Development of the Russian-African Network University

The Polytechnic University continues to actively develop the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) project. It coordinator of this project was appointed in 2023. On 19 March, a meeting was held in Moscow, attended by Dmitry Arseniev, Vice-Rector for International Activities of SPbPU, Maxim Zalyvsky, Head of the RAFU Project Office, Alla Mazina, Deputy Head of the International Education Department, and Ksenia Trinchenko, Director of the International Cooperation Department of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education. During this meeting, SPbPU presented the plan of RAFU activities for 2024 within the framework of the state assignment.

The Head of Department noted the success of the efforts made by the Polytechnic University in coordinating the consortium and the high quality of changes made in the organisation and conduct of activities within the framework of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU). She also expressed confidence that the university will continue to expand the range of RAFU participants on the African continent, while stressing that the Ministry is ready to support the initiatives of the consortium in the implementation of the main activities.

The Vice-Rector for International Activities of SPbPU, in his turn, expressed his gratitude for the trust, effective interaction andx support in organising events within the consortium. He also mentioned the participation in the World Youth Festival 2024, where the strategic session "Russian-African Network University: International Cooperation" was held and where RAFU member universities presented their advanced developments.

The parties agreed on further coordination of RAFU activities between the project office and the Department of International Cooperation, and approved the RAFU consortium work plan for 2024.

On the same day representatives of the Polytechnic University met with the Egyptian Cultural Attacheé Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Elserghani in Moscow on the initiative of the Egyptian side. At the meeting the current trends in the Russian-Egyptian co-operation in the field of education and science were discussed, and the RAFU activity was presented. Mr. Elserghani expressed confidence in the increasing interest of Egyptian students in Russian education, especially in engineering, IT and biomedical specialities. The parties also discussed the possibilities of creating joint network programmes at the Master's level and establishing an information centre of SPbPU and RAFU in Egypt.

The establishment of joint network programmes and an information centre in Egypt could enhance the prospects for knowledge and experience exchange between the universities. We hope that these fruitful initiatives will bring many positive results and the Russian-Egyptian cooperation in education and science will reach a qualitatively new level," Dmitry Arseniev summed up the meeting.