Published on: 2026-10-07
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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In Pretoria, the “Days of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) in South Africa” are taking place. The program includes negotiations of the Russian delegation with representatives of the Universities South Africa Association (Universities South Africa — USAf) and government bodies of the country, South African universities, as well as participation in the 4th USAf conference “Co-Creating a Resilient Future,” dedicated to the future of higher education and the development of international partnerships.
The delegation of universities of the RAFU Consortium included representatives from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Southern Federal University, and Saint Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design. SPbPU was represented by Alla Mazina, head of the project office of the “Russian-African Network University” Consortium, and Tatyana Sytnikova, deputy head of the Department of International Education.
One of the key elements of the program was the negotiations of the Russian delegation of RAFU with representatives of specialized government agencies and the university community of South Africa. The meetings were attended by representatives of the South African Department of Science, Technology and Innovation — senior program manager for science, technology, and innovation Annelin Morgan and acting director for bilateral cooperation Cecil Masoka, as well as representatives of the South African Department of Higher Education and Training — director for global partnerships Mokgadi Rabothata and assistant directors for European direction and international scholarships Kgomotso Sekwale and Portia Sibandze.
From the Russian diplomatic mission, counselor-envoy Evgeny Sadikov, science attaché Viktor Vinogradov, first secretary Daria Pelyavina, and third secretary Polina Kulakova participated in the negotiations.
The parties discussed the development of cooperation between Russian and South African universities, joint educational and scientific projects, academic mobility, and opportunities to expand scholarship programs for South African citizens. Special attention was given to the development of postgraduate education—master’s and doctoral programs—as well as the strengthening of research and teaching capacities of South African universities.
Priority areas of cooperation were identified as space sciences, materials and mineral resource processing, biotechnology and bioinformatics, nuclear medicine, as well as digital technologies — artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and machine learning. These areas correspond to the scientific, technological, and industrial challenges of South Africa and can form the basis for joint training of specialists and implementation of research projects.
The Russian delegation also visited the University of South Africa — the largest university in the country and one of the largest universities on the continent. During the meeting, the Director of Internationalization and Partnerships at UNISA, Dr. Enjie Magabane, and the specialist in cooperation for internationalization and partnerships, Khomotso Mabusela, presented the university’s international activities and discussed opportunities for further collaboration with Russian universities within the framework of RAFU.
“RAFU Days in South Africa” continued with the participation of the Russian delegation in the 4th USAf conference “Co-Creating a Resilient Future.” The conference brought together university leaders, government representatives, researchers, students, businesses, and international partners. The main goal of the event was to find joint approaches to developing sustainable, inclusive, and timely universities.
USAf CEO Dr. Phetheve Matutu, addressing the conference participants, noted that the complex challenges facing higher education cannot be solved by universities alone. According to her, significant and long-term solutions require cooperation among universities, the state, businesses, public organizations, students, and international partners.
The complex challenges facing higher education cannot be solved by universities alone. Significant and long-term solutions require collaboration between sectors and disciplines, emphasized Dr. Phetheve Matutu.
At the opening of the conference, the Minister of Higher Education and Training of South Africa, Buti Manamela, addressed the participants. Before asking how resilient our universities are, we must first ask what exactly we want to preserve: access to knowledge for those who have historically been denied such opportunity, the society’s ability to understand itself, solve its problems, and envision a different future, the Minister noted.
The Russian delegation of RAFU participated in the work of three thematic sections. The participants discussed the reconsideration of the role of the university, the resource provision of universities, as well as the future of academic activity in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.
Representatives of RAUFA presented the experience of Russian universities and the consortium’s activities in the context of sustainable development goals in higher education. The discussion provided an opportunity to compare the approaches of Russian and South African universities to the development of educational and scientific activities, personnel training, innovation, and international cooperation.
The conference topic is directly related to the tasks set by the RAFU consortium. As the USAf organizers note, a modern university must not only adapt to changes but also participate in shaping the future — through knowledge, partnerships, and innovation. Among the key areas of the conference are academic innovations, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, sustainable financing, research development, student success, and the social significance of universities.
“RAFU Days in South Africa” continue systematic work on developing university partnerships between Russia and African countries. The participation of representatives of Russian universities in the USAf program and direct dialogue with the university community and government structures of South Africa create a foundation for new joint educational, scientific, and academic projects.
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