Trust not verify: at the National Centre RUSSIA, Maria Zakharova named working with information the key skill for students

The Director of the Information and Press Department and Official Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Maria Zakharova, held a motivational meeting with students from across the country at the National Centre RUSSIA. During a live discussion held on Russian Students’ Day, she spoke with the younger generation not only about the value of fundamental education, but also about its new role in today’s global information environment.

According to Maria Zakharova, one of the key professional skills developed by universities is the ability to take a critical approach to information flows.

"One of the main skills that higher education instils is working with sources and with literature. Technological tools are always different and constantly evolving. But whether it is a book, a library, a database or a digital environment, the principle remains the same: knowledge should be drawn not from fleeting forms of mass communication and literature that appear instantly, but from sources that already have verified status and an established historical reputation. These are precisely the key skills that higher education institutions provide literally from the very first year of study," said Maria Zakharova.

The official representative of the foreign policy agency also noted that in the era of digital diplomacy, students who master the art of verification themselves become some of the most important sources of reliable information about the country. According to her, even simple stories about the learning process, as well as about the culture and traditions of one’s home city or region, published on personal social media accounts, can overcome information barriers and create a vivid and truthful image of modern Russia for a global audience.

"The Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia has begun, and this creates even more opportunities and serves as an excellent starting point to talk about which people you represent and what your traditions are. When people abroad type the word ‘Russia’ into a search engine and look for news about the country, what could be more engaging than stories told by students who live here and are experiencing a very vivid and crucial stage of their lives — gaining knowledge and taking their first steps in putting it into practice. That is why, it seems to me, they can essentially become platforms in the digital environment, telling their peers — students like themselves — about our country, within the disciplines they study or within various interest-based communities, and so on. And I believe this is truly an invaluable contribution to digital diplomacy," Maria Zakharova concluded.

Student Unity Day at the National Centre RUSSIA was organised by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia with the participation of the Russian society Znanie, Rosmolodezh and the All-Russian student project "Your Move". The event, which this year was dedicated to the role of young people in the country’s development and their contribution to science, technology, culture and entrepreneurship, brought together 600 students from Moscow and the regions.