Lumumba alumni gather for nostalgic 50th anniversary

In the latter part of 1970, a group of us left for Moscow on scholarships-young, eager, and filled with dreams.

- BY BRIGADIER M Z ISHRATH (RTD), MSC (AGRIC), DIP IN HRM

Five years later, in 1975, we returned home with flying colours. Today, more than half a century later, some of us remain active in our professions, many have retired, while a few have drifted away from contact-and sadly, some are no longer with us.

From the very first day we set foot in Moscow, our lives changed forever. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter and a turning point in our personal journeys. The initial days were challenging-adjusting to the harsh Russian winter, adapting to a new culture, and finding our footing in an unfamiliar land. Yet, the years we spent at the prestigious Peoples' Friendship University (then Lumumba University) with students from across the globe in the Soviet Union were nothing short of transformative.