'Education in Russia is much more affordable than in US or UK'

Bihar boy Tabrez Khan, 29, says education in Russia is much more affordable than in the US or UK

A boy from a small village, Mobarakpur, in Bihar's Aurangabad district stumbled upon great opportunities when he came to know about the scholarship offered by the Ministry of Education of Russian Federation, while reading a newspaper in 2010. He was so inspired to get foreign education that there was no looking back for him. The journey was not easy, but it was worth it, he says.

At 29, Tabrez Khan now looks back with pride, as he is in the second year of his PhD in Industrial and Civil Engineering at People Friendship University of Russia (PFUR) also known as RUDN University, Moscow. His research focusses on developing value engineering management system for construction projects in India.

"It has been eight years since I came here for my higher studies. I have completed my Bachelor's and Master's of Technology (Civil Engineering). I started the course after completing Russian language course in 2010-11 in Moscow, which is mandatory considering the language of instruction here is Russian," says Tabrez.

"Learning Russian opened many doors as I worked as an interpreter with Prime Minister, Narendra Modi during his visit to Russia in 2015 and 2017 and was part of the delegation of former president Pranab Mukherjee in October 2013," he adds.

Khan is also the president of Indian Students Association in Moscow. "The presidency offered me an opportunity to work with many celebrities including the late Sridevi, Ayushmann Khurrana and industrialists such as Anil Ambani," says the 29-year-old researcher.

AFFORDABLE STUDY

Growing up in Gaya, Bihar, he was inspired to study Civil Engineering in a European university, but later realised that Russian Civil Architecture was way ahead. "The living expense in Russia is less as compared to other European countries," says Tabrez, adding, "As I am studying on a scholarship, all my expenses, including education fees, accommodation and monthly expenses are borne by the government."

LANGUAGE NOT A BARRIER

"As a part of my preparation to study in Russia, I pursued a short-term course in Russian language from Jamia Millia University. I faced trying times initially, but as the years passed, I interacted more with the local community, which increased the comfort level, and language is no more a barrier now," says the research scholar.

RUSSIAN EDUCATION

The education system here focusses on practical knowledge more than theory, informs Khan. The Russian Education Ministry encourages student exchange programmes by offering scholarships to Indian students every year. "Studying in PFUR has allowed me to understand multiple cultures, langauges and people as there are students from around 170 nationalities studying here. The medium of instruction for international students is English, which makes it easy for us to understand," says Khan.

Khan strongly suggests research before applying. "Indian students planning to study in Russia should collect every possible information from Russian university websites instead of consulting the agents.

One should chose universities or courses based on their own aspiration and ambition, instead of blindly relying on others," suggests Khan.

INDIA-RUSSIA TIES

Russia has a good political relationship with India and they love Indian culture and celebrate all Indian festivals, says Khan. "It has been very easy for me to be a part of the major Indian festivals even while staying here in Russia since we have a huge Indian students' community here and I am also one of their representatives. We make sure to keep the little India alive here."