At the end of April, the Faculty of Philology and Journalism at Samara National Research University underwent a rigorous international and professional-public accreditation process. An external expert commission from the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization “National Center for Professional-Public Accreditation” (NCPA) evaluated a comprehensive cluster of ten educational programs, delivering high praise for the faculty’s academic excellence, cohesive community spirit, and deep commitment to quality education.
The expert team included distinguished professionals from across the post-Soviet academic and media landscape:
- Shirin Kostyuk, Director of the Institute of Journalism and Communication at Jusup Balasagyn Kyrgyz National University, member of the Kyrgyz Republic Union of Journalists;
- Irina Kuksa, Deputy Director of the Western Branch of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), member of the Regional Union of Journalists and the Guild of Experts in Professional Education;
- Anfisa Nagumanova, Deputy Head of Broadcasting at the Samara branch of VGTRK (“GTRK Samara”);
- Sabina Buslaeva, a student at Samara State University for Humanities and Pedagogy.
The visit was coordinated by Galina Bakumenko, Head of the Expert Relations Department at the National Accreditation Center.
The commission’s primary mission was to assess whether the faculty’s programs meet global standards of educational quality and to provide actionable recommendations for further enhancement. A positive evaluation will place the university in the DAQAR database—the unified registry of accredited institutions and programs across the Asia-Pacific region—and, pending final approval by the National Accreditation Council, grant it an official Certificate of International and Professional-Public Accreditation.
The reviewed cluster encompassed a wide spectrum of bachelor’s and master’s programs, including:
- Advertising and Public Relations in the Commercial Sector (42.03.01);
- Journalism (42.03.02) and Television (42.03.04);
- Media Project Design (Publishing, 42.03.03);
- Foreign Philology (English and German language and literature);
- Russian Philology (45.03.01);
- Translation and Interpreting (45.03.02);
- Master’s programs in Germanic Languages, Literary Theory and History, Communicative Practices in Journalism and PR, and Russian Language and Professional Communication (45.04.01).
Over several intensive days, the experts conducted a series of structured interviews and site visits. They met with university leadership, faculty deans and department heads, teaching staff, current students, alumni, and key employers—including directors and specialists from media holdings, advertising and communications agencies, cultural institutions, educational organizations, and public authorities where graduates are employed.
The commission also visited student practice sites such as the Maxim Gorky Literary and Memorial Museum and VGTRK “GTRK Samara,” toured the TV studio of the Social and Humanities Institute, and examined the resources and services of the university library. Additionally, they reviewed faculty research output, student theses, and records of achievements—including participation in international and national conferences, publications in high-ranking journals, and awards from academic Olympiads and professional competitions.
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Irina Kuksa, Deputy Chair of the expert commission, summed up the experience during the closing meeting:
“We’ve had an incredibly rich and intense week in Samara—evaluating the cluster of programs at the Faculty of Philology and Journalism of Samara University. This is a dynamic institution—‘cosmic’ in every sense, with cosmic ambitions and growth. In just three days, we spoke with over a hundred members of the university community: leaders, faculty, students, alumni, and employer partners. What struck us most was the inspiring love for alma mater, for one’s profession, and for the entire educational ecosystem. It’s a compelling case of shared purpose: a team of like-minded professionals capable of achieving anything, united by a vision to make the world around them better. In short—our colleagues both amazed and inspired us!”
As a result of the review, the university has already received a Certificate of Completion of International External Evaluation. In June 2026, the National Accreditation Council will issue its final decision based on the commission’s report, determining whether to award the Professional-Public Accreditation Certificate—a testament to the Faculty of Philology and Journalism’s standing as a leading center of humanities education in Russia and beyond.
