Russia is expanding cooperation with Mozambique and Zimbabwe in the scientific and educational sphere

Russia continues to strengthen cooperation in the field of science and higher education with the countries of the African continent. Deputy Head of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia Natalia Bocharova visited the republics of Mozambique and Zimbabwe as part of the official delegation of the Chairman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko. To Maputo (Mozambique) Natalia Bocharova met with the Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education Daniel Nivagara.

During the meeting, Natalia Bocharova suggested that the Mozambican side consider joining the Russian-African Network University (RAFU), and also spoke about online preparatory courses in mathematics and physics for high school students and students.

Following the meeting, the Russian and Mozambican sides agreed to sign an interdepartmental memorandum on cooperation in the field of scientific, scientific, technical and innovative activities during the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Mozambican Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, scheduled for the third quarter of 2022.

In Harare (Zimbabwe) Natalia Bocharova held talks with AmonMurvira, Minister of Higher Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development of the Republic of Zimbabwe. During the meeting, Natalia Bocharova outlined the agreements reached during the fourth meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Zimbabwean Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. We are talking about the development of direct partnerships and the expansion of scientific and educational cooperation within the framework of RAFU, as well as updating the contractual framework of cooperation, including the conclusion of an agreement on mutual recognition of education.

Amon Murvira stressed the interest of Zimbabwean universities in joining the RAFU membership, and also noted the need to define bilateral cooperation programs within the framework of the consortium.

Following the meeting, the parties signed an interdepartmental memorandum on cooperation in the field of scientific, scientific, technical and innovative activities. The document defines the main forms and principles of bilateral cooperation, as well as areas for the development of cooperation between the organizations of our countries: technologies for the exploration and development of mineral deposits, environmental management, Earth sciences, ecology, satellite technologies and innovations, and others.

The first practical steps are planned to be implemented already in the third quarter of 2022 as part of a working visit to the Republic of Zimbabwe by representatives of Russian educational institutions of higher education to determine joint cooperation programs in the field of agriculture, mineral resources, exploration and other areas of cooperation.

Recall that last year Russia and Zimbabwe signed a memorandum of cooperation in the field of higher education. To date, 159 Mozambican citizens and 488 citizens of the Republic of Zimbabwe are studying at Russian universities.

Among the most popular specialties that students from Zimbabwe and Mozambique choose to study at Russian universities are agronomy, mechanical engineering, medicine, oil and gas, geology, electronics and nanoelectronics, ecology and nature management.