President of the Democratic Republic of the Congo becomes Honorary Doctor of RUDN University

During the third “Russia–Africa” Economic Summit, President of Ghana John Dramani Mahama and President of Burundi Evariste Ndayishimiye also became Honorary Doctors of RUDN University.

RUDN University Rector Oleg Yastrebov said that this day would go down in the university’s history.

“Our university has a special connection with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Since 1961, RUDN University has borne the name of Patrice Lumumba, the first Prime Minister of this country, who became a symbol of the African continent’s struggle for independence. Today’s ceremony is an important sign of recognition of the President’s contribution to the development of education, scientific diplomacy and intercultural dialogue,” he said.

 

The Rector recalled that the university consistently implements a strategy to attract talented students from African countries. This year, following the visit of the President of Tanzania to RUDN University, the university became a partner of the Samia Scholarship presidential fund, and starting in October 2026, 10 Tanzanian students selected under this programme began their studies at RUDN University.

“Mr. President, we know that in your country, with the support of the First Lady, the Excellentia National Scholarship Support Programme is being implemented. It helps the best school leavers continue their education at universities in the Congo and abroad. RUDN University is ready to act as a reliable partner of this programme and, already next year, to admit 10 applicants on special terms,” Oleg Yastrebov said.

Currently, 77 students from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are studying at RUDN University, including 13 at the preparatory faculty, 41 in bachelor’s programmes, 18 in master’s programmes and 5 in postgraduate programmes. The most popular majors for DRC citizens are economics, construction, architecture and management. In total, since the university’s founding, it has trained 273 specialists for this country.

The President of the DRC thanked the university and the academic community for conferring on him the title of Honorary Doctor of RUDN University.

“Through me, you have thus recognized the work of our entire society, our entire history and our place in human progress,” he said. “To receive this title at a university in Moscow that bears the name of Patrice Lumumba is an amazing event for the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For Africa and our entire people, Patrice Lumumba remains a symbol of the struggle for freedom and honour. On June 30, 1960, he declared the desire of the Congolese people to live a free life. Since then, we have continued to defend our people’s right to a free future.”

Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo said that he was very happy about the connections and knowledge that students from the DRC receive in Russia.

“Universities bear special responsibility for maintaining dialogue and ensuring the exchange of information and data, and for developing young people. Those representatives of our state, Congolese citizens, who have studied and are studying here will, of course, use the skills and knowledge they have acquired,” he said.

The President of the DRC also addressed the students from his country who were present at the ceremony.

“We believe in you, but you must also remember that, in addition to knowledge, you receive obligations to use the skills you acquire for the benefit of our countries. Therefore, study, verify facts, look at situations from different points of view. Do not forget about your country,” he said. “The name of Patrice Lumumba, under whose auspices we have gathered today, is evidence that every generation can make its contribution to the development of its countries.”