Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –
Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University continues to actively develop the activities of the consortium “Russian-African Network University”. Following the visit of Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky to Mali, Guinea and Ethiopia, the Malian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research asked for assistance in reforming higher education in the republic. The development of National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics and the creation of a concept for a modern polytechnic university in Bandiagara. For this purpose, an expert group was formed on the Russian side, which included representatives of SPbPU. Mali is represented by the country’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, rectors of leading universities and the director of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Sogoba Jacqueline Konate.
The second meeting of the working group on the implementation of agreements reached during the visit of the Russian delegation to African countries was held recently. The event was organized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.
It was attended by Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation Stepan Sokolov, Director of the Institute of African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences Irina Abramova, as well as representatives of SPbPU and other Russian universities. In an online format, the discussion was joined by Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev, Head of the RAFU Project Office Maxim Zalyvsky, Secretary of the RAFU Presidium, Deputy Head of the SPbPU International Cooperation Department Alla Mazina.
Active work is currently underway to agree on the final version of the intergovernmental agreement, including issues of mutual recognition of education and qualifications. This document will replace the existing procedures for hiring. Work is also underway to open Russian language and Russian education centers, promote the Russian language in Mali and Ethiopia, including holding Olympiads and cultural and educational events, Stepan Sokolov noted.
One of the key topics of discussion was assistance to the Republic of Mali in creating a network of regional universities, namely a modern polytechnic university of international level in the Bandiagara region.
Vice-Rector of SPbPU Dmitry Arsenyev presented a report on the activities of the expert group. He emphasized that on January 23, 2025, at the initiative of the Polytechnic University and with the assistance of the Honorary Consul of Mali in St. Petersburg Issa Togo, a meeting of the Mali expert group and the SPbPU working group was held.
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Mali, Bourema Kansaye, opened the meeting, noting that the main goal of reforming higher education in Mali is to transform higher education and scientific research into a driving force for the socio-economic development of the country.
However, as noted by the participants of the meeting, Mali faces a multidimensional crisis, including a shortage of human resources and a lack of specialists in key areas of knowledge. To address these issues, priority areas for the country in training and retraining personnel have been identified: artificial intelligence and robotics, energy and renewable energy sources, agriculture, geological exploration and extraction of raw materials, space technology and satellites.
Russian-African cooperation in the educational sphere continues to gain momentum, opening up new opportunities for the development of African countries.
The establishment of a university with an emphasis on training highly qualified personnel for the industrial, economic and social development of Mali, as well as the development of a scientific and technical base, is a strategically important step. Priority areas are agriculture, construction using local materials, environmental management, traditional medicine, pharmaceuticals, art, culture and sports. They not only meet the current needs of the country, but also create a solid foundation for its future. This approach ensures a harmonious combination of tradition and innovation, contributing to sustainable development and strengthening the sovereignty of Mali, – emphasized Dmitry Arsenyev.
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