Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On August 27, as part of the international forum for technological development "Technoprom-2025", a joint meeting of the Academies of Sciences of Russia and West African countries "Russia – Sahel: Dialogue of Academies of Sciences" will be held. Such an event is being held for the first time in the history of modern Russia. Its participants will be the heads of the Academies of Sciences of three countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger; the Russian side will be represented by Sergey Aldoshin, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Irina Abramova, Director of the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; RAS academicians – Chairman of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences Valentin Parmon and Rector of NSU Mikhail Fedoruk; Dmitry Savelyev, member of the Committee on International Affairs of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
The main goal of the meeting is to formalize scientific cooperation, exchange experience in the institutional development of academies, and discuss the possibility of implementing joint research initiatives in priority areas for the Sahel states: agriculture, water resources, medicine, renewable energy, and peaceful nuclear energy.
— In the current foreign policy context, the development of institutional ties between the Russian academic community and scientific institutions in African countries, primarily the member states of the Confederation of Sahel States (CSAS): Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, is of particular importance. These countries have recently begun to more comprehensively develop their own systems of science and higher education. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have young academies of sciences that were created several years ago. Knowing the 300-year history of the development of the Russian Academy of Sciences, they are interested in partnership with us, which will help them coordinate the direction of development of their own scientific sphere, — commented Natalia Krasovskaya, Director of the Center for Public Diplomacy.
The joint meeting will feature Pako Sereme, President of the National Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters of Burkina Faso; Adama Traore, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Mali; Yenikoye Alhassan, President of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Niger; and the ambassadors of these republics will also take part in the event.
— Development of cooperation with West African countries in the educational and scientific spheres is one of the important areas of international activity of Novosibirsk State University. In 2024-2025, we have already signed agreements with Thomas Sankara University (Burkina Faso) and Abdou Moumouni University (Niger). Together with the Russian House in Niger, we launched a preparatory department for medical and biological training, and also opened online courses in Russian language at Thomas Sankara University in Burkina Faso. In addition, our university plans to organize scientific internships for young scientists and master's students from Burkina Faso lasting 3-6 months. We are also negotiating with the University of Saint Dominic (USDAO) from Burkina Faso on joint training of medical personnel, — said NSU Rector, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Fedoruk.
Among the issues planned to be discussed at the meeting:
1. Exchange of scientific personnel, organization of internships for members of African national academies in Russia.
2. Creation of joint scientific laboratories and research centers in the fields of agriculture, water resources, medicine, renewable energy, and in the field of peaceful use of nuclear energy.
3. Participation of African scientists in Russian grant and research programs.
4. Promotion of Russian citation indices and the RAS “white list” as an alternative to the Western model.
5. Implementation of the regional-industry principle of functioning of the academies of sciences of the ACS countries, as the most successful model that has proven itself in Russia.
6. Assistance in the formation of highly qualified personnel for fundamental research in the ACS countries.
The result of the meeting will be the establishment of a regular dialogue between the Academies of Sciences with the Sahel countries and the signing of agreements between scientific institutions of these countries, the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation and the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
.