He made this recognition at the UNESCO Centers Forum, organized by Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University.
On Wednesday, November 13, the opening ceremony of the International Forum "The Role of Engineering Education and Science in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals — New Challenges and Solutions" took place. Over 400 delegates, primarily representatives from various UNESCO institutes and centers, as well as rectors of leading universities worldwide from 65 countries, participated in the event.
During the plenary session, Mustafa Shefu, President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, delivered a special address. The association he leads includes around 30 million specialists from over 100 countries. Its primary goal is to work towards achieving the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, such as eradicating poverty and hunger, improving the quality of education, and ensuring free access for all to clean water and affordable energy.
«The decision to participate in this forum was not easy, considering all the contradictions in today’s world. However, I ultimately accepted the invitation, and I am very glad I came, as I have experienced genuine Russian hospitality here. But the main thing, of course, is not just that; it is that the world cannot do without Russian engineers, without Russian scientific thought, and without your vast expertise», - Mustafa Shefu said to the forum’s organizers.
He shared that he is the 17th president of the association, and one of its earlier leaders during the Soviet era was our compatriot Alexander Ilyinsky. Today, as Shefu emphasized, "the international engineering community needs Russia to return to a leading role within the World Federation." In this regard, he suggested that the host consider leading one of the federation's committees—focused on materials, minerals, and mining.
«Our committees are led by representatives from various countries—France, Zimbabwe, Peru, China. Why shouldn’t Russia stand alongside them? I am confident that this would accelerate the implementation of sustainable development goals. After all, where engineers and scientists work, crop yields increase, water becomes accessible, and illness rates decline. Scientific thought and its practical application always improve quality of life, which is exactly what we all strive for», - emphasized Mr. Shefu.
He also praised the work of the Mining University on enhancing the training process, currently underway as part of a pilot project at the institution. This initiative, in the opinion of the President of the World Federation of Engineering Organizations, could become one of the pillars of a future unified system for training specialists with higher technical education, implemented in many countries with transitioning economies.
