GOVPH

Filipino Scholar Graduates with Highest Honors from Russian University

Ms. Shyatesa C. Razo receives her reКрасный диплом or red diploma from RUDN Rector Vladimir Filippov on June 24 in Moscow. Also in the photo is Third Secretary and Vice Consul Luningning G. Camoying of the Philippine Embassy in Moscow. (Photo courtesy of S. Gestoso)

27 June 2017 MOSCOW – Ms. Shyatesa Ceprado Razo, a scholar from Dipolog City, graduated with highest honors from the People’s Friendship University (RUDN) of the Russian Federation with a degree of Master of Science in Agronomy (Major in Integrated Plant Protection).

Shya, as she is called by family and friends, was awarded the Красный диплом or red diploma at the graduation ceremony on June 24 at the RUDN in Moscow. This is the highest rank in the Russian academic honors system equivalent to summa cum laude. She also obtained the Best in Thesis Award for her study on the “Development of immunoassay amplification for high sensitivity detection of plant pathogen”.

In conveying his congratulations, Ambassador Sorreta shared that, “Shya arrived in Russia in 2014 with zero knowledge of the Russian language. Two years after, she graduates at the top of her class in a degree program that was taught all in Russian. What she accomplished was no easy feat so we are very proud of her.”

Shya’s two-year study in Moscow was sponsored by the Russian Government and Ms. Armi Lopez Garcia, Russia’s Honorary Consul in Cebu.

Every year the Russian Government allots scholarships for young Filipinos interested in pursuing studies in Russia. But there have not been many takers in past years due to a host of factors, including the language barrier and lack of information about Russia and on the availability of the scholarship itself.

“Shya’s experience shows that, with focus and diligence, the language barrier is not at all insurmountable. We hope that more and more young Filipinos will study in Russia and get the best of what this great country can offer, especially in the hard sciences and arts. We believe that academic changes are an important aspect of Philippines-Russia bilateral relations. This is why we actively promote this,” Ambassador Sorreta added.

The RUDN is one of Russia’s leading universities. It was founded in 1960 with the key objective of providing quality education to students from developing countries.  It was initially named after Patrice Lumumba – one of the towering figures in Africa’s fight for independence. Every year the RUDN welcomes students from about 150 countries from all over the globe pursuing degrees in various disciplines.

For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph. END

From left: Mr. Mikhail Ivanovich Nozhevnik, Almuni Coordinator, International Department of the Agrarian Technological Institute, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Luningning G. Camoying, Ms. Shaytesa C. Razo, and Prof. Elene Nikolaevna Pakina, Thesis Adviser, Agrarian Technological Institute of RUDN. (Photo by S. Gestoso