Russian Ambassador to South Africa speaks about professions in demand among South Africans in Russia

Currently, more than 200 South African citizens are enrolled in higher education programmes at Russian universities. This was reported by Roman Ambarov, Russian Ambassador to South Africa, in an exclusive commentary for TV BRICS.

According to him, students choose universities not only in Moscow and St. Petersburg, but also in Saratov, Tambov, and Astrakhan. The most sought-after specialties are medicine and engineering, as well as mathematics and computer science.

"Higher education obtained in Russia is valued even taking into account the fact that in a number of fields, confirmation of qualifications is required to work in South Africa after graduation," the diplomat noted, explaining that, for example, medical professionals need to take into account the specific geographical and climatic conditions of the African continent.

According to Roman Ambarov, some of the students who decide to study in Russia are co-financed by the South African Ministry of Higher Education and Training. One of the conditions is a commitment to return to their home country and work for a certain period of time after completing their studies.

Over the past five years, the number of foreign students in Russian universities has increased by 20 per cent. One in ten graduates from other countries stays to work in Russia. Universities train specialists who are in demand both in the country itself and abroad. Practice-oriented programmes allow many to start their careers immediately after graduation.

Russia's cooperation with African countries is developing in a number of key areas, including education and healthcare, trade, investment, geological exploration and mineral extraction, digitalisation, and security.

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