Summer school "Gubkin Globe" for foreign students of Gubkin University
From June 30 to July 11, 2025, the summer school "Gubkin Globe" was held for foreign students of the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) as part of the project developed by a team of young scientists on the field trip "Expedition "Gubkin" 2.0 - One Step Before the Century". The organization pursued the goals of simplifying the adaptation period of foreigners in the student environment, their involvement in scientific activities, increasing motivation for the educational process and introducing them to Russian culture. The summer school was attended by 62 students, including representatives of the following countries: Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, Syria, Iraq, Ecuador, Venezuela, Peru, Gambia, Chad, Mozambique, Angola, Malaysia, Somalia, North Macedonia. The school participants study at various departments of the university: oil and gas field development, design, construction and operation of pipeline transport systems, chemical engineering and ecology, automation and computer engineering, economics and management, as well as at the preparatory department.
The summer school program included both educational and entertaining events. Firstly, the teachers of the university departments gave 17 lectures. Foreign students took part in several trainings and master classes designed to reveal their creative potential and contribute to their personal growth. Also, students in small subgroups went on excursions to educational sites and laboratories on the territory of Gubkin University. Secondly, the summer school program included off-site events outside the university, namely a quest in the VDNKh park and excursions in small subgroups to such museums as the Museum of Main Gas Transport, the Oil pavilion at VDNKh and the PJSC LUKOIL Museum.
The opening of the summer school took place on June 30, 2025, where Vladimir Koshelev, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, gave a welcoming speech, and Valery Bessel, Professor of the Department of Thermodynamics and Heat Engines, gave a lecture. The first week was intense and productive. Students had the opportunity to listen to lectures from experienced teachers on various aspects of the oil industry: processes of geological exploration, production, transportation and processing of hydrocarbons, as well as the specifics of the oil and gas sector economy. The lecturers talked about modern methods of solving problems that arise at each stage of the technological chain, providing students with relevant knowledge and practical recommendations. Interest in the classes was maintained at a high level, ensuring effective assimilation of the material by all course participants. Of particular value for the participants of the Gubkinsky Globus summer school was the meeting with psychologists, which allowed them to feel more comfortable in the social environment of the university. In order to raise awareness of the opportunities for starting scientific activities, students were given tours of the Gubkin University grounds, where teachers told them in detail about the topics and resources used to conduct scientific work in their departments.
The busy week ended with the event "VDNKh Quest", which was an adventure for foreign students aimed at exploring the territory, getting to know the history, architecture and culture of one of the largest parks of culture and recreation in the capital of Russia - VDNKh. Completing the quest required attentiveness, observation and the ability to navigate on a map. Participants completed tasks related to the history of the most important periods in the development of Soviet and Russian society, and the country's cultural traditions.
One of the highlights of the quest was the group's visit to the "Moscow Model" pavilion. Here, foreigners had the opportunity to see a miniature copy of Moscow and examine the architectural landmarks of the capital, completing tasks to get acquainted with the features of urban planning, transport infrastructure and cultural life of Moscow. The quest aroused particular interest among foreign students.
The second week of the summer school was devoted mainly to educational field trips. Students went to museums dedicated to the history, current state and development prospects of the country's oil and gas industry, where they could use interactive exhibits. Participants of the summer school "Gubkin Globe" demonstrated a high level of understanding of the Russian language, as well as the culture of behavior in socially significant places of the capital.
An equally useful part of the program were master classes and trainings from competent employees of Gubkin University. Foreign students had a unique opportunity to share the difficulties they encountered during their studies and life in Russia, as well as discuss possible ways to overcome them.
On the final day of the summer school, the head of the department for work with foreign students, Aleksandr Shcherbina ceremoniously presented certificates to the participants of the event and gave them a farewell speech. The students had the opportunity to express their impressions. In their opinion, thanks to the summer school "Gubkinsky Globus" they not only gained new knowledge, but also practiced the Russian language and learned more about Russian culture. Thus, the result of participation in the summer school "Gubkinsky Globus" was the expansion of the horizons of foreign students regarding the oil and gas industry and Russian culture.
