A retraining program for faculty of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali is launching at Polytechnic University

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is launching an additional professional retraining program, «Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies.» 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 serves as the coordinator of the consortium of the Russian‑African Network University (RAFU) and has been leading this work for the third year. In 2025, the university, as the RAFU coordinator, headed the project for reforming higher education for the Republic of Mali, as well as the development of the concept for establishing the Bandiagara Polytechnic University.

The program has been developed jointly with Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), whose representatives will teach the module «Mobile Robotics and Sensorics.» The training is built on the active use of modern technologies and various simulators, which will allow participants to gain practical skills as close to reality as possible.

The course is delivered in a blended format (part‑time and full‑time). In autumn 2026, the trainees from Mali will come to SPbPU for the in‑person part of the program, during which they will also get acquainted with the university’s scientific and technological achievements.

The program starts with an introductory course, «Industrialization and Innovation,» after which the trainees will dive deeply into disciplines covering both the fundamental foundations and applied tasks of managing cyberphysical systems of any scale.

The program includes modules such as «Artificial Intelligence Technologies,» «Industrial Artificial Intelligence,» «Cyberphysical Systems,» «Industrialization and Innovation,» and «Mobile Robotics and Sensorics.»

The target audience of the program includes recently hired teaching researchers at CIAR‑Mali, as well as experienced engineers and technicians wishing to undergo retraining or upgrade their qualifications in AI and robotics.

The launch of the program is another step in the development of Russian‑Malian cooperation in education. In 2024, specialists from the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali already underwent training at SPbPU within the RAFU Summer University.