To promote science and technical education in Uganda, Makerere University (MUK) is collaborating with several Russian universities and institutions.

This comes in the wake of several agreements for cooperation that MUK and other universities inked during the second Russian-African Economic and Humanitarian Forum. The forum took place on July 27–28, 2023, in Russia's second-largest city, Saint Petersburg, Russia.

The two-day gathering featured a summit of 17 African heads of state, including Uganda's Yoweri Museveni. In addition to the summit, sideline events, including those concerned with technology and agriculture, took place.

The vice chancellor of Makerere University, Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, said in an interview with New Vision on the sidelines of the summit that through the various sessions, he had been able to connect with numerous Russian universities and other organisations and sign agreements for knowledge exchange in a variety of programs with a primary focus on science and technical education.

“Russia is one of the most scientifically advanced countries from which we can actually learn. I have signed several agreements with institutions and organisations that do things like space exploration and agricultural practices, especially the fertility of soils,” he said.

Nawangwe added that he also succeeded in getting MUK and PhosAgro to sign a memorandum of collaboration for the exchange of information concerning soil fertility and best agricultural practices. 

According to him, this was not only a triumph for MUK but also advantageous for the entire agricultural nation of Uganda.

“We can exchange a lot of experience with our Russian colleagues and utilise the knowledge we get from them to advance our own science and promote development. For MUK, this is extremely important,” he added.

Russian to be taught at MUK

He said MUK was already working with Russia to help Ugandans learn Russian, particularly those who wanted to study and work in Russia.

“Now you can study Russian at MUK. We have already started that. They don’t have to study the language for a whole year in Russia before they can embark on their courses,” he said.

Nawangwe stressed that they also have a general understanding of the Russian government-owned St Petersburg University in Saint Petersburg City and are still discussing particular areas in which they can collaborate before signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU).

“We also have an MOU with Patrice Lumumba Friendship University in Moscow, Belgorod University, and Kemerovo State University in Siberia,” he added.

People attending Second Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum summit in St Petersbury, Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also announced during the summit that his country intends to open branches of its finest universities in Africa.

“The opening of campuses of leading Russian universities in Africa is in the works. Close cooperation with African educational institutions is also being established within the framework of the Russian-African Network University,” he said.

High number of African students 

According to Putin, at least 35,000 students from Africa study at Russian universities, a figure that is growing.

He stressed that the federal budget quota for Africans has increased 2.5-fold over three years and will amount to over 4,700 people for the next school year.

According to S.V. Andryushin, the vice-rector for international affairs at St Petersburg State University, Russia has long been interested in expanding educational cooperation with African universities, particularly those in East Africa.

“The intellectual potential of Africa is underestimated and has a huge prospect. In this connection, I see that one of the main tasks of St Petersburg State University is to take a leading position in the process. The presence of Russian education in the East African Region, I am sure, will be able to have a huge impact on world science in the future,” she said.

Through collaborative educational programs (student and staff exchanges), Rosafro Foundation also assists in coordinating East African universities, particularly those from Uganda, to St Petersburg State University's efforts, particularly in the medical field.

By pledging its support for the continent’s development, Russia is releasing Africa from its dependence on its colonial masters, according to Yonas Adeye Abeto, an associate professor of peace and security studies at Addis Abeba University.

“When you see the entire agenda, it is more dominant on how to make work in Africa, science and technology to transform Africa’s economic status, boost food sovereignty and of course sovereign development without compromising our culture, rather than going on one size feet on Western democracy,” he added.

He stressed that they expect new commitments from both Russian and African heads of state to work together

The deputy director general of Development Space Rocket Centre Progress in Russia, Daniil Subbotin, said they are ready to support African countries or private companies on the continent to develop space-related technology, through training their people, partnerships, and joint ventures.

Subbotin stressed that they currently have 100 African students enrolled at their Samara State University which provides hi-tech programs. 

The spacecraft and civil launch manufacturing facility also offers services for spacecraft control, data collection, and processing.