Organized by the SFedU's International Relations Office, the fair featured representatives from 29 partner institutions across 12 countries, including China, Turkiye, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, South Korea, Brazil, Serbia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, and Armenia. Attendees browsed informational materials, picked up souvenirs, and even tried on elements of traditional attire from partner countries while snapping themed photos.

Opening the event, Maksim Bondarev, SFedU Vice-Rector for Project and International Affairs, underscored the university's commitment to fostering global connections.

"A university gives you a diploma, a profession, friends, and a network—but that's not the core of it," Bondarev told the audience. "The real mission of a university is to connect people with the ideas and culture of their time. And you can't do that without being truly international. Right now, 40 SFedU students are studying abroad on the Rector's Scholarship alone."

Ruben Tsitsuashvili, Head of SFedU's International Relations Office, reflected on how the event has grown since its launch three years ago. "What started as a standout initiative has quickly become a tradition," he said. "We're constantly thinking about how to make our graduates competitive on a global scale—and you simply can't test that without real exchange experience."

In a practical session, Nadia Klyuchko, International Mobility Coordinator, walked students through the application process for SFedU's mobility programs. She outlined eligibility criteria, broke down the competitive selection stages for the Rector's Scholarship, and encouraged students to start preparing their documents early.

Throughout the fair, consultation booths staffed by program alumni and international office specialists offered personalized guidance. Students asked about country-specific application timelines, language requirements, academic expectations, and day-to-day life abroad.

Student Ambassadors Share Real Stories

A highlight of the day was a series of talks by SFedU students who had recently returned from exchange programs. These "ambassadors" gave candid accounts of adapting to new academic cultures, navigating daily life, and building connections overseas.

One standout story came from Yaroslava Nikitina, a physics major who spent last spring at the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) .

"Honestly, those six months in Malaysia were about so much more than academics—they were a life-changing cultural experience," Nikitina shared. "What amazed me most was the warmth of the people. From day one on campus, I felt completely at home. And the most surreal moment? Meeting the Queen of Malaysia, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, UTM's Chancellor. Talking with her in person is something I'll never forget."

The event wrapped up with an interactive quiz and a lively prize draw, sending engaged participants home with both souvenirs and fresh inspiration.

Southern Federal University continues to expand its international partnerships and create pathways for students to step onto the global stage. With initiatives like the Partner Universities Day, SFedU is making the world a little more accessible—one student at a time.