International PhD Graduates Successfully Defend Their Theses at UrFU

15:57, July 23, 2020

Young researchers make the most of their talents in one of the leading universities in Russia

International PhD students are successfully defending their theses at Ural Federal University. For young scientists, this is the most important milestone when they present the results of their scientific research activity to dissertation councils.

 “In June and July, more than half of all our PhD graduates defended their dissertations in English, and the dissertations are also written in English,” says Aleksey Ivanov, Deputy Vice-Rector for Science at UrFU. - The defenses were held partially online. This is a very big advantage of our system which has allowed us to do this in recent months. Throughout the country, such an opportunity has appeared a few days ago. And we issued such an order before. At the same time, due to the pandemic, we have delayed some thesis defenses until autumn. "

Currently, 166 foreign PhD students are studying at UrFU, and this year it is expected that some more dozens will be enrolled. According to Aleksey Ivanov, this will be also facilitated by the fact that the university is involved in the Olympiads held by the "Global Universities" Association. Through the Olympiads, potential PhD students from other countries earn points in order to receive referrals from their governments and then pursue postgraduate studies through Rossotrudnichestvo (The Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad and International Humanitarian Cooperation).

 “If a person chooses the path of teaching or research career, a doctoral degree is a mandatory step,” says Aleksey Ivanov. - In the Ural region, we are ahead of all other universities in the number of doctoral programs and their quality. We invite everyone to apply for our postgraduate programs, as we now have almost all main specialties. There are 26 active dissertation councils at the university and 3 more will appear shortly”.

About doctoral programs at UrFU

Ural Federal University provides training of highly qualified specialists through full-time postgraduate studies (called “aspirantura” in Russia) in 30 fields of studies. Tuition fee-paying and state-funded places are available. Admission to a PhD program is done on a competitive basis among applicants having completed higher education (specialist’s or master's degree) and demonstrating scientific and research skills. The duration of a doctoral program is 3 or 4 years (depending on the field of study).

Ural Federal University provides all necessary conditions and facilities for high quality postgraduate studies - high scientific level of researchers and PhD supervisors, a powerful pool of dissertation councils, postgraduate support programs. The university has an excellent library and modern laboratory facilities; there are opportunities to receive grants, get published in scientific journals, undertake an internship and participate in academic mobility programs in Russia and abroad. The university has a modern dormitory and different sports facilities. For PhD students with families there is a kindergarten and a children's health camp.

Contacts for consultation:

19 Mira str., Office Т-1004, tel.: +7 (343) 375-93-78;

51 Lenina av., Office 202, tel.: +7 (343) 389-93-30;

aspirant@urfu.ru