Far Eastern National University was the first higher educational institution set up in the Far East and Eastern Siberia. Founded by a decree of Emperor Nicholas II in 1899 as an Oriental Institute, it was reorganized in 1920 into a university by a resolution of the Primorye Regional Council of Zemstvo.
DVGU is a classic example of a university with a well-balanced program of sciences, humanities and engineering. It has a graduate school, as well as vocational training and pre-enrolment courses. Over 600 educational programs are currently under way at the University, which has a student body of more than 41,000. Its 159 departments are staffed with 1,444 lecturers and instructors, of whom 267 have doctorates, and 842 have PhD degrees.
The University is a research hub in the Far East and Eastern Siberia. Between 35% and 75% of scientists and scholars doing research in the Far Eastern branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - mathematicians, physicists, biologists, environmentalists, orientalists, legal experts, etc. - are University graduates.
The University is active in pursuing international educational programs and promoting and popularizing the Russian language and Russian culture in the world. Interest in Russian history, culture, and language has spawned University's affiliates, as well as training and methodology centers in Asia-Pacific countries. With direct help from DVGU, 40 leading Asia-Pacific universities have set up their own departments and sub-departments of Russian Language and Literature in the past 15 years.
The University is actively pursuing international cooperation with more than 100 overseas colleges and universities. This cooperation has resulted in launching six "dual degree" international programs, and in founding 11 international educational, research and cultural centers in Japan, South Korea, China and other countries. DVGU is also active in the region's leading university associations. It is represented in such organizations as the prestigious Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU), the International Association of University Presidents (IAUP), and others. DVGU and its rector take part in shaping their policies and, in joint efforts with Asia-Pacific universities, promote educational, scientific, cultural and political cooperation.
The University is among the first 17 winners of a competition of innovation educational programs instituted by the Russian government. DVGU is also a winner of the Russian government quality prize and has received a number of top international diplomas and awards.