Latest news with #LomonosovMoscowStateUniversity
Associated Press
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
SDRT Hosts Documentary Screening Event at Lomonosov Moscow State University
MOSCOW, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 24 (local time), Shandong Radio and Television Station and Shandong International Communication Center, shandian news, in collaboration with China International Communications Group Central and Eastern Europe & South-Central Asia Communication Center (China Pictorial), hosted a documentary promotion and screening event at Lomonosov Moscow State University. More than 60 attendees participated in the event, including faculty representatives and student delegates from the Department of Globalization Studies of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Zhou Shengkuo, deputy party secretary and editor-in-chief of Shandong Radio and Television Station, delivered a keynote speech titled Telling China's Stories Well via Documentaries. Using acclaimed works such as Life at the Yellow River Delta, Mount Tai, and The Wu Liang Shrine as examples, he introduced measures taken by Shandong Radio and Television Station and Shandong International Communication Center in high-quality content production and international communication. He also engaged in interactive discussions with students. Since 2019, Shandong Radio and Television Station has produced over 70 documentary works with more than 300 episodes, winning over 50 national awards. Notably, the international version of Life at the Yellow River Delta garnered three Telly Awards, namely, the Gold Award in the Nature Category, the Gold Award in the Photography Category, and the Silver Award in the Short Documentary Category, attracting widespread attention from industry and academic circles. Zhou also emphasized that civilizations become richer and more colorful through exchanges and mutual learning. Documentaries serve as a 'universal language' that transcends borders and are a vital medium for exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Shandong Radio and Television Station adheres to the principles of 'Shandong narratives, global expression, integrated communication, and Chinese ethos,' focusing on natural landscapes, cultural history, and social realities. With documentaries from multiple perspectives to show the beauty of nature, history, and humanity, Shandong Radio and Television Station has been telling China's stories with sincerity, passion, and dedication. Zhou added that excellent documentaries serve as 'mirrors,' reflecting the defining moments and transformations of an era. Grounded in Shandong, the station and the Shandong International Communication Center highlight Chinese symbols, employ Chinese narratives to showcase Chinese strength. They engage in dialogue with the present, the era, and the world through documentaries, articulating China's perspectives and fostering meaningful cultural exchanges. In the future, more documentaries will be produced to serve as a bridge for friendly exchanges between nations, especially among youth, to present China as a country worthy of friendship, trust, and respect. At the event, Liu Weibin, director of the Documentary Center at Shandong Radio and Television Station and chief director of the documentary Life at the Yellow River Delta, shared backstories of the documentary's production process. Ilya Vyacheslavovich Ilin, dean of the Faculty of Global Studies, Lomonosov Moscow State University, said he had visited China several times and was deeply impressed by the documentaries produced by Shandong Radio and Television Station. He expressed his eagerness to visit Shandong and hoped to leverage each side's strengths to deepen cooperation in various fields and advance China-Russia exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. Ma Jingyan, a Chinese doctoral student at Lomonosov Moscow State University, said she was excited to attend the event and view the visually stunning documentaries while studying abroad. She also expressed her hope to participate in future promotional activities held by Shandong Radio and Television Station to help introduce the beauty of China to more Russian friends. Founded in 1755, Lomonosov Moscow State University has 43 departments. Established in 2005, the Department of Globalization Studies is Russia's first academic unit dedicated to the study of global processes. It focuses on cultivating talent in international relations. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Shandian News
Russia Today
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
From Soviet classrooms to presidential palaces: How USSR educated African leaders
