The Institute of Kalmyk Philology and Oriental Studies at the Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of Higher Education “Kalmyk State University named after B.B. Gorodovikov” was established in 2007 on the basis of the Faculty of Kalmyk Philology and Culture.
The first scholar to introduce the study of Mongolian (including Kalmyk) philology and history as academic disciplines was Ya.I. Schmidt (1779–1847). Since the mid-19th century, the Center for Mongolian Studies was transferred to Kazan University, where in 1833 the first department of Mongolian (Kalmyk) literature in Europe was established. Among the notable scholars who laid the foundations of Russian Kalmyk studies were A. Popov, A. Bobrovnikov, O. Kovalevsky, V. Kotvich, Yu. Lytkin, and others.
In 1929, a Kalmyk Studies division was opened at Saratov State University. In 1938, it became part of the Kalmyk Teachers’ Institute (Astrakhan), which was relocated to Elista in 1941. The Kalmyk Studies division resumed activity in 1957 at the Philology Faculty of Stavropol Pedagogical Institute. In 1964, with the opening of the Kalmyk Pedagogical Institute in Elista, and its transformation in 1970 into Kalmyk State University, the specialty “Philology” (Kalmyk language and literature, Russian language and literature) continued to develop within the Philology Faculty at the Department of Kalmyk Language and Literature. Founders of this department included renowned Kalmyk scholars B.B. Badmaev, U.U. Ochirov, D.A. Pavlov, A.Sh. Kichikov, I.M. Matsakov, M.E. Dzhimgirov, as well as folk poets S.K. Kalyaev and D.N. Kugultinov. Later, the department evolved into the Faculty of Kalmyk Philology and History, and subsequently, with the support of the Kalmyk State University rector (1990–2011), Professor G.M. Borlikov, and the University Academic Council, into the Faculty of Kalmyk Philology and Culture.
Currently, the Institute’s highly qualified faculty includes renowned specialists—orientalists and Kalmykologists—who have made significant contributions to the study of Eastern languages, cultures, and history; Kalmyk language; ancient manuscripts; folklore of Mongolic peoples; and contemporary literary processes. Among them are Doctor of Philology, Professor P.Ts. Bitkeev; Doctor of Philology, Professor G.Ts. Pyurbeev; Doctor of Philology, Professor R.P. Khartchevnikova; Doctor of Philology, Professor M.U. Monraev; Doctor of Philosophy, Professor K.A. Nadneeva; Doctor of Social Sciences, Professor A.N. Ovshinnov; and others.
The middle generation of Kalmyk scholars at the Institute includes professors such as Doctor of Philology, Professor E.E. Khabunova; Doctor of Pedagogy, Professor R.B. Dyakieva; Doctor of Philology, Professor V.N. Mushaev; Doctor of History, Professor A.V. Tsyuryumov; Doctor of Philosophy, Professor V.N. Badmaev; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor V.T. Sarangov; Candidate of Pedagogy, Associate Professor N.N. Sharapova; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor S.N. Tsedenova; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor V.O. Imeev; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor S.N. Namzhavin; Candidate of Cultural Studies, Associate Professor N.D. Sandzhiev; Candidate of Political Science, Associate Professor O.V. Usalko; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor O.K. Mushaeva; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor B.E. Ubushieva; Candidate of Philosophy, Associate Professor A.M. Burinov; Candidate of Pedagogy, Associate Professor T.I. Kovaleva; and others. They successfully teach theoretical and practical courses across all program cycles implemented at the Institute’s departments and other university academic units.
After defending doctoral and candidate dissertations, the best graduates of Kalmyk State University and other Russian universities teach at the Institute as professors and associate professors, including Doctor of Philosophy, Professor M.S. Ulanov; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor B.A. Shurungova; Candidate of Social Sciences, Associate Professor G.P. Kaldinova; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor S.N. Artaev; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor L.A. Lidzhieva; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor M.A. Lidzhiyev; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor E.B. Turdumatova; Candidate of Social Sciences, Associate Professor T.N. Goryaeva; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor V.V. Salykova; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor N.Ch. Ochirova; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor M.M. Alzheeva; Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor S.A. Mandzhieva; Candidate of History, Associate Professor M.E. Tyumidova; and others.
The Institute employs over 50 academic staff members, including 12 Doctors of Science and 25 Candidates of Science. The Institute of Kalmyk Philology and Oriental Studies is headed by Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor M.A. Lidzhiyev. Deputy Directors include Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor V.V. Salykova (academic affairs); Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor B.A. Shurungova (research); Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor N.Ch. Ochirova (student affairs); and Candidate of Philology, Associate Professor M.M. Alzheeva (inclusive and distance education).
Veteran educators have made significant contributions to the development of the Institute, including Candidate of Philology, Associate Professors A.V. Badmaev, N.O. Koksheva, N.D. Asirova, Senior Lecturer P.B. Fedorova, and others.
The Institute hosts scientific and scientific-educational centers such as the Scientific Center for Mongolian and Altaic Studies (Director: Doctor of Philology, Professor S.M. Trofimova), the Scientific Center “Folklore. Science. Education.” (Director: Doctor of Philology, Professor P.Ts. Bitkeev), the International Scientific Center “Cultural Heritage of Mongolic Peoples” (Director: Doctor of Philology, Professor E.E. Khabunova), and the Center for Methodology and Development of Kalmyk Language Teaching (Director: Doctor of Philology, Professor V.N. Mushaev).
The Institute’s educational process is aimed at ensuring high-quality education, fostering students’ creative activity and professional interest in their studies. During their studies, students learn their native language, foreign languages (Mongolian, Chinese, Korean, Tibetan, Japanese, English), undergo language internships in countries of the studied languages, and attend theoretical courses preparing them for careers in teaching, research, cultural institutions, media, international tourism, and administrative structures.
Top graduates of the Institute have opportunities to continue their education in master’s, doctoral, and postdoctoral programs.
Each student has access to the University’s electronic library system, which contains digital versions of scholarly publications, dictionaries, and scientific journals related to core disciplines. The electronic library provides individual remote access from anywhere with an Internet connection.
The Institute has computer classrooms (15 seats), which are valuable tools for mastering modern educational technologies. Students not only study academic disciplines in an engaging and accessible way but also develop their creative abilities and conduct online research related to their academic programs.
The Institute’s material and technical base supports all types of disciplinary and interdisciplinary training, laboratory work, practical training, and scientific research activities as provided in the curriculum of the implemented educational programs.
Three multimedia classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards, video projectors, and computers are used in the educational process. All necessary teaching and methodological materials are available in the University’s local network.
Students and faculty actively participate in the social life of the Republic of Kalmykia, contributing to the revival, preservation, study, and promotion of the rich spiritual heritage of the Kalmyk people. Graduates of the Institute successfully defend dissertations, lead ministries, and work in educational, cultural institutions, and mass media.
Faculty members actively organize extracurricular activities for students, emphasizing academic engagement, research work, and more. Students receive support in organizing research activities and establishing contacts with leading scholars. Faculty supervise graduate students’ independent work in scientific libraries. Students participate in fieldwork expeditions to collect linguistic, folklore-ethnographic, and cultural materials within Kalmykia and abroad (Mongolia, China). Fieldwork expands students’ horizons, scholarly erudition, and practical skills.
Students have opportunities to visit exhibitions, concerts, and theaters, followed by discussions about their experiences. They actively participate in all planned educational and patriotic events organized by the Institute, fostering patriotism, civic responsibility, love for their homeland and profession, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, and intellectual development.