Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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A delegation from the Republic of South Africa arrived at the Polytechnic University on a working visit. The delegation included key representatives of government agencies in the field of science, technology, and innovation: Cecil Masoka, Acting Chief Executive Officer for International Bilateral Cooperation at the Department of Science, Technology, and Innovation (DSTI); Mohapi Mirranda Mmafehello, Assistant Director for Europe and the Middle East at DSTI; Majola Fikiswa Lizeka Mpumalanga, Deputy Director for Space Science and Technology at DSTI; Moyo Thandokazi Yvonne, Director General for Strategic Partnerships, Business Development, and Stakeholder Engagement at the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA); and Phahlamohlaka Mahlase Theuns, Bilateral Research Programs Specialist at the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The visit marked an important step in strengthening scientific and educational cooperation between the Polytechnic University, as the coordinator of RAFU, and its South African partners. During a meeting with Dmitry Arsenyev, SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs, and university representatives, the parties discussed a wide range of issues.
"For our university, developing cooperation with the BRICS countries, and particularly with South Africa, is a priority," noted Vice-Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev. "We have a solid foundation of successful projects and educational exchanges, and we see significant potential for expanding collaboration, primarily in the areas of joint research and training highly qualified personnel."
The talks focused on developing joint research projects in priority areas such as space technology, additive manufacturing, biotechnology, ecology and clean water, digital engineering, and new materials. The guests visited leading laboratories at the Higher School of Applied Physics and Space Technologies, the Digital Engineering laboratory at the PIS, and the laboratories at the Institute of Metallurgical and Metallurgical Engineering, where they were introduced to the cutting-edge scientific infrastructure and developments of the Polytechnic University's researchers.
The South African delegation praised the potential for cooperation: "We see tremendous opportunities for joint projects in science, technology, and innovation," emphasized DSTI Acting CEO Cecil Masoka. "We are particularly impressed by the research capabilities of the Polytechnic University, and we are interested in taking our partnership to the next level, focusing on areas such as renewable energy, biotechnology, and the development of engineering competencies at our universities. We are confident that this cooperation will make a significant contribution to the development of human capital in our countries."
Successful examples of past collaboration were noted, including a joint project won with the University of Venda as part of the BRICS-RFBR 2019 program, as well as the active participation of South African students in the Winter University in Engineering Sciences program. In 2024, 25 students from more than 10 South African universities participated in the winter school.
During the discussion, the parties outlined specific steps to expand cooperation, including the launch of joint educational programs, academic exchanges, support for doctoral programs through the international Olympiad "Open Doors: Russian Scholarship Project," and the implementation of innovative projects leading to the commercialization of research results. The parties expressed particular interest in the prospects for collaboration within the Russian-African Network University. The visit of the delegation from South Africa confirmed their mutual interest in strengthening and elevating the long-standing partnership to a qualitatively new level.
The South African delegation's official visit continued in Moscow, where the 14th meeting of the Joint Russian-South African Commission on Scientific and Technical Cooperation was held, chaired by Ksenia Trinchenko, Director of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and Cecil Masoka.
Maxim Zalyvskiy, head of the Russian-African Network University project office, participated in the commission's work. He presented a report entitled "RAFU and the Implementation of Interuniversity Scientific and Technological Projects between Russia and South Africa in Collaboration with Industrial Partners," presenting the results of RAFU's activities and outlining plans for a joint scientific and educational project with PhosAgro PJSC in South Africa.
South Africa is one of Russia's most important trade and economic partners in Africa. Cooperation with South Africa is also becoming strategically important in scientific and educational collaboration. In 2026, as part of the RAFU consortium's development, we plan to expand practical cooperation with our South African colleagues, including engaging Russian industrial partners in joint scientific, educational, and other projects, emphasized Maxim Zalyvsky.
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