“Days of Russian Language and Culture” in Senegal

On 14 and 15 November in the Republic of Senegal, a delegation from SPbPU organized an educational and outreach event «Days of Russian Language and Culture», which is held within the framework of the Russian-African Network University Consortium. In July 2023, SPbPU became a coordinator of RAFU. This event is designed to popularize the Russian language, Russian education and culture on the African continent.

Alla Mazina, Deputy Head of the International Education Department, Viktor Krasnoshchekov, Director of the Higher School of International Educational Programs, and Issa Togo, Associate Professor of the Graduate School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering, held a number of business meetings to discuss future cooperation between Russian and African universities. They met with the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Education and Retraining at Fastef. At the meeting they discussed the creation of a center of languages: official languages (Russian, French, English), novel languages (Japanese) and national languages, as well as the possibility of implementing joint academic mobility programs.

«Russian Language Days» started with a visit to the Lyceum Blaise Diagne. The parties discussed possible formats of cooperation — a training program in the Russian language, preparatory faculty and participation in scientific and educational events. Thus, the lyceum intends to provide a building for the Russian Language Center. The project is planned to be implemented together with the Higher Polytechnic School of Sheikh Anta Diop University and SPbPU. A videoconference «Cross-Eye View» is also planned, where students of the two countries will tell each other about Russia and Africa. One of the important vectors of interaction is the retraining of Senegalese teachers at SPbPU and the organization of study visits for high school students who want to study in Russia.

More than 150 people wanted to learn about the history and traditions of Russia. The guests were shown presentations and videos about Russian education. The Senegalese schoolchildren got acquainted with educational projects they can take advantage of. They were also told about the culture and traditions of our country.

Irina Baranova, Director of the Center for Testing of Foreign Citizens in Russian Language, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy, Ekaterina Busurina, Associate Professor of the Higher School of International Educational Programs, Elena Komarova and Lyudmila Solovieva, senior teachers of additional education of the Higher School of International Educational Programs, prepared the program. It included a language master class «Russian is easy», a quiz «What do you know about Russia?», contests on painting matryoshka dolls and singing Russian songs.

The business program continued at Amadou Mahtar Mbow University in the presence of Dmitry Kurakov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Senegal and Gambia. At the meeting they discussed the possibility of Senegalese universities joining the RAFU consortium.

The Days of Russian Language and Culture were a great success and interest in Senegal and will continue in the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire. We invite universities to join the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) Consortium.