Ural Federal Yeltsin University (UrFU) was established in 2011, when two leading universities of the region (Ural Technical and Ural State Universities) merged into one. With more than students UrFU is one of the largest universities of Russia. To maintain the leading positions of UrFU the Russian Government annually provides extra investments for development in the amount of €25 million euro. Yeltsin? Why Yeltsin? Boris Yeltsin, first President of Russian Federation, graduated from Ural Technical University in Nowadays Ural University bears his name.

UrFU is situated in Ekaterinburg, a large city in the Ural mountains, which separate Europe from Asia. Founded in 1723 as a mining town, nowadays Ekaterinburg is one of the most prosperous and dynamic cities in Russia. It brings together modern image of a business city, uniqueness of the Soviet architectural experiments and beauty of the 18th century old buildings.

UrFU is known for its productive collaboration with the local industry. UrFU Hi-Tech Engineering Center has the newest equipment, which allows use modern engineering technologies. Center was founded with the support of DMG Group. There is also a special class equipped with support of EMCO Group where students can produce machine software or even working area of a machine-building factory

The center is producing radiopharmaceuticals with the use of a powerful cyclotron. These medicaments are for cancer treatment. UrFU is developing thorium reactors for nuclear energetic in order to promote energetic safety in the region

Ural Pharmaceutics Center is formed by UrFU and its partner companies. The Center is funded by the Russian governmental programs. Here, Triasavirin, an anti swine flu medicine has been developed. Professor Vladimir Rusinov is the head of the research group, which has developed Triasavirin

 The Center is equipped with modern microscopes, which allows produce nanocrystals.  The Center was awarded with golden medals at the Geneva Invention Exhibition in Switzerland. A ‘clear room’ maintains sterile environment to conduct experiments with considerable precision.

UrFU is deeply involved in the protection of environment. University’s botanic garden and biostation help to protect the biodiversity in the region.

Center of Modern Culture is participating in many projects, among them is Ural Industrial Biennale. ‘Underground art’ is exposed at the museum. A multidisciplinary research institution, which embrace the whole spectrum of social sciences. It has gained a strong national and international reputation as the biggest multidisciplinary center for studies in toleration and multiculturalism in Russia.

Originally aimed at researching peoples of the Northern Eurasia, nowadays the Festival is dedicated to cultural diversity of youth flows or labor migrants. Last year, the Festival’s program included 23 films from different countries. The Center’s mission is to promote national cultural heritage worldwide with the help of modern audio- and visual technologies. The Center has its own cinema producing facilities and an archeological exposition.

University’s library is one of the best in Russia with more than 3 million books, dozens of electronic databases and unique collection of the 18 – 19 th centuries scarce books. More than readers attend the library every year. UrFU holds one of the largest Russian collections of manuscript and early printed books, representing the peculiarities of Russia’s religious and spiritual heritage.

UrFU has more than 180 international agreements with universities and research institutions from all parts of the worlds. Over 100 UrFU students annually study abroad in frames of these agreements. UrFU participates in various European programs including Tempus and FP7.

UrFU team regularly reaches the final of the ACM International Collegiate Programming Contest. In 2001, 2010 and 2011 the team got “bronze” medals. It won over Massachusets Institute of Technology, Princeton University and Beijing University. UrFU was the first organizer of information security contests in Russia. The annual contest RuCTF is held at UrFU under the international rules «Capture the Flag».

There are over 30 sport teams at UrFU. Hockey team is the second best student team in Russia. ‘Phenomen-A’ is a team of cheerleaders popular among their fellow students. The team has won medals of the European Cheerleading Championship.

Traditional parades of UrFU students are held on October,19 (UrFU birthday) and May,7 (Day of Radio) One of the oldest and the most famous students festivals in Russia «UPI Spring», which goes back to 1958.