Published on: 2026-10-15
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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The IV International Scientific and Practical Conference of the consortium “Russian-African Network University” (RAFU) was held at the Patrice Lumumba Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship. Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University presented the consortium’s work results, including projects on the development of higher education in Mali, training of specialists, and implementation of practical engineering solutions.
The event was attended by representatives from more than 15 African countries, including Mali, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Morocco, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others. The conference brought together representatives from universities, diplomatic missions, government bodies, the expert community, and students. Topics discussed included the contribution of higher education and science to the sustainable development of African countries, training personnel for national economies, and the role of the Russian language in strengthening academic and cultural ties.
The opening ceremony was attended by the First Vice-Rector of RUDN University Yulia Ebzeeva, the Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo Ivan Vangu Ngimbi, the Deputy Head of Mission of Kenya Joseph Varui, the First Counselor of the Embassy of Gabon Rolland George Ontsugu, the First Secretary of the Embassy of Sierra Leone Rosetta Maieli Conte, and the Coordinator of Russian-Malian cooperation, Rector of the Higher School of Technical and Vocational Education of the Republic of Mali Yakuba Dau.
Yulia Ebzeeva noted that the conference has become a traditional platform for Russian-African dialogue, and language remains the most important condition for international interaction. Ivan Vangu Ngimbi emphasized the significance of language and culture in overcoming prejudices and strengthening mutual understanding between peoples.
A special place on the agenda was given to Russian-Malian cooperation in the field of higher education. Yakouba Dao thanked the Russian Federation for supporting the training of personnel and the reform of the republic’s higher education system. He noted the contribution of the President of RAFU, Rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudsky, to strengthening university ties between the two countries.
RAFU provides significant and consistent support for the reform of higher education in Mali. On behalf of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of our country, I express deep gratitude to Andrey Rudsky for his initiatives to strengthen university cooperation between Mali and Russia, — emphasized Yakuba Dau.
The significance of education for the country’s development was discussed by Issa Togo, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mali in Saint Petersburg, Ambassador of Russian Education, and Associate Professor at SPbPU. According to him, training specialists must meet the needs of the national economy, and cooperation with Russian universities opens opportunities for technology transfer, exchange of professional experience, and implementation of scientific research. The Russian language plays an important role in this process: for example, educational materials in the Bambara language help Malian students learn Russian and prepare for further education in Russia.
Building on the topic of Russian-Malian partnership, Alla Mazina, Head of the RAFU Project Office and Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department at SPbPU, presented the results of joint projects and spoke about the role of the Polytechnic in coordinating the consortium. One of the key areas of this work is supporting the reform of higher education in Mali. Together with the relevant ministries of both countries, a development concept for the system is being created, with nine priority areas identified, each assigned to a leading Russian university. Over six months, nine Russian universities have prepared 29 major educational programs for the Polytechnic University of Bandiagara.
Another practical outcome is the development of Mali’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. A nine-month professional retraining program is being implemented here, focused on applying the acquired knowledge. Among the initial developments is an automated mango packaging system, demonstrating how specialist training can contribute to solving specific production tasks.
These projects are part of a larger effort by RAFU, which SPbPU coordinates by combining the competencies of Russian universities and establishing cooperation with African partners. Today, the consortium includes more than 100 Russian universities, about ten research institutes (including six institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences), and 72 African universities. Among the results of its activities are more than 150 online courses in various languages and professional retraining of over 1,200 specialists from more than 30 countries over the past three years. In 2025, representatives from 37 countries participated in the programs.
After the plenary session, the conference work continued in four thematic sections. Participants discussed the status of the Russian language in Africa, the development of academic cooperation, career opportunities for African specialists, and pedagogical aspects of the Russian-African dialogue.
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