The event was inaugurated by Alexander Fyodorovich Berdnikov, Executive Secretary of the Russian-African Club at Lomonosov MSU. He highlighted the Club’s active participation in various initiatives, notably its involvement in promoting the establishment of the Museum of African Cultures in Moscow, scheduled to open between 2026 and 2027.
A welcome address was delivered by Dr Vladimir Viktorovich Kochetkov, Head of the Department of Social Global Processes and Youth Work at the Faculty of Global Studies. Dr Kochetkov emphasised the significance of the telebridge in fostering closer ties between Russia and the Republic of the Congo. He noted the growing number of Congolese students in Russian universities and reaffirmed that Russian educational institutions remain open and welcoming to students from African nations.
Empowering African Graduates and Youth
Louis Gouend, Director of the Commission for Diaspora and Media Relations of the Russian-African Club, expressed optimism about the increasing involvement of African graduates from Russian universities in collaborative projects spanning education, science, and youth development.
Ivan Shalov, representing the Education and Science Department of Rossotrudnichestvo, reported a surge in demand for Russian education among Congolese applicants. Registration for study quotas is already underway, with medicine and pharmaceuticals being the most sought-after disciplines. Interest in engineering programmes has also seen notable growth in recent years.
The Role of the “Russian House” in Brazzaville
Maria Albertovna Shakhurutdinova, Director of the “Russian House” in Brazzaville, shared insights into the centre’s activities. She praised the dedication of the Congolese team supporting the Russian House, united by their enthusiasm for Russian culture and education. Many Congolese graduates of Soviet and Russian universities now occupy influential roles in government and industry. A prominent example is Jean-Claude Gakosso, the current Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Congo, who graduated from Leningrad State University in 1983 and continues to identify as a “Leningrader”.
Shakhurutdinova also highlighted the growing demand for qualified teaching staff, particularly Congolese philologists trained in Russia to teach Russian as a foreign language.
Building Networks and Preserving Legacy
Michel Ngebana Duke, Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation in Pointe-Noire and Deputy Chairman of the World Coordination Council of Russian Compatriots Living Abroad, proposed the creation of a graduate database. He stressed that such a resource would be invaluable for organisations and enterprises engaged in Russian-African cooperation.
This proposal was supported by Ondaï Otsouma Jean Pierre, a postgraduate student and Best Graduate of RUDN University in 2025. As a member of the Advisory Council on Youth Affairs in the Russian Federation, Jean Pierre presented a historical overview of Russian-Congolese relations dating back to the Soviet era. He underscored the vast opportunities available to Congolese youth through educational and professional collaboration with Russia.
Long-Term Educational Partnerships
Inga Anatolyevna Koryagina, international development expert at UNDP and Associate Professor at the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, delivered a comprehensive report on Russian-African educational cooperation. As Director for International Cooperation of the Russian-African Club, she outlined the growth trajectory and strategic formats of long-term partnerships in the education sector.
Addressing Food Security Challenges
The telebridge concluded with a compelling presentation by Georges Romain Zobo, researcher and educator, on global food security. He cited alarming statistics indicating that over 820 million people worldwide suffer from undernourishment, with the majority residing in Sub-Saharan Africa. Zobo analysed the root causes of food shortages in the Republic of the Congo and neighbouring countries, offering practical solutions to mitigate the crisis.