For decades, education has been a powerful bridge between Russia and Africa, shaping generations of professionals and leaders. The Soviet Union's investment in international knowledge exchange laid the foundation for enduring partnerships, and today, Russia continues to attract African students in growing numbers. More than just a destination for higher learning, Russia offers affordability, academic excellence, and a strong network of alumni who serve as cultural and professional ambassadors. Interestingly, personal recommendations – driven by nostalgia, shared experiences, and a deep emotional connection – play a crucial role in influencing new applicants, proving that education is not just about knowledge but also about lasting relationships. 'You should start with getting to know the Soviet Union' For many African students, studying in Russia isn't just a personal choice; it's a legacy passed down through generations. Older classmates and alumni, who once walked the same path, eagerly recommend their universities, fostering tight-knit diasporas within Russian institutions. They form an important 'capital' for Russia, as they become carriers of the Russian cultural and educational brand and often participate actively in educational and scientific exchanges. FILE PHOTO. African students studying at Lomonosov Moscow State University. May 5, 1961. © Sputnik/Oleg Dr. Issa Togo from Mali, now an associate professor at the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering, St. Petersburg, who once had countless options but chose the USSR, recalls : 'I knew next to nothing about the USSR. I just had a general idea of socialism and capitalism. If I wished, I could continue my education in France, Italy, or Germany. But my choice was partly influenced by my brother's advice: 'You will always have a chance to go to these countries. You should start with getting to know the Soviet Union.'' READ MORE: Africans are increasingly learning Russian. Why? His younger compatriot, Brahima Togola, who has been connected with the Russian language and Russia since his school days and is now a PhD student at the Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH), explains his choice by the fact that he was surrounded by 'many friends' relatives who, at the time, were civil servants in the country and had studied in the Soviet Union.' They shared their memories and explained 'Russian patriotism and culture,' describing the climate, the Moscow metro, and Red Square. Today, around 35,000 African students are studying in Russia, most of whom are enrolled through quotas that cover not only tuition fees but also dormitory accommodation and provide a monthly stipend. In the 2025/26 academic year, Russia will allocate 4,816 state-funded places for students from Africa, slightly more than the 4,746 places in 2024/25. Last year, 14,000 applicants competed for these spots, with 2.7 applicants per place. In 2025, the largest number of places will go to applicants from Egypt, Algeria, Angola, Chad, Mali, Congo, Nigeria, Zambia, Benin, Guinea, and Zimbabwe. According to Rossotrudnichestvo, the Russian agency responsible for international cooperation, the most popular fields of study are medicine, economics, IT, international relations, oil and gas, and construction. African students are admitted to leading Russian universities, with the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) traditionally leading the list, followed by St. Petersburg State University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Bauman Moscow State Technical University, and others. FILE PHOTO. Foreign students at Patrice Lumumba University of Peoples' Friendship. July 1, 1963. © Sputnik/Vladimir Minkevich How the USSR shaped Africa's professional elite READ MORE: Fellowship: Why African students decide to connect their lives with Russia From 1960 to 1992, the USSR trained over 40,000 qualified professionals for Sub-Saharan Africa. The majority of students, 87%, received higher education, studying at universities and institutes across various Soviet republics. The largest number of African graduates came from institutions in the Russian SFSR and the Ukrainian SSR. In Soviet education, Africans valued applied specialties that would make them sought-after professionals in their home countries. Engineering and technical professions were the most popular, followed by agriculture, veterinary medicine, and medicine. The latter, in particular, was the most desirable field for postgraduate students. Statistics from the final years of the USSR, from 1980 to 1991, show which African countries sent the most students to the USSR, including Ethiopia, Congo-Brazzaville, Madagascar, Nigeria, Mali, and Ghana. FILE PHOTO. Students from developing African countries study at Moscow medical college No. 18. May 1, 1972. © Sputnik Soviet education gave graduates who returned to their home countries a competitive edge, allowing them to compete even with graduates from universities in former colonial powers, primarily France and the United Kingdom. Another popular destination was the United States. Although Soviet graduates were not inferior in qualifications and had also learned a new language, not all of them achieved immediate fame or high positions in their home countries, especially in the years following the collapse of the USSR. 'After the collapse of the Soviet Union, all its graduates in Mali were marginalized, and most of them were unemployed, except for a few lucky ones,' Malian PhD student Brahima Togola from RSUH told RT. 'Young people want to come to Russia to study' READ MORE: Why Russia needs an independent Africa Over time, the situation gradually normalized, and new inspiring examples emerged among high-ranking officials, academics, and opinion leaders. Even today, despite the tense geopolitical situation, students from across the continent continue to show active interest in studying in Russia. 