A broad ecosystem of opportunities: RUDN University hosts the international conference “Current Challenges of Inclusive Education Worldwide”
Representatives of national education ministries from Hungary, Zimbabwe, Iran, Cambodia, Myanmar, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and the Central African Republic also took part in the conference.

Inclusive Approach
The conference was opened by Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. In his speech, he emphasized that the conference seeks to present a modern and forward-looking vision of inclusion that promotes an integrated approach ensuring equal access to quality education for everyone.

“These principles shape not only youth policy but the entire educational agenda of the country today. A wide ecosystem of opportunities for children and young people has been formed. It is based on creating equal conditions and ensuring access to quality education for all. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education pays close attention to this issue,” said Valery Falkov.
According to the minister, Russia’s inclusive approach is implemented through a wide range of initiatives. These include developing barrier-free environments, adapting academic programs, preparing educators to work with students with special educational needs, and introducing assistive technologies. Thanks to the implementation of the state program “Accessible Environment”, a network of resource-based educational and methodological centers for the education of people with disabilities is also operating in our country.
Accessibility, Mentorship and Support
The conference focused on developing shared definitions of modern inclusion based on the experiences of participating countries, identifying conditions for accessible and high-quality education for people with special educational needs, and exploring ways to foster an inclusive culture in education and promote it across society.
“RUDN University pays great attention to the issues of inclusive education. The very idea of our university is equal opportunities for all students: international students from 160 countries and all regions of Russia, young student families, children in need of mentoring or resource support. If we are talking about students with disabilities, the infrastructure at RUDN University is constantly adapting, the physical accessibility of the campus is ensured, the Scientific and Educational Center for Special and Inclusive Education operates. The center promotes awareness about creating an environment where everyone feels comfortable, where people understand and respect each other, and where asking questions and offering support comes naturally,” said Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University.
Modernization of Infrastructure and Teacher Training
During the plenary session “Inclusive Education Systems Around the World,” participants shared the experiences from their countries. Rahim Saidzoda, Minister of Education and Science of Tajikistan, noted that the country has approved the concept of inclusive education for the period up to 2045. The concept places special emphasis on ensuring equal access to education for all children without discrimination and on making the educational environment accessible. It provides for the modernization of the educational infrastructure, advanced training of teaching staff, and the development of interdisciplinary cooperation.
The representative of Cambodia shared that the country is working to ensure that children with disabilities, from kindergarten to higher education, can follow the entire path of education in the education system. He also noted the growing number of schools for children with autism, the need to develop educational materials for such children and improve the skills of teachers so that they can work with them.
Alongside the conference sessions, Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia, met with Jean-Laurent Syssa-Magalé, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Technological Innovation of the Central African Republic.
The two sides discussed key areas of bilateral cooperation, including professional training, finalizing a draft intergovernmental agreement on the recognition of education, promoting Russian language studies in CAR universities, and expanding academic mobility through the Russian-African Network University.
One of the day’s highlights was the awarding of the title of Honorary Professor of RUDN University to Jean-Laurent Syssa-Magalé.

In total, the conference featured two plenary sessions and fifteen thematic discussions covering topics such as education for young adults with somatic and chronic conditions, migrant integration within social inclusion policies, the use of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things in education and other topical issues.
The conference marked an important step toward strengthening international cooperation in building a more equitable and inclusive society. The key ideas and approaches presented by the speakers were incorporated into the Final Declaration of the Conference.
The Declaration outlines the following principles:
- equal opportunities, individualized support, and accessible environment;
- the importance of international cooperation;
- support for education in native and national languages;
- joint efforts to expand access to technologies and modern teaching methods;
- creating an international repository of best practices in inclusive education.
The university keeps warm memories of its graduates and the time when they studied and built their future at RUDN University. Today, for their children and grandchildren, the university offers its best Russian language courses completely free of charge.
One of the main questions that concerns students at any university is how to gain their first professional experience before completing their studies. At RUDN University, this process is structured systematically, from choosing an internship to potential employment opportunities.
The writing round of the final stage of The Moscow School Olympiad in the Arabic language took place at RUDN University. The competition was organized by the Center of Pedagogical Excellence.