Some Russian universities threaten expulsion to Tajik students who have been prevented from leaving Tajikistan due to travel restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Tajik students undergoing clinical residency at the Novosibirsk State Medical University and who failed to leave Tajikistan due to travel restrictions have received messages proposing them to take a sabbatical next year because it is impossible to study medicine online.
Recall, some 20 Tajik students of Russian universities gathered outside the MFA building in Dushanbe on November 9 urging the authorities to find a way for them to travel to Russia for their studies.
These students entered universities in the Russian Federation this year and they say that if they do not arrive at the place of study, perhaps they will be expelled.
Stuck Tajik students of Russian universities complained they are unable to study online because Internet connections are too slow and too expensive in Tajikistan. Besides, they cited frequent electricity outages.
Meanwhile, some students, for example those studying to be a pilot or a programmer, say the distance learning does not suit them because “only books are not enough.”
MFA official Parviz Najmiddinov met with the students and told them the matter was being discussed with relevant ministries and agencies of the Russian Federation.
According to him, they addressed this issue to the relevant structures of Russia back in August. “The epidemiological situation is not yet stable, and therefore, this issue is still under consideration by the Russian side,” Najmiddinov said.
According to the Tajik MFA information department, the response of the Russian authorities to the inquiry of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Tajikistan says that entry of foreign students to Russia will become possible after a general decision on the entry permit for foreign citizens is made.
The Russian side also noted that some Russian higher educational institutions had organized distance learning to students from other countries who were not be able to come to Russia.
Meanwhile, when Tajik students explained Russian universities that they were unable to study online, Russian universities said that it was not their problem.
Tens of thousands of Tajiks are studying at foreign university every year. The vast majority of them are enrolled at universities of Russia, China, Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan
