“RAFU Days” conclude in Morocco
«RAFU Days,» organized by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University as the coordinator of the Russian‑African Network University (RAFU) consortium, have concluded in Morocco. The program included three key events: participation of six Russian universities at a joint collective RAFU booth, RAFU Day at Hassan II University, and open Russian language lessons for prospective students.
At the largest educational exhibition, Le Forum International de l’Étudiant in Casablanca, the joint RAFU booth was visited by Vladimir Sokolov, Director of the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Casablanca and Advisor to the Russian Embassy in Morocco. He highly appreciated the presentation of educational programs offered by Russian universities and confirmed the Russian House’s interest in further facilitating the development of academic exchanges between Russia and Morocco.
RAFU Days continued at Hassan II University. The delegation of Russian universities met with the university’s leadership to discuss prospects for cooperation, possible areas for developing joint bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs, continuing education programs, and academic mobility. This was followed by a meeting of the RAFU universities with students and faculty of the university, during which the Russian universities presented their institutions and, in particular, master’s degree programs for undergraduate students interested in continuing their studies in Russia. A large number of questions from Moroccan students confirmed the immense interest of Moroccan students in Russian universities and Russian education. Representatives of the Polytechnic University Alumni Association in Morocco took part in RAFU Day.
The next event was an open Russian language lesson at the Polytech‑Global Russian Language Center for Moroccan prospective students, organized jointly by SPbPU and RUDN University.
The event was attended by Dmitry Mezhaurov, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Casablanca. In a conversation with representatives of SPbPU, RUDN, and Lobachevsky University (UNN), issues of Russian language study by Moroccans for admission to Russian universities, as well as prospects for humanitarian cooperation, were discussed.
The Consul General noted that preparatory departments in Russia provide complete immersion in the language environment and stricter academic discipline, which accelerates language acquisition. At the same time, he emphasized the demand for Russian language centers within Morocco itself — for those who have already decided to study in the Russian Federation, as well as for members of mixed families who need Russian for everyday communication. The head of the diplomatic mission expressed his readiness to fully support the Polytech‑Global Center, which creates an authentic Russian environment in the kingdom.
SPbPU and RUDN will provide the Polytech‑Global Center with comprehensive methodological support for high‑quality Russian language acquisition by Moroccans, primarily for the subsequent placement of talented students for education in the Russian Federation.