Polytechnic University held the 2rd International Scientific and Practical Conference of the Russian-African Network University

St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted the 3rd International Scientific and practical conference of the consortium «Russian-African Network University» (RAFU) named «Contribution of Russian and African universities to the sustainable development of the regions». The event was held in a hybrid format and became a platform for dialogue between representatives of more than 100 RAFU participating universities from 15 countries, ministries, embassies, Russian and African universities and research centers.

Polytechnic University, as the coordinator of the RAFU consortium, held a general meeting of RAFU member universities before the start of the conference, at which the results of the work for 2025 were summarized and plans for the future were outlined. Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, addressed the participants with a welcoming speech. He noted the dynamic development of educational cooperation and stressed the growth of state quotas for African students and the importance of creating permanent Russian language learning centers on the continent.

Dmitry Arseniev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU, Corresponding Member of the RAS, in his speech emphasized the role of RAFU as an effective platform for cooperation: RAFU has become internationally recognized as a platform for the development of Russian-African educational, scientific and cultural cooperation. Our task for the future is to saturate the consortium’s activities with real projects, joint educational programs and scientific research.

Presentations were made by representatives of universities and research institutes in Russia, Algeria, Morocco, Mali, Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria and other countries. Topics ranging from the development of artificial intelligence, agriculture and medicine to the social responsibility of universities, the study of the Russian language and the preservation of cultural heritage were discussed.

Welcoming remarks were made by Ousmane Mariko, Technical Adviser on Administrative and Institutional Issues at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali. He stressed that Mali ranks first among African countries in terms of the number of universities participating in the RAFU (27 universities), and many graduates of Russian universities work in the ministry itself. Mr. Mariko announced his readiness to send more than 30 Malian students to study in Russia next year, which indicates the dynamic development of the partnership within the consortium.

One of the key events of the conference was a speech by the Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, Pindi Hazara Chana, who noted her country’s long-standing and strong ties with Russia in the field of education. She gave an example of her own experience, having been educated in the USSR, and said that today more than 3,000 Tanzanians are graduates of Russian universities, and more than 100 students are currently studying in Russia.

The third RAFU Conference clearly demonstrated that the Russian-African Network University, coordinated by St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, has become a real tool for launching educational and scientific projects that promote sustainable development and strengthen partnership between Russia and African countries.

The speakers shared the best practices for promoting the Russian language and Russian education in Africa, developing joint educational programs, preparing African applicants for admission to Russian universities, and implementing advanced training programs for African university teachers. Many of the reports were applied in nature and presented the results of joint research projects. These are joint scientific projects in such important areas for African countries as geology, construction, meteorology, agriculture, alternative energy, medicine, construction, ecology and natural resource management.

The conference, which has already become a traditional annual event within the framework of the RAFU, has confirmed its importance as a discussion platform for discussing joint projects, scientific research, and the exchange of experience between universities in Russia and Africa.