Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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The St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted the 3rd International Scientific and Practical Conference of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) consortium, "The Contribution of Russian and African Universities to Sustainable Regional Development." The event, held in a hybrid format, provided a platform for dialogue between representatives of over 100 RAFU member universities from 15 countries, ministries, embassies, Russian and African universities, and research centers.
Before the conference, the Polytechnic University, as the coordinator of the RAFU consortium, held a general meeting of RAFU member universities to review their work for 2025 and outline future plans. Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, addressed the participants with a welcoming address.
He noted the dynamic development of educational cooperation: "The consortium has expanded significantly over the past three years. It currently includes over 100 Russian and 68 African organizations from 16 countries. This year, 17 organizations from Mali joined—this is the result of your recent working trip."
Sokolov also emphasized the increase in state quotas for African students and the importance of creating permanent Russian language study centers on the continent.
In his speech, Dmitry Arsenyev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at SPbPU and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized the role of RAFU as an effective platform for cooperation: RAFU has become recognized internationally as a platform for developing Russian-African educational, scientific, and cultural interaction. Our goal for the future is to enrich the consortium's activities with real projects, joint educational programs, and scientific research.
Presentations were given by representatives of universities and research institutes from Russia, Algeria, Morocco, Mali, Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria, and other countries. Topics discussed ranged from the development of artificial intelligence, agriculture, and medicine to the social responsibility of universities, Russian language studies, and the preservation of cultural heritage.
Ousmane Mariko, Technical Advisor for Administrative and Institutional Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali, delivered a welcoming speech. He emphasized that Mali ranks first among African countries in the number of universities participating in the RAFU (27 universities), and that the ministry itself employs many graduates of Russian universities. Mr. Mariko proposed sending over 30 Malian students to study in Russia next year, demonstrating the dynamic development of the partnership within the consortium.
One of the key events of the conference was a speech by Pindi Hazara Chana, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, who noted her country's long-standing and strong ties with Russia in the field of education. She cited her own experience, having received an education in the USSR, and reported that today, more than 3,000 Tanzanians are graduates of Russian universities, and more than 100 students are currently studying in Russia.
Alla Mazina, Secretary of the RAFU Presidium and Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department at SPbPU, spoke about the practical work within the consortium.
In her report, she highlighted two major projects of the year: In addition to the Summer Multidisciplinary University, which in 2025 brought together 315 students from 37 countries, a key event was supporting the reform of higher education in the Republic of Mali. An expert group of nine Russian universities from the Russian Federal University of Russia (RAFU) developed 29 core educational programs in priority areas for Mali.
The 3rd RAFU conference clearly demonstrated that the Russian-African Network University, coordinated by St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, has become a tangible tool for launching educational and scientific projects that promote sustainable development and strengthen partnerships between Russia and African countries.
The speakers shared 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 professional development programs for African university faculty. Many of the presentations were practical in nature and presented the results of joint research projects. These joint research projects cover areas of importance to African countries, such as geology, construction, meteorology, agriculture, alternative energy, medicine, ecology, and natural resource management.
The conference has already become a traditional annual event As part of the activities of the Russian Federal University of Agriculture, it confirmed its importance as a discussion platform for joint projects, scientific research, and the exchange of experience between universities in Russia and Africa.
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