The Ministry of Education in Russia has announced the dismissal of Natalia Trukhanovskaya from her position as the rector of the A.S. Pushkin Institute of Russian Language. The ministry cited inadequate control over exams for foreigners as the reason for her removal.
Following an inspection at the Pushkin Institute, it was discovered that there was improper monitoring of exams in Russian as a foreign language, Russian history, and basics of legislation. Nikita Gusev has been appointed as the acting rector, having previously served as the vice-rector at Lomonosov Moscow State University since 2016.
On April 16, Rosobrnadzor issued warnings to five universities regarding the impermissibility of violating the requirements for conducting Russian language exams for foreigners and issuing certificates to them.
Earlier, on April 8, five individuals, including employees of the Pushkin Institute, were detained in Moscow for allegedly illegally issuing Russian language proficiency certificates to migrants. Reports suggest that they were selling certificates to migrants for 5,900 rubles each.
