Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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The third ceremony conferring the title "Ambassador of Russian Education and Science" was held at the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education. Minister Valery Falkov presented honorary badges to eleven foreign representatives, including two graduates of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. These included Liu Wei, Secretary General of the Institute of Russia at Tsinghua University (China), and Issa Togo, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mali in St. Petersburg and Associate Professor at SPbPU.
This award recognizes their long-standing work to strengthen the international standing of Russian education and science. The ambassadors' mission is to promote Russia's educational opportunities and scientific achievements at leading international venues.
Upon receiving the prestigious title, Liu Wei shared sincere and warm memories of her years spent in Russia: "It is a great honor for me to receive the title of Ambassador of Russian Education and Science. Developing Russian-Chinese cooperation in science and education is my ongoing mission, and I have been fortunate to serve as an envoy between our countries for nearly 25 years."
Liu Wei addressed special words of gratitude to her alma mater: "My 10 years of study at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University left an indelible mark on my life and laid a solid foundation for future collaboration. Here I gained not only knowledge, but also an understanding of a rich culture, great traditions, mentality, and profound insights. And since then, Russia has become not a foreign country for me, but a second home."
The work of both new ambassadors has been making a significant contribution to strengthening international ties for decades. Liu Wei has overseen scientific and technical cooperation with Russia since 2002. She actively developed human resources by organizing innovation dialogues, training courses for oil companies, student camps, and creating infrastructure projects such as language testing and standardization centers.
In his speech, Valery Falkov noted the growing role of ambassadors in developing inter-university contacts, increasing the number of joint projects, and growing interest in studying in Russia.
Currently, more than 414,000 foreign students from 184 countries are studying at Russian universities, and by 2030, the plan is to accept up to half a million foreign students, the minister said.
Active work is underway to achieve this: modernization of infrastructure, construction of new campuses, and the introduction of grant support that covers not only tuition but also accommodation and travel.
A 1985 Polytechnic University graduate, Issa Togo rose from the leader of the Malian community in Leningrad to the architect of Mali's higher education reform, serving as a member of the expert group establishing the new Polytechnic University. Today, as Mali's Honorary Consul in St. Petersburg, he coordinates a large-scale Russian-Malian project to build a hydroelectric power station that addresses issues of energy supply, water supply, and flood protection.
SPbPU is one of the founders and most active participants in the consortium implementing the "Ambassadors of Russian Education and Science" program. The Polytechnic University is proud that the contribution of its graduates to the advancement of Russian education and science has been so highly recognized, and now four Polytechnic University graduates have this honorary title.
Dmitry Arsenyev, SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs, praised the recognition of the graduates' achievements: Liu Wei and Issa Togo exemplify the deep integration of the best traditions of Russian education into the global scientific and educational space. Their long-standing, consistent work represents genuine diplomacy of trust, where each completed project becomes a building block in the edifice of mutual understanding between nations. We see them as strategic partners whose work directly contributes to strengthening the international prestige of Russian education and science. Awarding them this honorary title is a logical recognition of their role as champions of Russian educational standards and scientific achievements, whose work forms a solid foundation for future breakthrough joint projects.
Since the program's launch in 2023, 24 international experts have been awarded the title of ambassador. By 2030, the pool of ambassadors is expected to expand to 250 representatives from 60 countries, opening new opportunities for promoting Russian education and science on the global stage.
Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation
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