MPEI at the strategic meeting of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

On April 17, 2025 MPEI took part in the strategic meeting of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation dedicated to the development of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU). The meeting was held in the boardroom of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia. More than 50 universities participated in the event: RAFU participants, including Moscow State University, MGIMO, RUDN, RSUH and others. MPEI was represented by Anastasia Mashkova, Director on Integration Policy Development. She spoke about MPEI’s experience in cooperating with the African region through RAFU.

During the presentation, Anastasia Mashkova highlighted successful practices, key outcomes, and strategic initiatives implemented by MPEI in cooperation with African partners.

“In recent years, the university has established strong partnerships with leading organizations in Egypt, Algeria, and South Africa, and plans are underway to actively engage with colleagues in Mali. As part of this cooperation, joint programs are being carried out with the multidisciplinary RAFU university, including master classes and field initiatives. Our African partners show the greatest interest in training programs in electric power engineering and renewable energy”, Anastasia Mashkova noted in her speech.

In the scientific sphere, MPEI maintains active collaboration with African researchers: more than 90 joint research articles have been published in SCOPUS-indexed journals along with with partners from Egypt and South Africa alone.
Since 2022, MPEI has been actively working with the College of Engineering and Technology of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport under a formal cooperation agreement. The college is a key partner of MPEI within RAFU and serves as the African platform for the International Youth Conference on Radio Electronics, Electrical and Power Engineering (REEPE), organized by MPEI and led by the Department of Power Systems. The conference continues to attract strong interest from young researchers not only from Russia and the CIS but also from several countries across Africa and Asia.

In conclusion, Anastasia Mashkova emphasized that the African continent is a strategic partner not only in terms of educational outreach, but also as a platform for developing joint technological solutions in power engineering, engineering, and digital transformation.
Particular attention during the discussion of strategic issues was given to the RAFU Summer Multidisciplinary University, which has grown over four years from 100 to 300 participants and expanded its geographical reach from 10 to 33 countries. The program has shifted its focus from cultural and historical tracks to professional internships and advanced training involving industrial partners.

“Two years ago, at the Russia-Africa Economic Forum, the coordination of the RAFU initiative was handed over to the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Since then, the consortium has made a significant leap forward: today, it includes 90 Russian organizations, 45 African organizations, and 15 countries. The Summer Multidisciplinary University, now held for the fourth time, has become a key project. However, it is important to keep moving forward developing higher education programs, network formats, and joint degree programs”, Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, said.

Participants in the strategic meeting discussed initiatives to allocate quotas for African students within the framework of network programs, the significant role of the project in fostering cooperation with African countries, and proposals for further collaboration. These ranged from creating industry-specific modular training programs tailored to the needs of national power engineering companies to establishing joint laboratories and training facilities at African universities. Participants highlighted the importance of RAFU as an effective tool for cooperation, and suggestions were made to optimize the consortium’s operations to enhance its practical impact.
Summing up the meeting, Konstantin Mogilevsky proposed the creation of scientific laboratories at leading universities within the RAFU consortium to assess colonial damage. This project would strengthen the consortium's expert standing. The participants also agreed to hold regular meetings of the RAFU Presidium to develop strategic decisions, ensure operational planning, and strengthen partnerships with African countries.