RUDN University Celebrates the 2nd Annual Swahili Culture Day: Bridging People through Language and Culture
The representatives from four diplomatic missions, including the Republic of Guinea, the Republic of Kenya, the United Republic of Tanzania, the Republic of Uganda, researchers and students from Moscow universities, as well as schoolchildren, attended the forum.
In his inaugural address, RUDN Rector professor Oleg Yastrebov, highlighted the university’s unwavering commitment to guide a new generation of specialists to embrace the boundless possibilities of their chosen domains еnriched by the profound gift of Swahili proficiency, covering the language mastery and translation skills.
With profound dedication, we have taken a decisive step forward by introducing a Swahili language course, offered free of charge to our most exceptional students. This endeavor stems from a deep recognition of the growing and urgent demand for experts in the field across international industries.
His Excellency Haba Niankoye, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Guinea warmly welcomed the attendees and wished success to all those studying the Swahili language.
Ms. Semeni Nandonde, First Secretary of the Embassy of the United Republic of Tanzania in the Russian Federation, passionately affirmed Tanzania’s steadfast support for RUDN noble efforts in promoting the Swahili language learning among Russian students. She reiterated her country’s enduring commitment to championing this initiative.
Thomas Edwin Williams, the President of the Association of African Students at RUDN University inspired those gathered to enhance their awareness of African culture and unique linguistic landscape, while learning the Swahili language that speaks to the soul of a vibrant and vast continent.
The research part of the event incorporated reports by distinguished representatives of Academia, youth scientists, and leaders of non-profit educational initiatives. Aslan Abashidze (RUDN Law Institute Director, Full Professor, Dr in Laws, member of the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights), Andrey Barinov (PhD in Economics, Junior Research Fellow at the Centre for Global and Strategic Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences), and Alexander Brumarov (founder and leader of AfrikaDa, Russia’s first school of African Languages) highlighted multifaceted treasures of Africa, its cultural and linguistic jewels that serve as living testaments to the continent enduring legacy.
The program of the event was adorned with heartfelt performances prepared by students and schoolchildren who are dedicated to learning Swahili at Moscow’s esteemed universities and schools. A theatrical parable in Swahily from students of the Russian State University of Humanities warned against selfishness through the story of a haughty tree. The audience was also captivated by passionate Swahili songs from MGIMO and RUDN students, as well as from schoolchildren of Moscow school № 1517 . Multilingual sketches about students’ life imbued the event with a true spirit of an international university.
We are delighted to participate in Swahili Day at RUDN University for the second year in a row. It is a wonderful opportunity to make new friends, share knowledge, and showcase our creative potential through the Swahili language.
Student communities from African countries supported the event with cultural exhibitions and stanning dancing performances.
Developing Swahili as one of educational tracks, RUDN University enriches a multilingual agenda in education, and fosters its belief in the transformative power of education.
The forum attracted over 400 representatives from 36 countries, including delegates from 16 Asian countries, experts from the nuclear industry, supporting and partner universities of Rosatom.
RUDN Institute of Environmental Engineering is hosting the winners of the Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards 2024 state scholarship program for the second time. The participants chose between 126 universities from 23 countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia. 25 best Indonesian students chose Russia and came to Moscow for the first time.
In the morning, the main building is always crowded, students rushing to their first class. Suddenly, there is a large group of smiling young people from Africa, very smartly dressed, wearing scarfs with two logos on them, one — a university logo and the other — an unfamiliar abbreviation JGC.