Sechenov University hosted the first large-scale meeting of International Alumni. More than 200 doctors, scientists and biomedical entrepreneurs from 8 CIS countries and 29 far-abroad countries, representatives of the diplomatic corps and other distinguished guests joined this meeting.

The solemn event will serve as a motivation to form the global Sechenov community and strengthen professional partnership between Russia and foreign countries. Meetings of the International Alumni will become a new tradition of the University and will be held regularly.

Sechenov University graduates live and work on all the continents. Some of them stayed in Russia, and others returned to their home countries to develop medical science there. This year, the International Alumni Society started its activities at Sechenov University. Its mission is to strengthen professional ties between the University and Alumni, to make domestic medical science and education popular abroad. Among the results of such cooperation will be new joint educational programs, research and development projects, international internships for students and doctors.

The solemn program of the meeting was opened by Prof. Andrey Svistunov, Sechenov University’s First Vice-Rector. He told that exactly 75 years ago in 1949 the first international student came to study at Sechenov University. It is significant that a new stage in the development of international medical education was started right now - it does not end with studying at the Alma Mater, but should continue within humanitarian cooperation between Russia and foreign countries.

The participants of the meeting were welcomed by several representatives of the Embassies of foreign states in the Russian Federation: Hamad Hashed Ali Alhebsi, Counselor of the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in the Russian Federation, Faizal Bin Shani, Counselor-Envoy of the Embassy of Malaysia in the Russian Federation, Chamila Jayarathna, Minister (Education & Trade Affairs) of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Mai Nguyen Tuyet Hoa , the First Secretary of the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in the Russian Federation, and Ba Yuxin, the third Secretary of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation.

This year, the University leadership decided to create the International Alumni Society. Prof. Mikhail Brovko, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of Sechenov University introduced it to the meeting participants. He noted that Sechenov Alumni are specialists of a new generation. It means that "methods of communication with them should be modern."

The Sechenov Alumni International digital platform has been launched specifically for the purposes of the society. This is a key tool for working with graduates, employers and University staff, a new format of interaction that will help bring together highly qualified specialists from around the world to share experience, work on joint research projects and do international research.

In the format of round tables, the meeting participants discussed specific steps for development of the International Alumni Society – from creation of regional graduate clubs to advanced training courses and a Business Club for biomedical entrepreneurs. Additionally, they discussed how to inform future applicants about the benefits of studying at the University.

The Cultural Center of Sechenov University has prepared a concert for the guests – international students actively take part in the creative performances.

After the end of the meeting the participants share their impressions and make plans for further cooperation in the Sechenov International Alumni Telegram channel.

"I am a doctor from Algeria, I studied at Sechenov University as a residency student in Cardiology. Thank you for this wonderful and unforgettable day! Everything was at the highest level, we had a great time and had an opportunity to get to know colleagues and students from different countries better," Dr. Buruba Rush.

"Thank you very much for organizing such a solemn meeting. Sechenov University is always the first and the best in everything!" – Dr. Najafi Maede Mahmudali.

"I express my sincere gratitude for the invitation to the first alumni meeting at Sechenov University. It was a wonderful opportunity to re-connect with other graduates and share the spirit of our shared experience," – El-Yaqoub Abdullahi Haroun.

Today, over 6,000 international students from 114 countries study at Sechenov University. 14 Specialist degree programs, 15 Master programs, and more than 70 postgraduate and residency programs are available for international students.