LOOK: Pinay Graduates with Highest Honors from Russian University

A scholar from Dipolog City graduated with highest honors from the People’s Friendship University (RUDN) of the Russian Federation with a degree in Master of Science in Agronomy.

Shyatesa Ceprado Razo was awarded the Красный диплом or “red diploma” at the graduation ceremony held June 24, 2017 at the RUDN in Moscow.

This is the highest rank in the Russian academic honors system, equivalent to summa cum laude.

Razo also obtained the Best in Thesis Award for her study on “Development of immunoassay amplification for high sensitivity detection of plant pathogen.”

Ambassador Carlos Sorreta congratulated Razo for her achievement.

“Shya arrived in Russia in 2014 with zero knowledge of the Russian language. Two years after, she graduates at the top of her class in a degree program that was taught all in Russian. What she accomplished was no easy feat so we are very proud of her,” he said.

Razo’s two-year study in Moscow was sponsored by the Russian government and Armi Lopez Garcia, Russia’s Honorary Consul in Cebu.

“Shya’s experience shows that, with focus and diligence, the language barrier is not at all insurmountable. We hope that more and more young Filipinos will study in Russia and get the best of what this great country can offer, especially in the hard sciences and arts. We believe that academic changes are an important aspect of Philippines-Russia bilateral relations. This is why we actively promote this,” Sorreta said.

Every year, the Russian government allots scholarships for young Filipinos interested in pursuing studies in Russia.

However, the language barrier and lack of information about Russia are some of the factors why there are only a few students who apply for the scholarship in the past.

The RUDN is one of Russia’s leading universities. It was founded in 1960 with the key objective of providing quality education to students from developing countries.

(Source: ABS-CBN.com)