A retraining program for teachers from the Republic of Mali has been launched at Polytech

At Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, the professional retraining program "Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies" has been launched.

This program is implemented within the framework of strategic cooperation with the Republic of Mali and is aimed at training teaching staff for the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali (CIAR-Mali).

Previously, in 2025, the Polytechnic University led the project on reforming higher education for the Republic of Mali, as well as the development of the concept for creating the Bandiagara Polytechnic University.

The program was developed jointly with the Moscow Aviation Institute (MAI), whose representatives will teach the module "Mobile Robotics and Sensorics". The training is built on the active use of modern technologies and various simulators, which will allow participants to gain practical skills as close to reality as possible.

The course is delivered in a blended format (part-time and full-time). In autumn 2026, trainees from Mali will come to SPbPU for the in-person part of the training, where they will also get acquainted with the university's scientific and technological achievements.

The program begins with an introductory course, "Industrialization and Innovation".

The director of the Northwestern Interuniversity Regional Educational and Scientific Center "Polytech-Cyberphysics" and program supervisor, Vyacheslav Potekhin, emphasized: "The program participants will get acquainted with both the fundamental foundations and applied tasks of managing cyber-physical systems of any scale under conditions of high uncertainty caused by change requests and risks, as well as taking into account the influence of the project's organizational environment. One of the program's special features will be the acquisition of skills in developing new management tools and methods in the field of cyber-physical systems using artificial intelligence technologies and tools."

The training includes modules such as "Artificial Intelligence Technologies", "Industrial Artificial Intelligence", "Cyber-Physical Systems", "Industrialization and Innovation", and "Mobile Robotics and Sensorics".

The program's target audience is teaching researchers recently hired at CIAR-Mali, as well as experienced engineers and technicians wishing to undergo retraining or upgrade their qualifications in the field of AI and robotics.

"As part of its ongoing work on professional development of the teaching staff, CIAR-Mali is participating in the training program organized by the Polytechnic University. This module is the first in a structured six-month curriculum that combines face-to-face and distance learning formats. CIAR-Mali expresses its deepest gratitude to SPbPU for this invaluable support, which bears witness to the strength and depth of the academic partnership between our institutions. Upon completion of the program, our teachers will be better prepared to fulfill their mission, with updated competencies and great dedication. On behalf of the entire teaching staff of CIAR-Mali and the Ministry of Higher Education of Mali, I express my sincere gratitude to SPbPU for its significant contribution to the development of higher education in Mali," thanked the Director General of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali, lecturer and researcher at CIAR-Mali, Konaté Jacqueline.

The launch of this program marks another step in the development of Russian-Malian cooperation in the field of education. In 2024, specialists from the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali already underwent training at SPbPU as part of the RAFU Summer University.

The Vice-Rector for International Affairs of SPbPU, Dmitry Arsenyev, noted: "As the coordinator of the Russian-African Network University, the Polytechnic University sees its key mission not merely as the transfer of knowledge, but as building a long-term partnership based on mutual consideration of interests. We focus on jointly developing solutions that take into account the unique needs of the Republic of Mali and integrate into its national development strategy. The launch of this retraining program for teachers of the National Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics of Mali is an important step in this direction, allowing us to train highly qualified personnel capable of responding to contemporary challenges and ensuring the technological sovereignty of their countries."