'Young people in South Africa want to come to Russia to study. It is not easy because of the language and also because of the geopolitics. These things do not stop them from wanting to know more about Russia,' says Dr. Mava Mbulawa, a medical graduate of RUDN and president of the South African Forum for Russian Alumni 'Shyire Krug'. Attractive conditions can be found in countries where Russian companies are active. Previously, Kasse Abdou Fata, a PhD student from the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, told RT: 'As more and more representatives of Russian businesses came to Africa and relations between Russia and Senegal developed, young people began actively learning Russian... Russian-speaking candidates have an advantage when applying for work in a Russian company.' Namibian President Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. © AP Photo/Esther Mbathera However, it is not only career prospects but also the successful examples of compatriots that particularly motivate African youth. Their numbers are large and spread across the continent. Even in countries where the level of cooperation with Russia remains relatively low, there are examples of respected and successful individuals who studied in the USSR. Ministers, presidents, and more Former Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia. © AP Photo/Jerome Delay Doors opened more easily for highly qualified graduates who had received education abroad, which further influenced their career trajectories. In Africa, there are three current heads of state who studied in the USSR: Angolan President Joao Lourenco, recently re-elected Ghanaian President John Mahama, and Namibian political veteran Ndemupelila Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who recently won the presidential election. Angolan President Joao Lourenco. © Horacio Villalobos - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images The Russian language can compete with former colonial languages, which have become official or lingua franca in most African countries. Although most high-ranking officials speak English (63%) and French (50%), Russian is also among the most widely spoken languages, according to a study by the Higher School of Economics. It is spoken by 19 political leaders, or 2.6%. Among non-native languages for decision-makers, Russian ranks first, ahead of German, Spanish, Chinese, and others. READ MORE: Missed this? The sneaky trends of 2024 that could flip Russia-Africa relations Elena Apasova, vice rector for strategic communications at RUDN, told the newspaper Izvestia that graduates of the university hold the following government positions in their home countries: prime minister, minister of health, minister of natural resources and tourism, and minister of emergency situations. Some graduates changed their professions and chose civil service. For example, this was the fate of Fatima Abdel Mahmoud. She was one of the first women to hold political office in Sudan. In the 1960s, she studied pediatrics at RUDN in Moscow but chose a political career. By 1973, she was appointed deputy minister of youth, sports, and social affairs. Newspapers at the time wrote that Sudanese women were 'seeking a new path' and turning a page in the history of a 'highly conservative society in Sudan, where 90% of women are officially listed as illiterate.' She remained politically active throughout her life and ran for president twice. Ghanian President John Mahama. ©This is not an isolated example; many other African leaders also studied in the USSR. The list includes former Central African Republic President Michel Djotodia, former Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga, and current Congo-Brazzaville Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso, among others. Congo-Brazzaville Foreign Minister Jean-Claude Gakosso. ©'It is important to know that most of Mali's top officials were trained in the USSR, both in military and civilian fields, including several staff members of the Malian Embassy in Moscow and the former prime minister,' notes Souleymane Kante, a PhD student from Mali majoring in international relations at RUDN. Many university rectors and professors in Mali also received their qualifications in the USSR. The legacy of Soviet education in Africa continues to shape the continent's professional and political landscape. Over the decades, thousands of African students have pursued higher education in the USSR and later in Russia, returning home with valuable knowledge, professional skills, and a deep understanding of Russian culture. Many have risen to influential roles in government, academia, and business, further solidifying the enduring bond between Russia and Africa. Former Malian Prime Minister Choguel Kokalla Maiga. © Sputnik Despite changing global dynamics, Russia's educational allure remains as strong as ever. With its mix of affordability, high-quality education, and a legacy of successful alumni, the country continues to draw young Africans seeking opportunity abroad. Russia's investment in education serves as a strategic tool of diplomacy, ensuring that its presence in Africa extends far beyond trade.
