Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A delegation from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, led by Patrice Lumumba's daughter, Juliana, visited RUDN again. This time, Patrice's grandson, Kahi Lumumba, was among our university's honored guests.
Juliana's Russian relatives
The guests were given a tour of the university grounds and taken to the RUDN Museum. Alexander Gladush, director of the museum and exhibition complex, told the delegation that Nikita Khrushchev initiated the creation of our university and that Charles Didier Kitenge, Patrice Lumumba's assistant secretary, was among the university's first students. He studied general medicine. Several decades later, his son, Chibwila Kitenge, also graduated from the university's medical faculty.
Alexander Dmitrievich also told the delegation that in various Russian cities there are streets named after the first prime minister of the independent Democratic Republic of the Congo. And in the past, a double-deck riverboat, the "Patrice Lumumba," sailed along the Ob River in Siberia. Juliana, in turn, shared that her uncle, it turns out, studied in Moscow, has a Russian wife and Russian relatives, and speaks Russian. He now lives in London and is over 90 years old.
To the temple of knowledge for a dissertation
After visiting the museum, the delegation went to meet with RUDN University Rector Oleg Yastrebov. Kahi Lumumba signed the Book of Distinguished Guests. The parties discussed expanding cooperation. According to Juliana Lumumba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is interested not only in joint educational collaboration but also in joint scientific research. Furthermore, it was revealed that Patrice Lumumba's daughter has decided to enroll in graduate school at RUDN University.
"I call your university nothing less than a temple of knowledge. And after my first visit here, I thought it over and realized that at 70, I want to become a graduate student and defend my dissertation at RUDN University on the topic of 'Russian-Congolese Relations from the 1960s to the Present: Prospects and Possibilities,'" says Juliana Lumumba.
Oleg Alexandrovich replied that Ms. Juliana could consider herself already enrolled at our university. Regarding collaboration with the DRC in the field of scientific publications, the RUDN rector suggested initially focusing on research in the field of artificial intelligence.
"This is a promising direction, which I believe we should actively pursue," says Oleg Yastrebov.
Oleg Alexandrovich also told the guests that on the day of the delegation's visit, a themed train was launched in honor of RUDN's 65th anniversary, adorned with a portrait of Patrice Lumumba.
Advice for students
Immediately after their conversation with the rector, the guests met with students from the DRC studying at our university. The students expressed their gratitude to Juliana for the opportunity to meet and asked the key question: "What can we do for our country in the current challenging global and domestic environment?"
"My father fought for our country's independence, for its resources to be ours alone. Your most important task is to get a good education, because it is you who will make decisions after us and shape the future of the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Juliana Lumumba.
At the end of the visit, we had the opportunity to speak with Patrice Lumumba's grandson, who shared his impressions of RUDN.
"Visiting the university that bears my grandfather's name is a great honor for me. I am overwhelmed with pride, gratitude, and happiness. I was very impressed by the scale of RUDN University and the fact that you can meet young people from all over the world here. And, of course, I was touched by the statue of my grandfather—it's wonderful to know that thousands of students of different nationalities pass by it every day, absorbing its values within the university's walls," said Kakhi Lumumba.
Patrice Lumumba's grandson remarked that he greatly enjoyed the tour of the RUDN University Museum, where he and Juliana were told about the university's history and presented with an old pennant and rare badges issued in honor of the university's past anniversaries. He also wished the students there wisdom, the development of their talents, and their application in the future for the benefit of their countries.
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