The Russian State University of Trade and Economics (RSUTE) has a long tradition as a provider of trade and economic education. The roots of the University go back to 1930 when the Soviet government established the All–Union Extra-Mural (Correspondence) Trade Institute. Its main mission was to train specialists for the country’s centralized distribution system. The Institute had branches in nearly all former Soviet republics. It all started with 200 students.
For many decades our university accounted for some 80% of all middle and high management personnel at trade firms, including high-flying positions at the country’s federal and republic’s ministries. Since 1930, our school has graduated over 200,000 students. RSUTE has always been the main institution of higher education catering specifically for the trade industry and has forged very close links in that field.
In 1990 the Institute underwent dramatic changes: the structure of the school and its curricula were radically reformed to meet the challenges of the fledgling market economy and the demand in market-oriented education. Full and part-time programs were introduced and given priority in the study process. That change brought about new types of courses, teaching methods, new teachers and students!
In 1990 the name was changed to the Moscow Institute of Commerce, and in 1993 we were awarded a university status. In 1995 we adopted the title Moscow State University of Commerce. In 2000 the University celebrated its 70th anniversary.
In 2002 the Moscow State University of Commerce was renamed the Russian State University of Trade and Economics.