MPEI expands cooperation with the Republic of South Africa

Representatives of the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation visited MPEI.

The delegation was led by Deputy Minister Mrs. Nomalungelo Gina, a South African politician who has represented the African National Congress in the National Assembly since 2009. Having served as Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry for 5 years, Nomalungelo Gina has been Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation since June 2024.

The delegation from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation also included Shongwe Sthembile Lindiwe, Assistant Deputy Minister, Nkadimeng Selwayne Duke, Senior Staff Member.

MPEI was represented by Alexander Tarasov, Vice-Rector on International Relations, Sergey Shirinsky, Head of External Relations Department, Elena Gulicheva, Director on International Relations, and Anastasia Mashkova, Director on Integration Policy Development were present.

The program of the visit included a presentation about MPEI, demonstration of the GOELRO museum, the main academic building, and the stand of honorary doctors and professors. Also, guests were given a tour around Hydropower and Renewable Energy Sources Institute (IHRE), Electrical Power Engineering Institute (IEPE), including the Center of the National Technological Initiative “Technologies of Electric Power Transportation and Distributed Intelligent Energy Systems” (NTI), as well as Military Training Center, where the guests were told about military training, introduced to aviation equipment and demonstrated the performance of “landing gear retraction and release” on the Su-27 aircraft.

As part of the discussion of cooperation issues, it was emphasized that MPEI actively participates in the BRICS Network University, coordinating the “Energy” direction, and annually takes part in the general conferences and meetings of the BRICS NU. They also noted the successful participation of MPEI students in the All-Russian competition for the scholarships of the President of the Russian Federation for study abroad in 2024/2025 academic year. According to results in 2024, the winners will be sent to the North-West University (South Africa). During the meeting, both parties agreed to exchange young scientists and Ph.D.-students for the benefit of the development of the power engineering sector in the two countries.