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Chinese algorithm claimed to boost Nvidia GPU performance by up to 800X for advanced science applications
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Researchers from Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, a collaboration between Lomonosov Moscow State University and the Beijing Institute of Technology, have reportedly developed a new computational algorithm that can significantly enhance the efficiency of peridynamics (PD), a non-local theory used to model fractures and material damage. The new method increases performance by up to 800 times, dramatically improving the speed of large-scale material simulations. Peridynamics is widely used to predict material failure in aerospace, civil engineering, and military applications. However, traditional PD simulations require significant computational resources, making large-scale studies slow and impractical. Associate Professor Yang Yang and her team tackled this problem by leveraging Nvidia's CUDA technology to optimize algorithm design and memory management. Their PD-General framework achieved up to 800x speed gains on an Nvidia RTX 4070 compared to traditional serial programs and 100x faster performance than OpenMP-based parallel programs. In large-scale simulations with millions of particles, it completed 4,000 iterative steps in five minutes. For high-scale 2D uniaxial tensile problems, it processed 69.85 million iterations in under two minutes using single precision. The enhanced computational efficiency means researchers can now conduct simulations on consumer-grade GPUs instead of relying on costly, high-performance computing clusters. This has broad implications for industries that require detailed material analysis, including: Aerospace and Defense: Improved modeling of material stress and failure in aircraft structures. Engineering and Manufacturing: More efficient testing of materials for construction and industrial applications. Military Research: Faster development of impact-resistant materials for defense systems. The ability to achieve high-performance simulations on widely available GPUs also reduces reliance on restricted foreign technology. Given ongoing trade restrictions and sanctions, this breakthrough allows China and Russia to potentially advance research without depending on high-end computing hardware from Western countries. This development also marks a significant step in computational mechanics, enabling faster and more accessible simulations for material science, engineering, and defense applications. The study was notably published in the Chinese Journal of Computational Mechanics on January 8, 2025, and the research team believes that this optimization could extend beyond peridynamics, improving GPU performance for other scientific computations.
South China Morning Post
29-01-2025
- Science
- South China Morning Post
Chinese algorithm boosts Nvidia GPU performance 800-fold in science computing
Published: 7:00am, 30 Jan 2025 A high-performance algorithm that could solve complicated material design problems on consumer GPUs has been developed by Chinese researchers, achieving a groundbreaking 800-fold increase in speed over traditional methods. Developed by a research team at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, co-founded by Lomonosov Moscow State University and Beijing Institute of Technology, the new algorithm enhances the computational efficiency of peridynamics (PD), a cutting edge, non-local theory that solves difficult physical issues such as cracks, damage and fractures. It opens up new possibilities for solving complex mechanical problems across various industries, including aerospace and military applications, on widely available chips that are low-cost and not subject to US sanctions . Peridynamics has proven advantageous in modelling material damage, but its high computational complexity has traditionally made large-scale simulations inefficient, with issues such as high memory usage and slow processing speeds. To address these challenges, Yang Yang, an associate professor, leveraged Nvidia's CUDA programming technology to create the PD-General framework. By making an in-depth analysis of the chip's unique structure, her team optimised algorithm design and memory management that led to a remarkable performance boost. Their research was published in the Chinese Journal of Computational Mechanics on January 8. 'This efficient computational power allows researchers to reduce calculations that would typically take days to just a few hours – or even minutes – using an ordinary home-level GPU, which is a significant advancement for PD research,' Yang wrote in the paper.
