Mission

Creating a permanent platform for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the formation of a shared vision of the future of engineering education and technology among the youth of Russia and Africa. Contributing to stronger scientific and technical cooperation, friendship, and mutual understanding between countries.

Purpose and Objectives

Building a sustainable international network of future leaders in scientific and technological progress through research outcomes and the joint development of project solutions in engineering education and the raw materials economy aimed at advancing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and partnerships for sustainable development; integrating young professionals into the international professional community; and promoting sustainable development principles internationally in relation to the mineral resources sector, including support for UNESCO’s contribution to combating climate system disruption and preserving biodiversity.

Organisers

• International Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO at Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University
• The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation
• All-Africa Students Union (Africa)
• Consortium of Universities "Nedra" (Russia)

Partners:

• Association of African Universities
• The World Federation of Engineering Organizations, including the Committee on Women in Engineering
• Professional community «The Institution of Engineers of Kenya», including the Committee of Future Leaders of Kenya
• Federation of Africa Engineering Organizations
• The Nigerian Society of Engineers
• UNESCO Chairs
• UNESCO Category 2 Centres in African countries (Ghana, Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, etc.)
• Institute for African Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences
• National Association of Mining Engineers
• Senegalese Students Association
• African Students Association of Peoples' Friendship University of Russia
• Public Professional Association of Technical Universities in Africa «Consortium of Universities “Subsoil of Africa”»
• Major Russian and African companies — potential employers.

The working languages:

Russian, English (simultaneous interpreting)

Format:

Hybrid (in person + live stream of key events)

Priority “Africa”

SDG 4: Quality Education

Global Priority “Gender Equality”

International Cooperation

Event concept

The world is entering an era of technological redistribution where access to resources, both natural and intellectual, defines the contours of a new multipolar order. Russia and Africa have a unique complementary potential: the African continent is rich in mineral resources and has a young population, while Russia offers a strong engineering school and experience in developing highly complex territories. However, human resources sovereignty is impossible today without educational integration. The goal of the round table is to move from declarations of friendship to the creation of a shared engineering space between Russia and Africa. We must answer the main challenge: how to educate the engineer of the future who can work across cultures, jurisdictions, and technological paradigms while ensuring sustainable development (SDG 4) for both sides.

Focus

Harmonisation of Russia-Africa educational programmes. Implementation of SDG 4 (Quality Education).

Key questions:

• Pilot engineering education project
• Educational sovereignty without borders
• Profile of the engineer 2030
• Prospects for joint educational programmes and projects
• Summer schools: educational tourism or a startup incubator for joint projects?
• Nedra University Consortium as a leader in engineering education development
• Student diplomacy: an instrument of soft power or a real mechanism of influence on education?
• Youth policy for international students

What we will discuss:

During the round table, participants will formulate concrete steps to harmonise engineering education between Russia and African countries. We will review cases of pilot educational projects, discuss the problem of non-equivalent diplomas, and explore ways of creating a universal “engineer 2030 profile”. A separate section will focus on soft power tools: how student diplomacy, summer schools, and joint startups can shape a new technical elite capable of managing the resources of the future in the interests of sustainable development (SDG 4).

Key theses for discussion:

• Engineering education is becoming the main asset in the struggle for Africa’s resources.
• Human resources sovereignty is impossible without training elites for friendly countries.
• Summer school is a startup accelerator for international student teams.
• Nedra Consortium: from a university alliance to a continent-wide competence network.