SFU implemented the RAFU Summer Multidisciplinary University

Students from Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt and Togo attended a rich historical, cultural and educational program from the South Federal University.

Within the framework of the RAFU Summer Multidisciplinary University, the Southern Federal University implemented two tracks: cultural and historical; educational - "Organization of ecological tours and excursions in protected natural areas".

The cultural and historical trek included a visit to Starocherkasskaya village, where students learned about the history of the Cossacks, tasted Don soup, swam on kayaks and even took a swim in the Don!

As part of their acquaintance with the best practices of organizing ecotourism, students visited the Botanical Garden of the Southern Federal University and visited the Southern Bird Park "Malinki." The project participants were surprised that the park is not a natural reserve, as in African countries, but was built only in 2016 by private investors.

In the "Russia—My History" museum, students immersed themselves in the era of the Romanovs. When it came to battles, they enthusiastically supported Russian soldiers and were proud of their victories.

The Summer University program included classes on the basics of designing ecological routes, regional problems of ecological tourism development, and opportunities for tourism development in specially protected natural areas.

To demonstrate that the knowledge about ecological tourism has been mastered, African students prepared projects of ecological tours in Egypt and Seychelles with a comprehensive assessment of their attractiveness for foreign tourists.

At the closing ceremony Sergey Goryainov, Director of the Institute of Tourism, Service and Creative Industries, and Herges Bola Reda Banoub, Rector's Plenipotentiary Representative in Africa and the Middle East and ITSCI teacher, presented all participants with certificates of successful completion of the program and mastering the additional general development program "Organization of ecological tours and excursions in protected areas" of the Southern Federal University.

"Thank you for the opportunity to participate in the Summer Multidisciplinary University! Participation in the project was a valuable experience for me in the field of ecological tourism. We are grateful to the Southern Federal University for excellent organization. Thanks to you we were able to get acquainted with the history and culture of Russia, as well as gain new knowledge and skills. We especially remembered the trip to Starocherkassk and Malinki South Park and, of course, all the classes on sustainable tourism," shared his impressions with project participant Morsi Mahmoud Sayd Gadalrab Sayd (Egypt).

"I didn't know anything about sustainable tourism, but I finished this program with new knowledge about the role of ecology in tourism. I discovered new places in the Rostov region. It was very interesting and informative, and I highly recommend my African friends to participate in this project next "year!"—summarized Gnoko Kudu Jazon Ange Eliakim (Côte d'Ivoire).