International Students Testimonials

Padma Bolla, India

Samara National Research University

I studied under the PhD programme and received two diplomas –  of Russian and Finland universities

I came to Samara in 2016 to defend a PhD degree in Technology. At Samara University I studied GNSS space navigation technologies under the guidance of Professor Kai Borre. We also collaborated with the scientists from Finland (the University of Tampere), South Korea, and with the professors from the USA and Spain. It was very interesting. The university has a great system of educational process, an excellent support system for foreign students, which is especially important for those who do not know Russian. The staff of the International Office, colleagues at the department and in the laboratory helped me. They did everything to make me feel comfortable here. And due to the modern equipment of the GNSS receivers laboratory, there were all opportunities for carrying out serious research.

The programme of double PhD diplomas, under which I studied, gives a lot of opportunities: from choosing an interesting scientific field to meeting outstanding scientists and getting a good job in the future. Besides studying at Samara University, I was able to work at the University of Tampere and in the end to get two diplomas at once. Samara and Finnish universities have tried to organize the training process in such a way as to unite the interest areas of my two scientific supervisors. I was ready to work hard, as the research topic captivated me. It is necessary to understand that a PhD degree is not the same as a master’s or bachelor’s degree. You do not need to study specific subjects and take exams. You do something unique, innovative, you publish the results of your study. It is challenging, but it is very interesting to work.