Rector of Moscow State University announces the creation of the Russian-African University Association

Russian-African University Association will allow for more cooperation and exchange of experience. Its creation was announced by Viktor Sadovnichy, Rector of Moscow State University, at a meeting of the MSU Russian-African Club. He also spoke about another initiative - the formation of an alliance of African and Russian university rectors.

"The Rector's Corps is a great force in cooperation. Everyone understands it. Everyone was talking about it today. That is why we are pleased to add to the array of ties that we have had with other countries this array, which is very dear to us, - cooperation with African states," said the Rector of the Lomonosov Moscow State University.

The focus is on the cultural or humanitarian aspects of relations between countries. The Russian authorities discussed them with diplomats from as many as 30 African states. Entrepreneurs and experts shared their views.

"Senegal has a plan for accelerated development of the state. Transforming the economy is a priority for us. Under this plan, vocational education - on the one hand, technical and scientific education on the other hand - will become an integral part of our educational system," said Jean-Baptiste Thiathie Tine, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Senegal to the Russian Federation.

There are over 25,000 students from Africa in Russian universities today, the club was told at a meeting. One suggestion is to open up online access to study materials from Russian universities to African youth. Cooperation in the field of education often continues in other sectors, including the economy, which contributes to the integration of states, several experts say.

"I believe that the BRICS countries have a particularly high potential for cooperation in the field of education. This is important enough for joint business projects between the bloc's countries. We have special relations with many BRICS countries. In the future, we hope to join this association," said Nazih Ali El Nagari, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation.

The Russian authorities support cooperation with African countries in the field of education - for example, the quota for students from Africa for the academic year 2023/2024 has been increased.

According to experts, the possibility of receiving education in one's native language would increase the popularity of Russian universities in Africa. The number of their branches on the continent needs to increase. Other suggestions were also made during the meeting.

The Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry has proposed bringing together professionals from Africa who have studied in Russia - hundreds of thousands of graduates over decades. The Peoples' Friendship University of Russia supported the idea of such an association.

"Our task is first of all to bring together graduates of Russian and Soviet universities in order to mobilise all the potential that students and postgraduates from African countries have gained so that they can realise this potential in the practical field in their home countries," stressed Konstantin Anastasiadi, chairman of the commission for foreign economic cooperation with partners in Sub-Saharan Africa at the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The Russian-African Club was established at MSU in 2022. Earlier, participants discussed the creation of an African museum in Moscow and media cooperation. Plans include a forum for Russian and African journalists and roundtables on food security and climate change.

Photo: TV BRICS