Russia Expands Educational Influence in Africa with New Preparatory Classes
In recent years, Moscow has multiplied partnerships and study programs in Africa. According to the Russian news agency Sputnik, Russia has recently launched preparatory classes for top universities in three African countries: Ethiopia, Zambia, and Tanzania. Sputnik informs us that this project is led by Rossotrudnichestvo, a Russian federal agency, in collaboration with four federal universities: Saint Petersburg Electrotechnical University, Moscow Technological University Stankin, North-Caucasus Federal University in Stavropol, and Ural Federal University in Ekaterinburg. The first students have already joined the Russian cultural centers in the target countries, where the training takes place. The 10-month program includes intensive Russian language learning and a technical and engineering module, focusing on mathematics, physics, and computer science. The goal of this training is to enable students to integrate into an engineering cycle at one of the partner universities and consider a professional career. These initiatives show that Russia wants not only to exert its influence on the continent in terms of security and economy but also in higher education. It's worth noting that, in addition to this preparatory class initiative, Russian activity in the field of higher education in Africa has intensified in recent years. This is particularly evident in the creation of Russian university campuses in African countries. For example, the Federal University of Kazan in Egypt, the Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University, and the BioTech University in Botswana, among others.
