RUDN regional cluster in Zambia complex development
Copperbelt University hosted a number of meetings and round tables on joint projects promotion. The two universities already have a cooperation agreement, and during the meeting RUDN Engineering Academy and Copperbelt Engineering faculty signed a program of joint events, e.g. training students, academic mobility programs and joint research. In particular, the parties discussed a Master’s program «Technology of Thematic processing of Satellite Remote Sensing Data for Industries, Agriculture and Efficient Nature Management» that will train specialists for Earth Remote Sensing National Center in Lusaka starting from February 2018.
Major companies-employers of Zambia – TAZARA and Zambian Railways – got interested in RUDN cluster because they need highly qualified staff. A number of Russian technical universities are planning to join the project.
Representatives of the RF Embassy in Zambia, Rossotrudnichestvo and the Ministry of higher education of Zambia held negotiations on further cluster development. Industrial development is priority area and the state supports all related initiatives.
On the agenda was also the role of the Russian language in Zambia. Due to the growing number of Russia-Zambian projects the country will need more Russian-speaking specialists. RUDN is planning to open the Russian language Center and specialized classes at Copperbelt University.
Other large Zambian companies (Toyota Zambia, ZESCO and Kafue Steel Plant) also expressed interest in the cluster and RUDN International Employers’ Club and are ready to employ graduates and take students for internships and practice.
10 profile officers of the Korle Klottey Municipal Assembly from the city of Accra (Ghana) are being trained at the school "Solid Waste Management and Circular Economy" of the Institute of Environmental Engineering of RUDN University.
RUDN University is to train 100 specialists in Agronomy and Ecology for Ghana at the request of its industrial partner, the Jospong Group, which unites 60 companies. The number of trained personnel will amount to over 600 within 5 years. The fields of study which are of interest to the partner include Agronomy, Information Technology, Applied Nature Management, Ecology. The company is ready to pay for travel, accommodation and scholarships for these students. RUDN University will accept students within preferential rights.
The delegation of the Republic of The Gambia led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Mamadou Tangara visited the Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Members of the delegation met with Rector Oleg Yastrebov and the staff of the Agricultural and Technological Institute of RUDN University, went on a tour of biotechnological laboratories and a laboratory for studying soils chemical composition and properties.