Peoples’ Friendship University (PFU) was founded on 5^th February, 1960 by the USSR Government. On 22^nd February, 1961, the University was named after Patrice Lumumba — one of the symbols of the African peoples’ fight for independence. Students and academics could be free to pursue their learning, teaching, and research activities at PFU, without being subject to political context, but firmly directed to the grand principles of friendship and mutual support.In 1960, Russian language studies for international students started at the preparatory Faculty. On 1st September, the Russian language studies were introduced at the six main PFU faculties (Engineering faculty, faculty of History and philology, Medical faculty, Agricultural faculty, faculty of Science, faculty of Law and economics). The first 288 students from 47 countries graduated in 1965. The University started to expand. Generous donations from the Soviet Government enabled  PFU in 1966 to start the construction of a new campus in the South-Western district of Moscow.

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