“The Key Is Trust in the Result”

Starting in 2026, all testing centers for foreign citizens in Russia will be required to administer examinations in the Russian language, Russian history, and the fundamentals of Russian legislation exclusively in digital format. The Ministry of Science and Higher Education has recommended that universities and other organizations operating testing centers select a suitable platform by the end of the year.

One such solution is the “Flow-Migrant and Odin. Foreign Citizen Testing Center” platform, developed by specialists at Tomsk State University. More than 35 testing centers across Russia have already adopted the platform or are in the process of connecting to it. The platform makes examinations fully transparent, secure, and convenient for both candidates and testing center staff. 

Alina Ivanova, Deputy Director of TSU's Institute of Distance Education and coordinator of the Flow-Migrant and Odin project, discussed the implementation process, its benefits, and new features planned for the near future.

— Which regions are currently adopting Flow-Migrant and Odin most actively? What difficulties do testing centers encounter during implementation?

— Institutions in the Siberian, Ural, and Central Federal Districts have been particularly active in adopting Flow-Migrant and Odin. These include the Tomsk, Kemerovo, Omsk, Tyumen, Nizhny Novgorod, Tula, and Belgorod regions, Krasnodar Territory, and the Republic of Bashkortostan. Regions in the Far Eastern Federal District have also shown considerable interest.

The main initial challenges are not related to the platform itself but to organizational and technical issues, such as insufficient computer equipment or the time required to train staff. We support testing centers at every stage by providing instructions, conducting online training, and assisting with equipment configuration. Full implementation generally takes no more than two weeks.

— What improvements and benefits do testing centers and candidates experience after switching to this digital system?

— For staff, the main advantages are the automation of routine procedures, including the preparation of examination reports, registers, and certificates, as well as data transfer to the Federal Register of Education Documents (FIS FRDO). This has reduced workloads, saving up to 80 hours per thousand applications and up to 150 hours in result processing.

Candidates also find the digital format more convenient. Registration and payment can be completed remotely, and they can select an examination date and location in advance, allowing them to plan their schedules without waiting in physical queues. The interface is intuitive, cashless payments are available via QR codes, and video recording provides confidence in the fairness and security of the examination. In the event of a dispute, objective evidence is always available.

— How does Flow-Migrant and Odin differ from other digital solutions on the market?

— The main difference is the complete digitalization of the process and the fact that testing centers do not need their own server infrastructure. Flow-Migrant and Odin is a cloud-based solution that requires no additional investment in server equipment or maintenance, which is particularly important for regional centers.

With many competing systems, centers must purchase servers and licenses and ensure uninterrupted power supplies and cooling. These are significant expenses that can amount to several million rubles. Flow-Migrant and Odin works out of the box: all processes run on TSU's secure servers, and technical support is available around the clock.

In addition, the system provides comprehensive video and audio recording of examinations, including the candidate's screen, face, and examination room. Records are retained for at least three years, ensuring transparency and security. Candidates also benefit from remote applications, flexible date selection, online payments, and examinations without queues.

— How is technical support provided to testing centers, particularly in regions with large numbers of candidates?

— Technical support is one of our system's greatest strengths. Every testing center has a dedicated manager, while support operators are available around the clock and respond within 15–30 minutes. We regularly organize webinars and video conferences and provide detailed instructions and checklists for preparing examination sites. This support model helps centers adapt quickly and avoid downtime.

— What new features will be introduced to the platform in the near future?

— We will soon introduce an AI-powered voice module for the automatic assessment of spoken language, enabling objective evaluation of speaking skills.

We are also integrating the platform with the Passport and Visa Service of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, which will accelerate application processing and improve data accuracy. At the same time, we are developing a module for citizenship examinations and configuring integration with the federal education results registration system so that data can be transferred automatically and without errors.

— Why do you consider Flow-Migrant and Odin the most mature and reliable solution currently available to testing centers?

— Flow-Migrant and Odin is an entirely Russian-developed system that has been tested extensively in practice. Eighteen months of operation have demonstrated its stability, flexibility, and convenience in a wide range of settings, from small examination sites to major testing centers.

We can see that a digital environment increases trust in examination results, establishes consistent standards, and makes procedures as transparent as possible. It is important to us that everyone involved, from candidates to testing center employees, can trust the results and know that examinations are conducted fairly and under equal conditions.

— How will the forum organized by TSU on November 21 encourage dialogue among specialists in Russian as a foreign language and language testing?

— Russia is currently developing a modern system for working with foreign citizens, encompassing everything from Russian-language education to examinations and subsequent integration into regional communities. Universities are playing an increasingly prominent role in this process. We are responsible for the quality of training, teaching methods, and assessment tools.

On November 21, TSU will organize a forum in Moscow dedicated to the development of Russian as a Foreign Language. It will bring together specialists in teaching Russian as a foreign language, directors of testing centers, teachers, university representatives, and EdTech companies.

What matters to us is that the forum combines methodological and practical aspects, from teaching Russian as a foreign language to modern digital technologies such as Flow-Migrant and Odin. This approach makes it possible to consider training and assessment as an integrated system that should be accessible, transparent, and modern.

We welcome dialogue and invite colleagues to join us. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss current challenges, share experience, and jointly determine how the field of Russian as a foreign language will develop in the coming years.

Background:

Flow-Migrant and Odin is a digital platform developed by specialists at Tomsk State University. It combines application submission, examination administration, video recording, and automatic assessment of test sections. All data is stored on servers located in Russia, and the platform is included in the Russian Ministry of Digital Development's register of domestic software. To date, more than 130,000 foreign citizens have taken examinations using the system, and the number of connected testing centers continues to grow.