Promoting Academic Mobility and the Russian Language: RUDN Welcomes Delegations from China and South Africa

Focus on medicine, AI, and molecular chemistry

During the visit, RUDN Rector Oleg Yastrebov and President Gao Song discussed the scientific potential of both universities and explored prospects for expanding academic cooperation.

“We are open to cooperation in any field of study at our university!” noted Oleg Yastrebov at the meeting.

Both parties expressed their interest in signing a memorandum, particularly for developing academic mobility. They identified medicine, artificial intelligence, environmental studies, molecular chemistry and mathematics as priority areas for future cooperation. These disciplines are among RUDN’s internationally recognized strengths. The universities also discussed plans to establish joint laboratories and launch collaborative research grant programs.

In his turn, Rector of Peking University noted that RUDN is a great example of successful internationalization of universities. He also invited Oleg Yastrebov to take part in the Rectors’ Forum in China this autumn. At the end of the meeting the counterparts exchanged commemorative gifts, among which were a book about Moscow, the RUDN Honorary Medal, and a red tea set. Dmitriy Atyakshin, Director of RUDN Scientific and Educational Resource Center, presented a unique painting to Gao Song. The painting is based on a new technique for staining cells and tissues. The artwork was accompanied by original poetry specially translated into Chinese.

The delegation was given a tour of RUDN’s main campus, visiting the main hall, the indoor garden with turtles and sturgeon, the conference hall of the Law Institute and the university’s public services center.

Today, RUDN cooperates with 96 Chinese universities and jointly implements 18 educational programs. More than 2,500 Chinese students study at RUDN, making them the largest international student community at the university. Around 700 of them are PhD students who will become the scientists of the future.

Another high-level visit

Shortly after the visit from Peking University, RUDN welcomed a delegation from the National Council of Provinces of the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, headed by Chairperson Refilwe Maria Mtsweni-Tsipane. The parties discussed cooperation with South African universities, paying particular attention to promoting the Russian language, training specialists for priority sectors of the economy, expanding academic exchanges, and joint educational programs and research projects.

RUDN University has been cooperating with the Republic of South Africa since 1960. During this period, the university has prepared more than 350 specialists for the country, including 148 graduates who got education as part of the Free State Province governmental order.

Today, RUDN university has cooperation agreements with Stellenbosch University, the University of Pretoria, the Durban University of Technology, and the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Together we develop programs of academic mobility, joint research and Russian language teaching projects. This year, RUDN faculty members are teaching students at UNISA, while approximately 240 students attended open Russian language classes at Tshwane University of Technology.