The RAFU Summer University for Representatives of Mali on «Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies» has begun at the Polytechnic University

At Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, the in-person stage of the professional retraining program "Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies" has started within the framework of the Multidisciplinary Summer University of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU). The participants are 15 representatives of Mali. This program is aimed at training teaching staff for the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali (CIAR-Mali).

The delegation was led by the Deputy Director General of CIAR-Mali, Danioko Fadaba. At the Polytechnic, the representatives of Mali were welcomed by Vice-Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Cyber-Physical Systems Management Vyacheslav Potekhin, and Honorary Consul of the Republic of Mali in St. Petersburg, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Hydraulic and Power Engineering Construction of the Institute of Civil Engineering, Issa Togo.

"One of the key tasks of our university is to train highly qualified specialists capable of responding to modern challenges and contributing to the development of science and technology. I am confident that studying at the Polytechnic University, becoming familiar with modern laboratory infrastructure, and leading educational practices will allow the program participants to expand their professional competencies and use the experience gained for the further development of Mali's educational system. We expect that the program will become the foundation for strengthening professional and academic ties between our universities and for implementing joint educational and scientific initiatives. I wish the participants successful studies and new professional achievements, and I hope that the experience gained at the Polytechnic will become an important stage in the development of cooperation between Russia and Mali," Dmitry Arsenyev welcomed his colleagues.

The in-person stage of the program includes the modules "Artificial Intelligence Technologies," "Industrial Artificial Intelligence," "Cyber-Physical Systems," and "Industrialization and Innovation." The participants will become acquainted with the Polytechnic's laboratory facilities and the university's educational and scientific projects.

As part of the program, the representatives of Mali will visit the SPbPU Supercomputer Center and take part in a conference dedicated to artificial intelligence in education.

"I am convinced: for education and science to develop, universities must actively participate in this process. The transformation of Mali's higher education system, with the participation of SPbPU and the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, opens up opportunities for students to adopt the Polytechnic's experience, and education becomes not only theoretical but also connected to the real economy. We are very glad that you are here. The knowledge you gain will help you develop and respond to the challenges of the times," emphasized Issa Togo.

Danioko Fadaba noted the importance of cooperation with the Polytechnic for the development of CIAR-Mali: "We are a young center taking our first steps in this field. It is a great honor for us to be here at the Polytechnic University. Our goal is to create an independent system that will allow us to move forward with confidence."

The Russian-African Network University includes 27 universities of Mali. The Polytechnic's cooperation with Malian partners has continued since 2017, when an agreement was signed between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Mali and SPbPU.

In September 2024, a delegation from the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali already took part in the RAFU Summer Multidisciplinary University at the Polytechnic. 

The training of Mali's representatives at SPbPU is aimed at developing engineering education and the country's research potential, as well as strengthening cooperation between Russia and Mali in the field of high technologies. The participants will be able to use the knowledge and competencies gained at the Polytechnic in developing educational programs and projects of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali.