The rector of KRSU at EEF 2026 outlined the role of teacher training in preserving the Russian language in Kyrgyzstan

The preservation of the Russian language in the education system is directly related to the training of teachers capable of teaching not only the humanities, but also the exact sciences in it. This was stated by the rector of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University Sergei Volkov at the Eastern Economic Forum 2026.The rector of KRSU spoke at the panel session «Russian language in Asia: a bridge between states, economies and cultures». The discussion was timed to commemorate and comprehend the contribution of the outstanding linguist, ex-president of the Russian Academy of Education, head of the board of trustees of the «Russian World» Foundation Lyudmila Alekseevna Verbitskaya.The conversation brought together representatives of government, universities and the professional community. Among the participants are Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Olga Petrova, Vice-President of the Russian Academy of Education Viktor Basyuk, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology of Moscow State University named after M.V. Lomonosov Yuri Zinchenko, President of the Asia-Pacific Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature Alexander Zubritsky, Rector of the Pacific State University Yuri Marfin, Rector of the Ryazan State University named after S.A. Yesenina Dmitry Bokov, founder of the «Total Dictation» Olga Rebkovets foundation. The moderator was Viktor Basyuk.Participants discussed what today determines the position of the Russian language in Asian countries and how much its demand depends on education, science, professional mobility and economic ties. One of the central questions was how to make the Russian language for the younger generation not only part of the cultural heritage, but also a tool for obtaining education and a profession.Sergei Volkov presented the experience of Kyrgyzstan, where the Russian language has official status and maintains significant positions in the education system. According to him, the university’s task in this area is much broader than the scientific study of the position and status of language.One of the key contributions of KRSU is the training of those who will teach in Russian in schools and universities. The university trains Russian language teachers, primary school teachers, preschool education specialists, teachers of exact sciences, history and history of religions. A separate area is the training of management personnel for higher education. Currently, about 400 future teachers are studying in the pedagogical areas of KRSU.«It is fundamentally important for us not only to study the situation of the Russian language, but also to prepare those who will come with it to school and university tomorrow. These are Russian language teachers, primary school teachers, preschool education specialists, teachers of exact and humanities», Volkov said.The rector also spoke about the work of KRSU in school education. Another topic of the speech was educational literature. According to Volkov, to maintain a full education in Russian, modern textbooks and educational materials are needed, including for higher education. KRSU already has its own experience of such work.The Russian language at the university, the rector noted, is used not only as a subject of study. It provides training, students master fundamental and professional disciplines, work with scientific literature, conduct research, participate in conferences, academic exchanges and international projects.«For our students, Russian is the language of professional development. For a future engineer - the language of technical thinking and engineering documentation. For a doctor, it is the language of professional knowledge and clinical communication. For a teacher, lawyer, economist or IT specialist, it is the language of mastering modern professional culture and inclusion in the professional community», Volkov noted.The demand for such education, according to the rector, extends beyond Kyrgyzstan. About 50 thousand foreign students from 70 countries study at universities in the republic, about 80% of them choose educational programs in Russian. More than 4 thousand people took courses in Russian as a foreign language on the basis of KRSU.At the same time, Sergei Volkov emphasized that the development of the Russian language should not be opposed to the state Kyrgyz language. At the university, multilingualism is considered an advantage: the Kyrgyz language provides a connection with the national culture, historical memory and social life of the country, Russian provides access to the Eurasian educational and scientific space, English and other foreign languages - to global communication.Volkov believes that the position of the Russian language in the future will be determined primarily by what real opportunities it gives to the new generation.«The future of the Russian language depends not only on how carefully we preserve its cultural heritage. It depends on how convincingly we can show the younger generation the opportunities that this language opens up for the future», emphasized the rector of KRSU.