Creation of the INTERNATIONAL CONSORTIUM OF TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES "Subsoil of AFRICA" will make it possible to increase the efficiency of training, first of all, of engineering personnel for the national economies of African countries by addressing the following tasks :

  • consolidation of intellectual, human, informational and other resources in order to develop proposals for the formation of public policies in the education system in Africa;
  • creation of mechanisms to improve the competence of teaching staff using the best Russian, African and world educational technologies;
  • formation of interest, positive image and demand for mining and related specialties and directions among young peopel in African countries;
  • coordination of positions and approaches to the development of educational projects in African countries, including at the government level of individual African countries and (or) regions;
  • strengthening co-operation in education, science and economic development between the countries of the African continent and Russia;
  • developing mechanisms for the development of academic and student mobility, as well as promoting intercultural dialogue and mutual enrichment of cultures and languages;
  • increasing economic integration between Russia and African countries through industrial projects;
  • expanding the channels of information exchange between Russia and African countries, strengthening the role of unifying elements.

The decision to create the Consortium was taken by the initiative group following the results of the International Forum «Nature Management and World Heritage Conservation» 02-04 December 2022 (more than 1,000 participants).

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Consortium took place on 26 July 2023 at St. Petersburg Mining University within the framework of the Russia-Africa Summit, which was noted in the strategic report of the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin at the opening of the Summit :

“The day before, an agreement on the creation of the Russian-African Consortium of Technical Universities ""Subsoil of Africa"" was signed at St. Petersburg Mining University. This document provides for joint training of specialists for the mineral resources complex. I think this is a very important and interesting area of co-operation," - Vladimir Putin

The RUSSIA-AFRICA SAMMIT is the most important and the largest event in Russian-African relations.

On 27 July 2023, as part of the business programme of the summit, panel discussions were held on "Cooperation in Higher Education in Modern Geopolitical Conditions" and " Fundamental Science as a Basis for Technological Sovereignty", where participants of the initiative group of the established Consortium "Subsoil of Africa" discussed the need to expand personnel training for priority sectors of the African economy and humanitarian sphere through the formation of joint research and educational centres in areas of mutual interest in science and technology, creation of new instruments for humanitarian cooperation. The session was moderated by Andrey Fursenko, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation.

Initiative group

RUSSIA

LITVINENKO
Vladimir
Stefanovich

Chairperson of the Governing Board of the UNESCO Centre Rector of Saint Petersburg mining university

ZIMBABWE

MANATSA
Desmond

Director of the Center for Education, Innovation and Research Development

SOUTH AFRICA

LUKAS
Sylvia Elizabeth

Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces

GHANA

TAWIAH
Samuel James Nii Adjei

Chief executive of the Municipal Asssembly Korle Klottey

NIGERIA

OCHEFU
Yakubu

Secretary General of the Committee of Presidents of Nigerian Universities

ZAMBIA

CHISALE
Paul

Rector, Copperbelt University

NAMIBIA

TWEYA
Tjekero

Chairman of the Committee on Natural Resources

MALI

LY
Hadi

Vice-President of the Association of Geologists "GEOPRIM"

Supporters

MURWIRA
Amon

Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology of Zimbabwe

OMAJI
Paul

Vice chancellor, Admiralty university of Nigeria

General secretary

YARVIS
Boipelo Shirley

Director of the investment company Yarvis Investments, RSA

The first constituent meeting of the Consortium will be held within the framework of the International Congress "Africa Seeks Solutions" at St. Petersburg Mining University from 10 to 15 December 2023. Up to 150 delegated representatives of leading technical universities from Africa will attend the meeting. Based on the results of the meeting, the following will be approved: Regulations, structure, governing bodies, financing, criteria and form of participation, etc.

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