By S. M. Inam
KARACHI: A briefing for journalists was held at the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, known as the Russian House, in Karachi. The session marked the arrival of a delegation from the Ural State Pedagogical University and the launch of the selection campaign for Russian government scholarships. The delegation was led by Dr Roman Porozov and Anton Dolgov.
The Ministry of Education of Russia, the Ural State Pedagogical University, the Foundation for the Support of the Humanities “My Story”, and the Russian House in Karachi have announced free courses in Russian language and culture. Registration for the program is now open, with classes running until the end of October. Each participant will be awarded a certificate of completion.
The courses are being taught by teachers from the Centre for Open Education at the Ural State Pedagogical University, including Dr Porozov and Dolgov. Speaking to reporters, Dr Porozov described the university’s programs and shared his impressions of teaching in Pakistan.
“This is not our first – and hopefully not our last – visit to Pakistan,” he said. “In 2024 we had a unique opportunity to teach Russian at universities in Karachi. We also held several workshops on culture, history and the Russian education system. My colleagues and I were struck by some important features. Pakistani students are very pragmatic, and they know exactly why they are studying Russian. Despite the short duration of the course, our students were able to read within a week. Yes, they were simple words and phrases, but in a very good way we were surprised by their ability.
“We also had the chance to gain new experiences and share our own with Pakistani colleagues. Through round tables and conferences we got to know one another and present our academic traditions. We sincerely hope that this stay in Pakistan will bring benefits to both countries.”
Ruslan Prokhorov, head of the Russian House, fielded questions about the annual scholarship program. He explained that applications and documentation could be submitted online between 15 September 2025 and 15 January 2026, ensuring access for candidates across Pakistan. The requirements are minimal: an application form, proof of education and a valid passport. Participation is free of charge, with no restrictions on age, gender or place of residence.
Prokhorov stressed that the Russian House in Karachi is the only authorized body overseeing the selection process. “We have no other branches or partner organizations in Pakistan,” he said. He warned that some candidates had received fraudulent offers of guaranteed scholarships in exchange for money, and urged applicants to report such cases to the Russian Centre in Karachi.
Official information, he added, should be sought only from the Russian House or directly from the university’s international department. He also noted that rising demand for Russian education in Pakistan has already borne results. This year, the number of scholarships awarded to Pakistani citizens has more than tripled. Even so, he said, competition for places remains among the toughest in the world – a sign, in his view, that further increases in scholarships for Pakistan are likely.
