I consider my contribution to the MGIMO Endowment Fund as an investment in enhancing the global competitive edge of Russian education. Today the University is one of the most widely recognized leaders of national higher education, training highly qualified experts; the political and business elite of Russia. MGIMO is the brightest education institution in Russia, and therefore it’s well-known far beyond our borders and the CIS. The Endowment Fund for the University is an opportunity for greater financial sustainability and a pathway to independently determining long-term strategy for its own development.

Alisher Usmanov

My alma mater MGIMO founded the first Endowment Fund in Russia. I am very pleased that I have had a direct role in its creation. It is not just designed to solely serve one generation. The Fund fits perfectly into my vision of charity as a systematic, thoughtful, and transformative action. Income from bequests gives the University the opportunity to develop. For our alumni this is a chance to repay a symbolic debt for our education, which then has become the key to our success. I continue to support MGIMO and in addition to donations to the Endowment Fund, for the past 15 years my foundation has been supporting top students to attend pre-diploma internships in different countries around the world. From this year the program has been expanded: the budget has been increased up to 24 000 000 rubles (approximately US$426 000), and students will be able to complete their internship not only at the Foreign Ministry, but also at various foreign institutions, that are subsidiaries of the Ministry of Economic Development, and at international organizations. I am confident that this will assist them to make a more conscious choice in favor of a diplomatic career.

Vladimir Potanin

MGIMO’s confidence in the future is not least underpinned by the efforts of members of the Board of Trustees, who helped the University establish the Endowment Fund. This tool is a kind of “airbag”, which is especially important in the current economic realities.

С.В. Лавров