The Coordination Center for .RU/.РФ has long maintained productive partnerships with many Russian universities. In May and June, Andrey Vorobyev, Director of the Coordination Centerfor TLD .RU/.РФ, served on the State Examination Committees at two of the country’s leading universities: RUDN University and MGIMO.
At MGIMO University, Andrey Vorobyev was a member of the State Examination Committee of the Department of World Politics, where the first cohort of students in the Digital Diplomacy master’s program defended their theses. Eighteen graduates received master’s degrees, including two with honors.
The Digital Diplomacy master’s program prepares diplomats, international civil servants, and political analysts who can effectively use the internet, artificial intelligence (AI), and modern information and communication technologies to advance diplomatic objectives, including promoting accurate information about Russia’s foreign policy and engaging with people in Russia and abroad through social media and digital platforms. This is a new area for MGIMO University: the program was launched in 2024, and this year’s graduates are the first to complete it.
Cooperation between the Coordination Center and MGIMO University spans a broad range of initiatives. For example, in 2025, the book International Internet Governance, published jointly by the Coordination Center and MGIMO’s Department of World Politics, was presented at the 15th Russian Internet Governance Forum (RIGF 2025). In early July 2026, Coordination Center experts will also deliver lectures at the MGIMO Summer School on the Digital Transformation of the EAEU Legal Space.
At RUDN University’s Institute of Russian Language, Andrey Vorobyev served on the State Examination Committee for master’s theses in the Digital Innovations in Philology and Intelligent Technologies and Data Analysis in the Humanitarian Sphere programs. Seventeen students earned master’s degrees, nine of them with honors.
The Digital Innovations in Philology program is a unique interdisciplinary course that ensures both advanced philological expertise and digital competencies for students, preparing graduates for careers as data analysts, software and application developers, social media specialists, and other digital professionals. The Intelligent Technologies and Data Analysis in the Humanitarian Sphere program trains specialists who can work at the intersection of the humanities and digital technologies. Graduates combine a strong foundation in linguistics, history, sociology, and cultural studies with expertise in data analysis, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. The program aims to prepare professionals capable of translating Humanities challenges into technological solutions, and vice versa.
According to Andrey Vorobyev, the 2026 graduates at both MGIMO and RUDN demonstrated an exceptionally high standard of academic achievement:
“The depth of the topics explored and the overall quality of the research were particularly impressive and deserve to be highlighted. Many of the theses have genuine scientific potential and could serve as the basis for future doctoral research.”
He also singled out a master’s thesis at RUDN University devoted to the digitalization of the Udmurt language, emphasizing its relevance and importance for preserving and promoting Russia's linguistic heritage.
“I would also like to especially thank Natalya Pomortseva, Doctor of Pedagogical Sciences and Director of the Institute of Russian Language at Patrice Lumumba RUDN University, for developing this interdisciplinary program and ensuring such a high standard of student training. The Coordination Center and RUDN University actively cooperate under the Memorandum of Cooperation our organizations signed. This July, students from the Digital Innovations in Philology program will complete a summer internship at the Coordination Center. It will be the third consecutive year that RUDN students have undertaken summer internships with us,” Andrey Vorobyev said at the RUDN graduation ceremony.
The Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ closely cooperates with numerous Russian universities. Its experts regularly deliver open lectures, seminars, and workshops, while students take part in summer internships at the Coordination Center. University representatives also participate in the Internet Governance Summer School and other educational initiatives organized by the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ.
