The agreement on the establishment of the community of technical universities "Subsoil of Africa" was signed the day before at the St. Petersburg Mining University of Empress Catherine II. Its goal is to reduce the deficit of national engineering personnel, as well as to develop the mining and processing industry.
On Thursday, July 27, the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum kicked off in the city on the Neva River. Its plenary session was opened by Vladimir Putin, who noted that our country "represented by official circles, business and the public is sincerely interested in further deepening of multifaceted trade, investment and humanitarian ties with the continent". The Russian President also referred to education as one of the spheres capable of bringing mutually beneficial partnership relations to a new level.
"The day before, an agreement on the establishment of the Russian-African consortium of technical universities "Subsoil of Africa" was signed at the St. Petersburg Mining University. This document provides for joint training of specialists for the mineral and raw materials complex. I think this is a very important and interesting area of cooperation," Vladimir Putin assessed the prospects of the new community.
He also assured the audience that Russia "is going to continue to help African friends in developing not only higher but also secondary education." In particular, to train teachers and technical personnel for schools and colleges, to establish joint educational institutions, "for which adapted teaching materials are already being developed on the basis of a synthesis of Russian and African national educational programs". In addition, the President proposed to create schools on the continent to teach subjects in Russian.
"I am sure that the implementation of such projects, the introduction of high educational standards of our country will lay the best foundation for further mutually beneficial equal cooperation," Vladimir Putin emphasized.
Rector of St. Petersburg Mining University Vladimir Litvinenko, commenting on the significance of the memorandum on the establishment of the community of technical universities "Subsoil of Africa", which was signed by representatives of 10 countries, called the availability of competent engineering personnel the basis of the sovereignty of any state.
"Real sovereignty, i.e. the right to independently determine the vector of its development, both within the country and in the international arena, can be achieved only if the state is able to monetize its natural capital without the help of intermediaries. Only in this case, the proceeds from subsoil use can be directed to projects that contribute to improving the quality of life of the citizens of this country. If the management of resources is external, the main rent will go abroad," said Vladimir Litvinenko.
It should be noted that the Rector of the Mining University is taking part in the business program of the first day of the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum.
