26/03/2026

A project by KSUAE architecture students won first award in a prestigious international competition in Japan

On March 25, 2026, the results of the prestigious international competition for ideas to develop the "Museum Road" were announced in Kobe, Japan. Both students and professional architects were invited to participate.

In the first round, a team of architecture students consisting of Ksenia Egorova (fourth year), Daria Shel (fifth year), and Elena Solnyshkova (third year), under the guidance of professors Ilnar and Rezeda Akhtyamova, successfully completed the competition and advanced to the final round, among seven teams competing out of 122 applications submitted by participants from around the world.

In the second round of presentations in Japan, the students submitted their proposal, which centers on transforming the transit zone between museums into an independent immersive environment. The team proposed reimagining the visitor's journey, transforming it into a "Soundscape," where the acoustic experience becomes the primary factor in cognition.

Following the review, the KSUAE project was awarded FIRST PLACE, receiving the highest praise from the international jury: - "The project, awarded the Grand Prix as the most creative, attracted attention not only with its striking visual expression but also with its unique concept for the development of the urban environment. The project offers a vibrant visual space where one can experience and hear the true 'sounds' of the city. This innovative idea was highly praised by the jury as a solution capable of expanding the cultural potential of Museum Road and Kobe as a whole, creating new value for the city." - "The project demonstrated an outstanding level of creativity, which was the main criterion of the competition. The jury praised the unprecedented concept of 'experiencing roads through sound' and the inspiring vision of the future it offers for Museum Road!"

Second award was shared by large-scale collaborations between professional firms (ALTEMY Inc., Fumi Aso) and leading Japanese universities (the universities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and others). Prizes also include leaders of Japanese students, independent architects, and large design firms such as FISH+ARCHITECTS.

In 2026, the Kobe administration plans to incorporate these ideas into the city's development by engaging the winning architects as experts for this Agreement. The winners received generous prizes: 1,000,000 yen for first place, 500,000 yen for second place, and 100,000 yen for the top three places.

Congratulations to Ksenia, Daria, and Elena and their leaders on such a significant income!

22/03/2026

KSUAE International students took part in the spring festival "Navruz"

Kazan hosted the national holiday of Navruz, which means in Farsi as "new day." It symbolizes the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year for the Turkic and Iranian peoples. For Tatarstan, where representatives of 175 ethnic groups live in peace and harmony, Navruz has long been more than just a national celebration, but a shared springtime celebration where representatives of different cultures and ethnic groups gather to showcase the richness of their cultures, traditions, and national dishes. The celebration was organized by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tatarstan, the House of Friendship of Peoples of Tatarstan, and the Assembly of Peoples of Tatarstan.

Thanks to the support of the KSUAE International Relations Department, international students annually become acquainted with the culture and traditions of the ethnic groups participating in Navruz.

This year, international students from Turkey, Ecuador, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Peru, and other countries participated in the Navruz events. Teachers introduced the students to the history of the holiday and the traditional dishes and treats of various nationalities. The students watched horse races organized in honor of the holiday at the hippodrome. During a vibrant multinational concert program, the students listened to performances by creative groups showcasing traditional songs, dances, and costumes, danced enthusiastically to national music, and purchased souvenirs at a large exhibition and fair of folk arts and crafts. The students also tasted one of the holiday's main dishes—pilaf, prepared using various recipes from the Turkic peoples.

Some students were already familiar with Navruz traditions in their home countries, such as Turkey, but all of them were pleasantly surprised by the scale of the celebration in Tatarstan, the diversity and vibrancy of the cultures represented, and expressed a strong desire to participate in similar events in the future. International students shared their impressions of the festival: "The first thing you see before entering the festival is the color; people are dressed in a variety of beautiful traditional attire in a wide variety of colors. Nowruz is a wonderful time in the company of incredible people". "A beautiful sunny day during which I discovered a new side of Russia, and most importantly, it wasn't cold". "The atmosphere was very warm and joyful; it even reminded me a little of Peru".

19/03/2026

KSUAE participated in a meeting of the Presidium of the Association of Cities and Municipalities of BRICS+ countries (India)