Testing Satellite Communication and Preserving Northern Culture: New Expeditions of ‘Rediscovering Russia’
From May to August 2024, 19 student expeditions took place across 15 regions of the country as part of the third season of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ project. Currently, 10 more project expeditions are underway. The second stage of the application selection for autumn expeditions began in early August, with submissions open until August 16.
Between May 17 and August 12, student teams visited the Sverdlovsk, Orenburg, Arkhangelsk, Nizhny Novgorod, Yaroslavl, Moscow, Irkutsk, Samara, and Chelyabinsk Oblasts, as well as the Republics of Sakha (Yakutia), Karelia, Chuvashia, Altai, Mari El, and Komi. In 2024, the expeditions were organised by 20 universities and 23 commercial and non-commercial organisations, which were selected in March as winners of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ programme's competitive selection.
‘Rediscovering Russia’ is an inter-university programme of student expeditions, implemented by HSE University in collaboration with the presidential platform ‘Russia—Land of Opportunity’ (website in Russian) and the Rosmolodezh programme ‘More than a Trip,’ with the support of the Russian Geographical Society and the Association of Volunteer Centres. It is planned that by November 2024, the expeditions will have covered 26 regions of Russia, with a total of 1,200 students participating in the programme over the year. Over the project’s eight years, more than 7,000 people have participated.
Ksenia Razuvayeva, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh)
‘Today, young people are interested in cultural and educational tourism, with over 70% expressing a desire to embark on such journeys. In student expeditions, participants grow professionally, acquire new skills, contribute to the development of the regions they visit, and feel a sense of importance in regards to their homeland.’
Recently, the expedition ‘Survey of Religious and Civil Architecture Sites of the Russian North’ was completed in the Kenozero National Park in the Arkhangelsk Oblast. Expedition participants catalogued valuable architectural objects in the Kenozero area.
Another expedition, initiated by the Bonch-Bruevich St Petersburg State University of Telecommunications (SPbSUT), took place in Yakutsk, Republic of Sakha. During the trip, the team tested the university's developments and technological equipment from partner companies. In the village of Tiksi, students deployed a hybrid communication network using SPbSUT developments, tested a portable satellite station, satellite receiver, energy-efficient transceivers, radio network analysers, and an automatic portable electroencephalograph.
Students of Russian higher education institutions aged 18 to 35 can participate in the student expeditions of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ programme. By joining the project, students have an opportunity to demonstrate professional competencies and work on real-life tasks for the development of Russian regions. At the same time, the regions can benefit from the support of Russia's best young specialists.
The project includes various types of expeditions: student teams can carry out cultural, social, educational, environmental, technological, and urban projects.
The second stage of the 2024 application selection for autumn expeditions began in early August, with submissions open until August 16 on the project's website (in Russian). The duration of trips ranges from 2 to 7 days, and all participants depart from the same region where the organiser is based. Selected expeditions receive support, including transportation, accommodation, meals, and a curated programme of activities for participants and mentors.
Applications for expeditions are accepted from universities, as well as commercial and non-commercial organisations. In March, more than 400 applications were submitted by 129 universities and 106 organisations, foundations, associations, government institutions, and development institutes from 106 cities across Russia.
See also:
‘Rediscovering Russia’: HSE Students Create a Development Strategy for the Priklonsky-Rukavishnikov Estate
In mid-July 2024, 18 students from various HSE campuses (Perm, Nizhny Novgorod, Saint Petersburg, and Moscow) participated in an expedition to Nizhny Novgorod Oblast to develop elements of a promotional strategy for the Priklonsky-Rukavishnikov estate. This project was conceived as part of the School of Snow 3.0 inter-campus expedition and was the winner of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ competition. We’d like to share the results of the expedition as well as the impressions of the participants.
First 43 Expeditions Selected for New Season of Rediscovering Russia
The competitive selection of the inter-university student expedition programme Rediscovering Russia has ended. The expeditions will take place from May to November 2024 and will cover 26 Russian regions. Students and graduates from any university countrywide, including foreigners, can apply for any expedition.
New Season of Rediscovering Russia Student Expedition Project Begins
From January 15 to February 15, the project website is accepting applications to organise and conduct expeditions for the 2024 season as part of the Rediscovering Russia project. In 2023, 1,000 students from 157 universities took part in the expeditions.
Annual Report of Rediscovering Russia Student Expedition Project for 2022 Published
The team of HSE University’s Rediscovering Russia project, with the support of the presidential platform Russia—Land of Opportunity and the More Than a Trip programme, has published an annual report on the results of the 2022 season in the format of a book. The publication includes key results, travel geography, project development plans, and much more.
Rediscovering Russia Expedition Submissions Open until June 15th
The Rediscovering Russia project invites universities, commercial and non-profit organisations to apply to organise and conduct student expeditions in 2023. Candidates can apply until June 15th, and the winning expeditions will receive financial and organisational support.
Big Challenges: Project Session on Yamal Held at HSE University
HSE University has hosted the project session ‘The Big Challenges Faced by Yamal’, whose speakers included Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (YaNAO) Dmitry Artyukhov, HSE University Rector Nikita Anisimov, and Vice Rector Dmitry Zemtsov. HSE University students designed concepts for expeditions to the region that they will be able to embark on in 2023–2024 as part of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ project.
Winning Expeditions of the First Wave of the ‘Rediscovering Russia’ Project Selection Announced
The first selection of winning expeditions of the inter-university student programme ‘Rediscovering Russia’ has been completed. The programme is being implemented by HSE University together with the presidential platform ‘Russia - Land of Opportunity’ and the ‘More Than a Trip’ programme. The Expert Council approved 47 applications, with 17 universities and 23 organisations among the winners. The expeditions will take place from April to July 2023 and will cover 41 Russian regions.
The Initial Results Are in for the Rediscovering Russia Student Expedition to the North Caucasus
KAVKAZ.RF summed up the initial results of the Rediscovering Russia student expeditions to the North Caucasus that were organised by HSE University and the Russia is the Land of Opportunities non-profit organisation. Drawing on the results of three expeditions, students prepared video depictions of six North Caucasus republics, developed a branding concept for Dagestani carpets, and drew up a new tour route through North Ossetia-Alania.