YuSU student aroused international interest with his speech at the III Forum "Russia-Africa: What's Next?"

Nkumbu Silungwe, a third-year student of Yugra Polytechnic School, spoke at the III Forum "Russia-Africa: What Next?", traditionally hosted by MGIMO. The YuSU student presented a report "Building a Bridge between Africa and Yugra".

During his speech Nkumbu presented to the forum participants the experience of foreign students from African countries (Zambia, Ghana, Egypt), their role in the life of the okrug, as well as their extensive activities to adapt compatriot students and attract foreign applicants. The author's thorough research revealed useful information about both the main difficulties for international students, such as the freezing weather and the difficulty of the Russian language, and the positive aspects, such as the friendly environment and numerous diverse activities.

- In the course of our research we came to the conclusion that as more and more students from all over the world come to Russian universities for education, more attention should be paid to their cultural adaptation. Cultural differences pose a major challenge for international students. In our case, the African community is making every effort and organising various events and festivals that help them adapt to Russian culture and help Russian students get to know African culture," said Nkumbu.

The result of the speech was a call to come to study in Yugra, one of the most accessible, comfortable and promising regions of Russia, to which the participants responded with loud applause and also asked additional questions.

We would like to add that the Third International Forum "Russia - Africa: What Next?" gathered almost 1.5 thousand participants - representatives of 42 countries (Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania, etc.). Among the guests of honour were the ambassadors of Tunisia, Guinea-Bissau, delegations from South Africa, Algeria, Madagascar and Rwanda, Russian politicians, scientists and diplomats. At present, 29 intergovernmental agreements on the recognition of education, 20 interdepartmental memoranda and 25 intergovernmental agreements on cooperation in science and higher education are in force with African countries. Another 32 draft documents on co-operation are under consideration.

According to the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, over the past year the number of Russian participants in the Russian-African Network University Consortium (RAFU) has increased from 54 to 63, and the number of African participants from 11 to 31. A number of activities are planned within the RAFU framework for 2024: the Third RAFU Summer Multidisciplinary University, the organisation of a round table at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and on the margins of the BRICS Summit "Strengthening Multilateralism for Equitable Global Development and Security", as well as expanding cooperation with North African countries and working on opening an information centre in one of them.