Published on: 2026-06-24
Source: Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University of Peter the Great –
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At the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, an additional professional retraining program “Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies” is launching. The program is implemented within the framework of strategic cooperation with the Republic of Mali and is aimed at training teaching staff for the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali (CIAR-Mali).
SPbPU acts as the coordinator of the consortium of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU). In 2025, the Polytechnic headed the project on the reform of higher education for the Republic of Mali, as well as the development of the concept for the creation of the Polytechnic University of Bandiagara.
The program was developed jointly with the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), whose representatives will teach the “Mobile Robotics and Sensorics” module. The training is based on active use of modern technologies and various simulators, which will allow students to acquire practical skills as close to reality as possible.
The course is offered in a part-time blended format. In the fall of 2026, students from Mali will come to SPbPU for the on-campus portion of the program, where they will also familiarize themselves with the university’s scientific and technological achievements.
The program begins with an introductory course “Industrialization and Innovation.”
The director of the North-West Inter-University Regional Educational and Scientific Center “Polytech-Cyberphysics” and the program head Vyacheslav Potekin emphasizes: “Program participants will become familiar with both fundamental basics and applied tasks of controlling cyber-physical systems of any scale under conditions of high uncertainty caused by changes and risks, as well as taking into account the influence of the project’s organizational environment.”One of the features of the program will be acquiring skills in developing new tools and methods for managing cyber-physical systems using artificial intelligence technologies and tools.
The training includes modules such as “Technologies of Artificial Intelligence,” “Industrial Artificial Intelligence,” “Cyber-physical Systems,” “Industrialization and Innovation,” “Mobile Robotics and Sensorics.”
The target audience of the program is teachers-researchers recently hired at CIAR-Mali, as well as experienced engineers and technicians wishing to undergo retraining or upgrade their qualifications in the field of AI and robotics.
As part of its ongoing work to improve the qualifications of the teaching staff, CIAR-Mali is participating in a training program organized by the Polytechnic University. This module is the first in a structured educational program lasting six months, which combines in-person and remote learning formats. CIAR-Mali expresses its deep gratitude to SPbPU for this invaluable support, which testifies to the strength and depth of the academic partnership between our institutions.Upon completion of the program, our teachers will be better prepared to fulfill their mission, possessing updated competencies and high dedication. On behalf of the entire teaching staff of CIAR-Mali and the Ministry of Higher Education of Mali, I sincerely express gratitude to SPbPU for the significant contribution to the development of higher education in Mali,” said the General Director of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali, lecturer and researcher at CIAR-Mali, Konate Jacqueline.
The launch of the program became another step in the development of Russian-Malaysian cooperation in the field of education. In 2024, specialists from the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali have already completed training at SPbPU within the framework of the Summer University of RAFP.
The Vice-Rector for International Activities of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev noted: The Polytechnic University, as the coordinator of the Russian-African network university, sees its key task not just as the transfer of knowledge, but as building a long-term partnership based on mutual consideration of interests. We focus on jointly developing solutions that take into account the unique needs of the Republic of Mali and integrate into its national development strategy.The launch of the retraining program for teachers for the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Mali is an important step in this direction, allowing us to train highly qualified personnel capable of responding to modern challenges and ensuring the technological sovereignty of their country.
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