of the University's scholars have grown significantly, reflected in their participation in federal, industry-specific, and regional programs, as well as in research grants from the Ministry of Education of Russia, the Academy of Sciences, and non-budgetary funds.

Between 2005 and 2010, the University hosted nearly 40 scientific forums, including international and all-Russian conferences addressing topics such as the ecology of the Caspian region, philology and history of Mongolian-speaking peoples, Buddhist culture, repressed peoples, ethnopedagogy and ethnopsychology, as well as Public Hearings of the Public Chamber of the Russian Federation on educational issues. In 2009, the University hosted the 13th Assembly of State Universities of the Caspian States.

The research schools and centers established at Kalmyk State University are gaining increasing recognition, particularly in the fields of higher and secondary education, regional history and culture, Mongolian and Oriental studies, ecology, sustainable natural resource management, livestock farming, and irrigated agriculture. The University has well-developed research and innovation infrastructures.

The advancement of humanities research has been greatly facilitated by an agreement between the Government of the Republic of Kalmykia and the Russian Foundation for Humanities Research, which enables annual funding for 20–22 research projects by University scholars in philology, history, and economics, as well as international conferences and expeditions.

PARTNERSHIPS AND COLLABORATION

The University maintains strong research ties with leading universities in the Southern Federal District, including Southern Federal University, Astrakhan State University, Volgograd State University, and Kuban State University, as well as with universities in national republics such as Kabardino-Balkarian State University, Dagestan State University, and Mordovia State University. The University also collaborates with research divisions of the Russian Academy of Sciences, including the Southern Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Pulkovo Observatory.

This cooperation has a positive impact on the integration of fundamental science into the development of academic and educational activities, achieving tangible results in the training of specialists and highly qualified personnel.

Between 2006 and 2009, in commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the voluntary entry of the Kalmyk people into the Russian state, the University developed and implemented an action plan that included a series of humanities-oriented conferences, comprehensive international scientific expeditions, the preparation and publication of academic and popular science literature and films, strengthening the material and technical infrastructure of research units, the development and implementation of a state policy program for regulating the linguistic situation in the Republic of Kalmykia, and the establishment and development of an innovative national-regional system of lifelong professional education.

The search for new forms of cooperation continues to define the University's international engagement today.

STUDENT RESEARCH AND GRADUATE OUTCOMES

Over many years, Kalmyk State University has developed a systematic approach to involving students in research activities, ensuring close integration of the educational process with science. Each year, the University hosts Student Science Days, student research conferences, and competitions for student papers and presentations. The best works are published in regularly issued collections of research papers by students, postgraduates, and young scholars. Particular attention is paid to student participation in paid research work under scientific and technical programs and innovation projects.

Graduates of Kalmyk State University work across all enterprises and organizations in the Republic of Kalmykia: in secondary schools, secondary vocational educational institutions, companies, manufacturing enterprises, agricultural production, the construction industry, the media, and all law enforcement agencies. Overall, approximately 80% of managers and specialists in the republic's economy are graduates of Kalmyk State University. Current alumni include deputies of the State Duma of the Russian Federation, members of the Parliament of the Republic of Kalmykia, ministers and deputy ministers of the Republic, university vice-rectors, school principals, and heads of organizations and enterprises.

GLOBAL EDUCATION HUB

Kalmyk State University (KalmSU): A Global Education Hub. Located in the heart of the steppe, Kalmyk State University has become one of Russia's most international universities. Every fifth student is an international student — over 1,500 students from more than 50 countries, including China, Cuba, Iran, Syria, African nations, and CIS countries.

ADMISSION, ENTRY REGULATIONS & LEGALIZATION (EN)

Health Insurance

• Certificate of preventive vaccinations (Form No. 156/у-93), including measles vaccination;
• Medical certificate Form 086/у with records of fluorography, HIV and Hepatitis B blood tests, and a physician's conclusion confirming no contraindications for dormitory residence (valid for 6 months);
• If these documents are unavailable upon check-in, a certificate confirming the absence of tuberculosis, HIV, and Hepatitis B with a physician's note (valid for 6 months) must be provided, with the full medical documentation submitted within 30 calendar days from the check-in date.

Recognition and Equivalence of Foreign Education Documents

1. A valid identity document that will be used to enter the Russian Federation;
2. The education document and its supplement (with a full list of subjects studied and grades obtained);
3. A document confirming a change of surname/name (if different from the education document);
4. Notarized translations of all documents into Russian.

Documents Required for Entry to the Russian Federation

Since 2013, the Elista branch of the Association of International Students (AIS) has been operating at Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov. As an integral component of the University's student self-governance system, the AIS addresses key challenges related to the adaptation and integration of international students studying at KalmSU.

To ensure meaningful and engaging leisure opportunities, the following events are organized on an annual basis:

To actively engage international students in the cultural, recreational, and athletic life of the University, the following initiatives are implemented:

To foster the socio-psychological and personal development of international students, a range of support services and activities are offered: