Russian State Social University (RSSU; Russian: Российский государственный социальный университет, abbreviated as РГСУ) was the first public university in the Russian Federation to offer undergraduate and graduate programmes in the field of social work. It is located in Moscow and has three main campuses. Russian State Social University is recognized as a fully accredited, state-owned, traditional institution. The current rector is Andrey Khazin.
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History
RSSU was founded in 1991 with the mandate to continue the core of the research and teaching activities of the former Higher School of the Communist Party. Initially, research and teaching were focused on the social and political sciences. Gradually, University activities extended into project work on social policy for State Institutions, as well as the education and support of acting administrators. RSSU launched educational programs in the areas of Social Work, Social Youth Work, Social Insurance, Social Gerontology and Social Support for the disabled. Since starting these programs, more than 400 000 social workers have graduated from the University.
Historical highlights
1991: Russian State Social Institute was established by an act № 15 of the Government of the Russian Federation.
1991: At Losiny Ostrov National Park, the first campus of Russian State Social Institute was opened.
1994: Russian State Social Institute was renamed to Moscow State Social University.
1998: Moscow State Social University was granted with the public traditional university status.
1999: Stromynka campus was founded.
2003: University received a campus on Wilhelm Pieck Street.
In 2005 Russian State Social University received its current name.
2005: On the territory of the Russian State Social University campus was founded the orthodox church named after the Feodorovskaya Icon of the Mother of God.
Faculties
RSSU has 16 faculties which are connected to the variety of scientific fields.
Faculty of Sociology
Faculty of Information Technologies
Faculty of Psychology
Faculty of Art and Cultural Activities
Faculty of Law
Faculty of Linguistics
Faculty of Social Work
Faculty of Humanities
Faculty of Economics
Faculty of Pre-University Training
Faculty of Management
Faculty of Further Education
Faculty of Communication Management
Faculty of Distance Education
Faculty of Postgraduate Studies
Preparatory Faculty for International Students
Among the specialties for undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs could be found: Sociology, Social Work, Youth Outreach Management, Psychology, Conflict Analysis and Resolution, Economics, Management, Human Resources Management, Business Information Systems, Psychology and Pedagogical Studies, Special Education, Linguistics, International Relations etc.
Campuses
RSSU campuses are located in different sides of Moscow, and each of them has a unique history.
Campus on Wilhelm Pieck Street
There is a complex of academic and administrative buildings on Wilhelm Pieck Street, including a library and sports facilities.
The current main building of the Russian State Social University starting from the 1920s there was a headquarters of International Academy for the Trade-Union Movement, where were built-up the members of Communist Parties from different countries, where these activities were banned. The Communist International (Comintern) settled in the same building from 1938 till 1943. During that time there were working such important players of the International Movement. From 1943, in the building was located the Soviet Information Bureau, sort of a fusion between the KGB, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Soviet Counterintelligence.
In 1956, the main building on Wilhelm Pieck Street passed to the Higher Party School, which in 1959 was replaced by the Marx-Engels-Lenin Institute, existed there until 1991.
In 2003 it became a part of Russian State Social University campus.
Campus on Stromynka Street
Academic buildings, students admission office, cultural center and a medical center are parts of the territory of the campus on Stromynka Street.
Campuses on Losiny Ostrov National Park
This RSSU campus on Losiny Ostrov National Park are surrounded by the forest. Academic buildings, college, and student dormitories are parts of the campus area.
International relations
Russian State Social University receives more than a hundred students participating in the mobility programs annually from Europe, South America, Asia and CIS countries.
Among the partner universities could be found the followings:
National University of Cuyo
University of Łódź
Pai Chai University
University of Huelva
University of Ostrava
Dalian University of Foreign Languages
Notable alumni
Borodakova, Maria – volleyball player, a member of the national team (2005-2013), world champion (2006, 2010), master of sports of the Russian Federation.
Galushka, Alexander – Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East.
Gamova, Ekaterina – volleyball player of the national team, world champion, master of sports of the Russian Federation.
Kapranova, Olga – athlete, the world and European champion, master of sports of the Russian Federation.
Karjakin, Sergey – chess player, the youngest grandmaster in history (Guinness Record), master of sports of Ukraine.
Kulikovskaya, Evgenia – tennis player and coach, master of sports of the Russian Federation (1998), the winner of four tournaments WTA (1996).
Metov, Kay – songwriter and composer, honored Artist of Russia (2015);
Nepomnyashchii, Ian – chess player, European champion (2010), Russian champion (2010).
Pochinok, Natalia – Doctor of Economics, professor, rector of the Russian State Social University
Yakimenko, Vasily – public figure and politician, businessman, founder and permanent leader of the youth movement «Moving Together».