Top international graduates commended in ceremony
On June 25, 2026, the History Museum hosted a ceremony honoring distinguished international graduates. Three representatives of the international student body delivered speeches of gratitude.
The event opened with the student anthem and welcoming remarks by Olga Vershinina, Director of the International Office.
“You have not only graduated from Kazan Federal University – you are the best among thousands of international students. This is truly remarkable. I wish you success,” she stated.
Irina Maksimova, Deputy Director for Innovation at the Institute of Information Technology and Intelligent Systems, also addressed the graduates, expressing her appreciation and wishing them success in their future professional and personal endeavors.
Suo Jilong, a graduate of the Institute of International Relations, performed a flute piece. Following the musical performance, graduates who had distinguished themselves in academic, research, athletic, and extracurricular activities were honored. Three students – Wardana Rifki Kusuma (Indonesia, Institute of International Relations), John Alejandro Martinez Mendieta (Colombia, Institute of Management, Economics and Finance), and Kaba Djiba (Guinea, Institute of Ecology, Biotechnology and Nature Management) – delivered speeches.
“I would like to thank my professors, who not only gave us knowledge but also taught us to think and to believe in ourselves. Thank you for your patience and wisdom. I am grateful to my classmates – you have become my family. We prepared for exams together, laughed at our mistakes, and supported one another; without you, this journey would have been much more difficult. My sincere thanks to Olga Vershinina and to this country for accepting me as I am and providing me with an education that will stay with me forever. I will take with me not only a diploma, but also a love for a great culture, literature, and history. To future international students, I would say: do not be afraid to dream. Education is not just a diploma, it is the way you see the world. Thank you for your attention, and happy holiday,” said Wardana Rifki Kusuma.
John Alejandro Martinez Mendieta noted that one of the reasons he chose KFU was its welcoming attitude toward international students. A citizen of Colombia, he is also an entrepreneur and the owner of a company that assists applicants in gaining admission to Russian universities.
Olga Vershinina explained that the tradition of holding such ceremonies at the History Museum reflects its unique atmosphere, as it is a venue for the university’s most significant events. She also expressed her hope that international graduates would long remember their time at KFU.
“More than 13,000 international students study at Kazan Federal University, including those at the main campus, as well as at branches in Naberezhnye Chelny and Yelabuga, and at our two international campuses in Uzbekistan and the Arab Republic of Egypt. Kazan University is one of the leading institutions in terms of internationalization. It ranks first among Russian universities and holds the 118th position globally in terms of the number of international students,” she noted.
The graduates took a group photograph in the Emperor Ballroom and near the monument to Vladimir Lenin.