Open Education Center of SUSHPU — educational mission in Mali

In the summer of 2025, the teachers of the South Ural State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University (SUSHPU) spent three busy weeks in Bamako, the capital of the Republic of Mali.

Olga Kunygina and Larisa Shibakova, associate professors of the Department of Russian Language and Literature, worked at the Open Education Center of SUSUrGPU, located on the basis of the Institute of University Pedagogy in the capital. During this time, they organized and conducted classes in four groups of students, bringing together more than 200 students wishing to learn about Russian language and culture.

As part of the course, Malian students had a unique opportunity to familiarize themselves with the history, traditions, culture, and literature of Russia, as well as to learn the basics of the Russian language. The classes were intensive—students studied both before and after lunch, demonstrating a high level of motivation and desire for knowledge. "Each course has more than 50 students," Larisa Gennadyevna Shibakova shared. - The children show a great interest in learning Russian and dream of continuing their education in Russia," she noted.

At the end of the training, more than 200 participants received certificates confirming their knowledge and success in learning Russian. This trip was possible thanks to the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation and the My Story Humanities Support Fund.

In the fall of 2025, teachers from the South Ural State Humanitarian and Pedagogical University will conduct a similar educational mission to Senegal and Burkina Faso, where they will continue their work to strengthen cultural and educational ties and expand opportunities for the exchange of knowledge and experience between Russia and West African countries.

Such initiatives contribute not only to improving the level of language training of students, but also to the development of friendship and mutual understanding between peoples.