More than 2,500 school students discovered the Far East at the National Centre RUSSIA

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Over 2,500 senior school students from the Central Federal District spent nine days learning about the distinctive features of Russia’s dynamically developing macroregion — the Far East. The School Students Forum concluded its work at the National Centre RUSSIA.

The Forum brought together students from educational institutions in Moscow, as well as the Moscow, Ryazan, Smolensk, Vladimir, Kaluga, Yaroslavl, Bryansk, Kostroma, and Ivanovo regions. The event became a platform for introducing young people to the unique opportunities offered by Russia’s Far East for education and future career pathways.

The Forum’s main objective was to present to school students from the central regions of the country the leading universities and vocational colleges of the Far East. Senior school students were also introduced to opportunities in employment, tourism, housing, social support measures and benefits for those relocating, as well as possibilities for starting a business, self-fulfilment and personal development.

"New jobs and infrastructure are being created in the Far Eastern Federal District so that young people, including those moving from other regions, can feel comfortable both during their studies and after graduation. This is the most important message we want to convey to the participants of the School Students Forum," said the Forum speaker, Head of the Project Office for the Promotion of the Far East and the Arctic of the ANO "National Priorities", Yuliya Shuvalova.

According to her, holding the Forum in Moscow is an excellent opportunity to introduce young people to the Far Eastern Federal District, its opportunities and prospects: "Perhaps during the next admissions campaign they will make a positive decision and come to the Far East."

One of the clear advantages of the Far East is its proximity to the Asia-Pacific countries. Students regularly take part in exchange programmes and internships. One example of such cooperation is Dorzhi Banzarov Buryat State University. Its Rector, Aldar Damdinov, pointed to the growing number of students arriving from the central regions.

"This is really great, because young people have the chance to see our vast country and receive an education at some of its best universities. We often talk about the turn to the East, about how the whole country is now actively developing cooperation with Southeast Asia. Buryat State University works very actively with all our partners in Southeast Asia and, in essence, represents an entry point to the eastern gateway," said Aldar Damdinov.

The Far East is a promising region not only for travel and study but also for real opportunities in developing entrepreneurial skills. Forum speaker Vadim Yermolayev, Director General and Co-founder of the Tikhrybkom Magadan Seafood group of companies, told the students about this. Even as school students or university students, young people can come to the Far East during the summer and earn their first official income, for example, during the salmon fishing season.

"You can work in the processing of pink salmon or chum salmon, see how caviar is salted, gain experience, perhaps go to sea or watch how vessels approach for unloading. Maybe this maritime vibe — interesting, romantic, and profitable — will appeal to you, and you will continue this work and return to us," said Vadim Yermolayev. "Believe me, Vladivostok, the Primorye region, Magadan — these are regions full of niches where you can apply your entrepreneurial abilities, your desire to earn money, your intuition and develop yourself as a future entrepreneur."

On the final, ninth day of the Forum, participants from the Ryazan region shared their impressions of the business programme and their visit to the interactive exposition "Far East".

"This is an excellent event because it allows graduates to shape the future trajectory of their development and learn more about the Far East, which is indeed important and, one might say, a priority," noted Darya Vinogradova, Adviser to the Headteacher for Education and Cooperation with Children’s Public Associations at School No. 75 in Ryazan.

Mia Pokrovskaya, a Year 9 student from the same school, believes that such events and expositions are very useful. According to her, they make it possible to explore different regions of our country in an interactive format and appreciate the scale and opportunities of Russia.

The project "Far East Regions Days in Moscow" was implemented with the support of the Office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic, the Far East and Arctic Development Corporation, and the non-profit organisation "Foundation for the Development of Social Initiatives".