News Desk
MALE’, Maldives — In a small ceremony at the Russian Consulate here, two ambitious Maldivian students received a boost toward their dreams of studying abroad, courtesy of the Russian government. Aleksei Idamkin, the consul general, handed over confirmation certificates for full scholarships that will send the young scholars to Russian universities next year, marking a quiet but meaningful step in the deepening ties between Moscow and Male’.
The recipients were visibly moved as Mr. Idamkin offered his congratulations. “You represent the bright future of the Maldives,” he told them, according to a consulate statement. “May your time in Russia not only enrich your minds but also forge bridges of understanding between our peoples.”
The scholarships, part of a longstanding program funded by the Russian Federation, cover tuition, living expenses and travel for undergraduate and graduate studies in fields ranging from engineering to medicine.
Russia’s quota program, which has quietly grown in recent years, offers a compelling alternative, one that emphasizes technical expertise and cultural exchange amid the Maldives’ push to diversify its economy beyond tourism and fisheries.
The event comes as Russia seeks to expand its soft-power footprint in the Global South, particularly in small island states navigating geopolitical currents.
Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are now open, with spots available under the government quota for Maldivian citizens. The process is straightforward but requires attention to detail: Prospective applicants should head to the official portal at education-in-russia.com and register in the “Education in the Russian Federation for Foreigners” system. From there, they’ll need to complete an online form, upload a recent passport-style photo, scanned copies of their passport and academic credentials (or a certificate of current enrollment), and submit everything via the GIS ORFI platform. Once filed, the application status should read “Pending Verification.”
As the two new scholars prepare to pack their bags Mr. Idamkin’s parting words lingered: success, he said, is not just about the degree, but the journey. In a world of flux, that journey now stretches from the atolls of the Maldives to the vast steppes of Russia.
