Moscow Automobile and Highway State Technical University holds the distinction of being Russia’s oldest higher education institution focused on the automotive sector and the broader field of transport infrastructure, including road, bridge, and airport construction. Its history is a testament to the country’s commitment to developing world–class engineering and transportation expertise that serves both urban and regional development.
The university was founded by a decree of the Council of People’s Commissars of the USSR, numbered 748, on December 13, 1930. It emerged from the road department of the Moscow Institute of Railway Engineers and the Higher Road School of TsUDORTRANS, combining experience in road engineering with advanced technical instruction to form a dedicated center for education and research in transport infrastructure.
Since 2010, the institution has been known as the Moscow Automobile and Road Construction State Technical University, abbreviated as MADI. Over the years, more than 800 professors and teachers have contributed to its mission, including around 100 doctors of sciences and about 500 candidates for science, creating a robust scholarly community that blends research with hands-on learning. The university continues to expand its reach through collaborations with road infrastructure organizations in Moscow and the surrounding regions, ensuring students gain real-world insight alongside theoretical grounding.
Today, MADI offers education across 32 specialties and prepares graduates who become bachelors, masters, engineers, and managers. The university maintains strong ties with the road infrastructure sector, helping graduates transition into impactful roles in public and private projects, research institutes, and government agencies. The institution also serves as a source of inspiration for professionals who contribute to the development and modernization of transportation networks nationwide.
Among the university’s notable alumni is Alexander Vinogradov, editor of the magazine Behind the Wheel. He brings firsthand industry perspective to the broader university ecosystem and exemplifies how MADI graduates go on to influence automotive media, policy discussions, and road safety initiatives.
Graduated from MADI
Alexander Vinogradov, editor of the magazine Behind the Wheel:
For Vinogradov, MADI represents more than just an education. It is a significant part of his life story. He recalls deciding to pursue studies there as a sixth grader, a choice that set the course for a career that bridges engineering, journalism, and public discourse about transportation. His experience extended beyond classrooms to hands-on projects like Formula Student, a competition that blends engineering design with teamwork and real-world testing. He makes it a point to participate in the annual MADI rally, an event that underscores the university’s vibrant campus culture and its connection to the wider automotive community. Perhaps most importantly, MADI helped him build lasting friendships that endure decades after that first September. His heartfelt reflection ends with a birthday wish for the university, celebrating its lasting impact on his life and on the field of transport engineering and media.
Vote – win Lada!
Participation in the Behind the Wheel Grand Prix vote helps identify the standout car novelties of the year. The process invites feedback from students, alumni, and readers who follow automotive trends and road transport innovation. In appreciation for time spent, the survey offers a raffle, with prizes drawn among completed responses. The promotion encourages broad participation and reflects the university’s ongoing engagement with its community.
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