Peoples' Friendship University of Russia was founded by the decision of the government of the USSR on February 5, 1960. It was renamed on February 5, 1992.

In February 1975, the University was awarded the Order of Peoples’ Friendship for its contribution to preparation of specialists for countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Today Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia is one of the leading state higher educational institutions of Russia. It is a renowned research center well known both in Russia and abroad. More than 72 thousand graduates of the University work in 170 countries, among them more than 5200 holders of Ph. D. and Doctorate degrees.

Many PFUR graduates are prominent state and public figures in their countries, heads of companies, educational and scientific organizations in Russia, CIS, as well as countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. They help Russia and their native countries to establish new direct ties in development of economic, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation.

The University has a multi-profile structure of faculties and specialties, typical for classical universities of Europe. Specialists are prepared in 62 lines of study and specialties at the following faculties: Engineering, Medical, Physical-mathematical and natural science, Law, Economic, Philological, Humanitarian and social sciences, Agricultural, Ecological, Foreign languages and general study disciplines (preparatory faculty).

Structural subdivisions of the University include: the Institute of World economy and business, the Institute of Foreign languages, the Institute of Hospitality business and tourism, the Institute of Distant learning, Training-research Institute of Gravitation and cosmology; the Refresher faculty for teachers of the Russian language; Refresher faculty for medical staff; Center for training and re-training specialists; Center for pre-university education “Unikum-Center”. The University has branches in a number of Russian cities and towns.

As far back as in 1988, the University was the first to introduce the multilevel system of higher education (Bachelors – Masters).

The University provides the following levels of higher education: Bachelor – duration of the program minimum four years, Master – minimum two years after obtaining the Bachelor’s degree, Certified Specialist – minimum five years.

Currently there are about 28 thousand graduate and postgraduate students, attending physicians and probationers from 140 countries of the world at the University and its branches. They represent about 500 peoples and nationalities, among them representatives of more than 1000 Russian ethnicities, and about 5200 people are foreign citizens.

The specificity of the University is that graduates of all faculties can obtain a diploma of an interpreter-consultant in one or more foreign languages.

The University employs 2112 highly qualified teachers; among them 1800 are permanent staff members. There are 390 professors and holders of Doctorate degree, 920 associate professors and holders of PH. D. degree. Among teachers there are 61 academicians and Corresponding Members of various academies of the RF, 50 Honoured Scientists of the Russian Federation, 26 lecturers of PFUR are full members of foreign academies and academic societies.

The University is a renowned research center, where more than 500 employees are inventors and rationlizers. The University intellectual fund comprises more than 870 author’s invention certificates and 150 patents of the Russian Federation in practically all fields of University scientific research.

32 Dissertation Councils of the University consider Ph.D. and Doctoral dissertations written by postgraduate students and employees of the University as well as by specialists from other organizations in 88 specialties.

The University does scientific-research and development projects in priority scientific directions, including execution of orders of Russian and foreign companies.

The University has one of the best Russian schools of teaching Russian as a foreign language and teaching foreign languages to Russian-speaking students. It is enough to mention the fact that it was PFUR teachers who taught Russian to most foreign cosmonauts at the Gagarin Cosmonauts’ Training Center.

Recently the University has been using latest IT technologies for research and teaching. An IT Center ensures development of the University information network. PFUR has local networks; students and teachers access the Internet in class and after classes through high-speed intra-University and all-Moscow fiber-optic communication grid.

The University has a library with branches at different faculties and 14 reading halls. Extraordinary library resources contain about two million copies of scientific, educational and subject-specific literature, including books in dozens of foreign languages.

The University has a well-equipped campus with more that 20 buildings with well-developed infrastructure, including International club, policlinic, publishing and printing complex, trade center, sports facilities, students’ café and communal services center. University’s own security service employs more than 200 people.
The Unviersity has strong and extensive international links both with foreign universities and international organizations. Since 1964 PFUR has been member of the International Association of Universities (IAU) and member of Eurasian Association of Universities. PFUR has signed more than 190 cooperation agreements with foreign universities and carries out intensive academic and cultural exchange. PFUR was the first to introduce the credit system, implements a number of double-diplomas programs with European and American universities. About 100 foreign professors are invited with courses of lectures every year. Over 300 professors and 500 students are involved in academic exchange programs. In 2010 PFUR will celebrate its 50th anniversary.