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Russia Calls Its Students Home from Abroad

FILE - A group of students enters the building that houses the Russian Mission to the United Nations in New York for a tour, March 26, 2018. Russia is urging about 60,000 of its citizens studying abroad to return home.
FILE - A group of students enters the building that houses the Russian Mission to the United Nations in New York for a tour, March 26, 2018. Russia is urging about 60,000 of its citizens studying abroad to return home.

Russia has launched a campaign urging about 60,000 of its citizens studying abroad to return home.

The marketing campaign is responding to "Russophobic attitudes" toward its citizens and students living abroad, according to the state-run RIA-Novosti news agency.

The campaign, announced April 16, is led by a government agency in charge of shaping Russia's image and supporting citizens living abroad.

Governments in many countries — especially Europe — "have increasingly taken on a harshly expressed anti-Russian character," the agency asserted.

Many of those countries, including the U.S., have accused the Russian government of ordering the poisoning of former Russian military intelligence official Sergei Skripal and his daughter on March 4 in Salisbury, Britain. The two were seriously injured.

Russia has denied involvement in the attack.

FILE - A police tent covers the spot where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill following a suspected exposure to an "unknown substance" in Salisbury, Britain, March 6, 2018.
FILE - A police tent covers the spot where former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia were found critically ill following a suspected exposure to an "unknown substance" in Salisbury, Britain, March 6, 2018.

The incident led many Western nations to expel dozens of Russian diplomats. Russia answered by expelling diplomats from Western countries.

Another official told the Kommersant newspaper there were concerns that young Russians may experience difficulties in nations expressing "unfriendly" feelings about Russia.

"It's an important question of safety for our youth, who study abroad. There are serious concerns that young Russians may fall victims of provocations in countries that have shown an unfriendly attitude toward our country," said Oksana Buryak, moderator at the presentation of the Rossotrudnichestvo project on bringing Russian students back.

The Moscow Times has reported that an agency official said the program was mainly designed to seek the return of Russians studying in Britain.

Schools across Russia are ready to accept Russians back to continue their studies at home, said Genri Sardarian, head of the department of management and politics at Moscow's MGIMO University.

"We often overrate foreign universities and underrate the level of education in Russian institutions," Sardarian said.

The worsening ties between the U.S. and Russia have made it more difficult for some American students seeking to study in Russia.

Stanford University in California suspended its study-abroad program in Russia after the U.S. State Department in January listed Russia as one of the most dangerous countries to visit. The advisory cited harassment and terrorism.

The U.S.-based Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies said in a statement that most universities feel they can trust their Russian partners to keep students safe at their programs. Most of its members still operate study-abroad programs, it said.

The Russian marketing campaign is called "Highly Likely Welcome Back," reflecting comments made by British Prime Minister Theresa May that a British investigation found it "highly likely" Russia was responsible for the poisoning.

The Russian agencies overseeing the campaign are officially called the Federal Agency for CIS Matters, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation.

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Ohio Public Colleges Told to End Race-based Scholarships

FILE - Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
FILE - Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio’s attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.

The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)

Greek Parliament Approves Branches of Foreign Universities   

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is applauded by members of his government during ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, at the Greek parliament in Athens, March 8, 2024.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is applauded by members of his government during ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, at the Greek parliament in Athens, March 8, 2024.

The Greek parliament voted to allow foreign universities to establish and operate branch campuses in the country.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the move was made to encourage Greek students to stay in the country for advanced studies, instead of going abroad for an education. (March 2024)

Virginia Bans Legacy Admissions

FILE - In this April 28, 2016, photo, students walk by the James Branch Cabell Library on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.
FILE - In this April 28, 2016, photo, students walk by the James Branch Cabell Library on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

The state of Virginia has banned legacy admissions to public colleges and universities.

The New York Times reports the state has outlawed the practice of giving preferential admissions status to students based on connections to alumni and donors. (March 2024)

New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices

New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices
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A new Texas law prohibits public universities from having special programs supporting minority and LGBTQ students. Critics say these diversity, equity and inclusion programs are discriminatory and divisive. But many students say they are needed. Deana Mitchell has the story from the Texas capital.

Here’s What It Feels Like to Find Home Between Two Cultures

FILE - The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Va.
FILE - The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Va.

Cynthia Jia, a student at the University of Virginia, writes about how Chinese literature helped reconcile her to being part of two cultures. Read her story in The Cavalier Daily. (February 2024)

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