Belgorod State National Research University (BelSU) at the meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission — Teaching Russian Language in Namibia

The 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Namibian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation took place in Windhoek. The Russian part of the commission is chaired by Yury Trutnev, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation – Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District. The Namibian part of the commission is chaired by Selma Ashipala-Musavyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia.

Belgorod State University was represented at the meeting by Nikolay Tsybulya, Vice-Rector and Director of the Department of International Cooperation, as part of the delegation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

Cooperation between Belgorod State University and one of Namibia's leading universities, Welwitchia University, has been ongoing since 2025. Having signed a partnership agreement, Belgorod State University prepared a short-term Russian language course for Namibian students. Studying under the guidance of experienced instructors from NRU BelSU inspired the first students at Welwitchia, and therefore the universities decided to strengthen their collaboration.

During the negotiations, Nikolay Tsybulya and representatives of Welwitchia University, led by Acting Rector Professor Marius Hedimbi, discussed opportunities to expand the Russian language study program in Namibia. In their dialogue, the universities agreed on their positions regarding how to more effectively organize distance learning of the Russian language and reach a wider audience.

"Partnership with Belgorod State University allows us to expand access to international opportunities through language exchange, cultural exchange, and also contributes to advanced scientific research between Namibia and Russia," reads a statement from Welwitchia University regarding the outcomes of the meeting.

The results of the negotiations have been documented: a clause on joint support for the development of cooperation between Welwitchia University and NRU BelSU in the field of promoting the Russian language has been included in the Protocol of the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.

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