SPbPU at the “RAFU Days” in South Africa: New Directions of Russian-South African Cooperation

The «Days of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) in South Africa» are taking place in Pretoria. The program includes negotiations of the Russian delegation with representatives of the Association of Public Universities of South Africa (Universities South Africa — USAf) and state structures of the country, universities of South Africa, as well as participation in the 4th USAf conference «Co-Creating a Resilient Future,» dedicated to the future of higher education and the development of international partnership.

One of the key elements of the program was the negotiations of the Russian RAFU delegation with representatives of relevant state structures and the university community of South Africa.

The parties discussed the development of interaction between Russian and South African universities, joint educational and scientific projects, academic mobility, and opportunities for expanding scholarship programs for citizens of South Africa. Special attention was paid to the development of postgraduate education — master’s degree and doctoral programs, as well as strengthening the research and teaching potential of South African universities.

The priority areas of cooperation identified were space sciences, materials and mineral processing, biotechnology and bioinformatics, nuclear medicine, as well as digital technologies — artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and machine learning. These areas correspond to the scientific, technological, and industrial tasks of South Africa and can become the basis for joint training of specialists and implementation of research projects.

The Russian delegation also visited the University of South Africa — the largest university in the country and one of the largest universities on the continent. During the meeting, the African side presented the areas of the university’s international activity and discussed opportunities for further interaction with Russian universities within the framework of RAFU.

The «RAFU Days in South Africa» continued with the participation of the Russian delegation in the 4th USAf conference «Co-Creating a Resilient Future.» The conference brought together university leaders, government representatives, researchers, students, business, and international partners. The main task of the event is to find joint approaches to the development of sustainable, inclusive universities that meet the challenges of the time.

USAf CEO Dr. Phethiwe Matutu, addressing the conference participants, noted that the complex challenges facing higher education cannot be solved by universities alone. According to her, meaningful and long-term solutions require cooperation among universities, the state, business, public organizations, students, and international partners.

The Russian RAFU delegation took part in the work of three thematic sections. Participants discussed rethinking the role of the university, resource provision for universities, as well as the future of academic activity in the context of the development of artificial intelligence.

RAFU representatives presented the experience of Russian universities and the activities of the consortium in the context of the tasks of sustainable development of higher education. The discussion became an opportunity to compare the approaches of Russian and South African universities to the development of educational and scientific activity, personnel training, innovation, and international cooperation.

The theme of the conference is directly related to the tasks that the RAFU consortium sets for itself. As the organizers of USAf note, a modern university should not only adapt to changes but also participate in shaping the future — through knowledge, partnerships, and innovation. Among the key areas of the conference are academic innovation, digital transformation and artificial intelligence, sustainable financing, development of research activity, student success, and the social significance of universities.

The «RAFU Days in South Africa» continue the systematic work on developing university partnership between Russia and African countries. The participation of representatives of Russian universities in the USAf program and direct dialogue with the university community and state structures of South Africa create the basis for new joint educational, scientific, and academic projects.