Rossotrudnichestvo Talks about the Prospects for International Cooperation in Education and Science

Rossotrudnichestvo conducts outreach efforts to promote higher education in Russia and strengthen the position of the Russian language abroad. Thousands of successful graduates of Soviet and Russian universities – outstanding public and political figures, top-notch specialists, and leaders are a prime example of the quality of higher education in Russia and the relevance of professional knowledge and skills it provides. Let us talk about the meetings of international graduates of Soviet and Russian universities and the prospects for international humanitarian cooperation.

Rossotrudnichestvo carries out its activities aimed at consolidation of the large community of international graduates worldwide hand in hand with Russian partner universities of the Agency. Such comprehensive efforts to support educational and inter-university cooperation, civil society, the youth, academic community, business and non-profit organizations promote the interests of the Russian Federation and some regions through humanitarian and educational interaction.

The Forum of International Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities – Representatives of the Education Systems of Middle Eastern and African Countries organized by Rossotrudnichestvo in Egypt (Cairo) on December 17-18, 2022 is one of the most important events in this area. This forum that brought together more than 150 graduates on one platform outlined a priority for the development of cooperation in education and science and technology, its importance and prospects for all participants.

The Forum brought together the heads and staff members of the universities in Middle Eastern and African countries, representatives of national education authorities, executive committees of the associations of graduates from 15 countries of the region such as Egypt, Zambia, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, the Republic of the Congo, Syria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Ethiopia, and the Republic of South Africa as well as the representative delegations of 30 Russian universities and Rosatom State Corporation.

The plenary meeting and roundtable discussions addressed the development of cooperation in the sphere of education, training of local personnel according to the current needs of national economies, and joint research areas. The lively discussion showed that the parties’ interest in the development of interaction is really great and can have a lot of positive effects, including training of highly qualified specialists, development of their own scientific and technological potential, expansion of humanitarian cooperation and related strengthening of cross-national awareness and tolerance.

The first Forum shows that such events help establish direct contacts with stakeholders, discuss urgent issues of sharing experience in education and science, and enhance efforts to train local personnel through bilateral programs and agreements. That is why Rossotrudnichestvo is planning to develop these practices and is elaborating upon the possibility of organizing such regional events on a regular basis biennially.

The two major events are to be held before the end of 2023:

• The Forum of International Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities – Representatives of the Education and Healthcare Systems of Asian Countries is to be held in Vietnam on October 3-4, 2023
• The Forum of International Graduates of Soviet and Russian Universities  – Representatives of the Education and Healthcare Systems of African Countries is to be held in Tanzania on November 7-10, 2023