From Knowledge to Action: The Forum of International Alumni of Soviet and Russian Universities in Tanzania has become a History

Team of the St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University «LETI» together with the Federal Rossotrudnichestvo Agency brought together more than 100 representatives of the education and healthcare systems from eleven African countries at the Dar es Salaam venue.

On October 7-8, 2025, the Forum of International Alumni presented the multi-format program offering diverse opportunities for exchanges and personal capacity building.

Program of the second Forum Day included a variety of events aimed at consolidating the professional communities of Russian graduates for subsequent joint projects, and focused on their professional development in the two key areas: «New Technologies in Education» and «New Technologies in Healthcare».

Within the knowledge-refresher program, lecturers from the St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University «LETI», the Obninsk Institute of Atomic Energy, the National Research Nuclear University «MEPHI», Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology «Phystekh» presented their innovative educational programs in the most sought-after modern specialties.

The education sessions included master classes and interactive lectures on technologies in education, healthcare and medicine, which can be relevant for further joint projects.

«As shown by the Forum discussions, the topic of applying and commercializing research and technological projects is extremely interesting for our African partners. It should be noted that the advanced professional education program was of great interest to the forum participants, even though the lecturers from SPbGETU «LETI» conducted classes on such science-intensive topics as digital and additive technologies in medicine and healthcare, and the use of laser technologies for research and production. There is no doubt that the African audience's interest in engineering disciplines taught at SPbGETU «LETI» will ensure an influx of motivated students and PhDs to our university».

According to the lecturers who conducted the program for Russian alumni, the technological solutions found during the student engineering projects often bring solutions of complex commercial and production tasks at a relatively low cost, and the knowledge gained by students finds direct practical applications. For example, the use of 3D printing for the production of implants, which significantly reduces the time and financial costs in industrial projects.

Researchers and lecturers from the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, the Obninsk Institute of Atomic Energy presented the latest R&D projects and facilities using non-energy nuclear technologies, as well as integration of full-scale simulators into the educational process – the solution which reduces the time required for professional adaptation in real business.

The Forum conference program was concluded by a final roundtable discussion «The Role of Alumni Associations in Developing Cooperation with Russia in Education and Healthcare for Economic Development» where the Forum's results and activities were summarized and promising areas for collaboration were identified.

«Today, Africa is seeking effective and high-tech solutions. The Forum has opened up new opportunities for the implementation of advanced Russian technologies in the industrial and educational sectors, and alumni of Soviet and Russian universities play a crucial role in this process. They can provide practical models for integrating technological solutions into their countries' economies».

«The forum has provided me with many useful contacts and ideas for further cooperation. I believe that it is necessary to create a digital platform that will unite associations of graduates of Russian universities, for example, in Namibia, and Russian universities. Such a platform could become a tool for implementing joint projects in the field of digitalization, such as digital services and advanced technologies in Namibia. Both working graduates of Russian universities and students currently studying in Russia could participate in these initiatives».

«This is the second time I am participating in the Forum. The first time I came alone, but this time we came as a group of four from South Africa. It was very important for us to meet with the associations of other African countries and our Russian colleagues. First of all, we were interested in new opportunities for cooperation in the fields of education and healthcare. I believe that the Forum's program schedule was very busy, and we didn't have much time to discuss what we had heard. However, we did manage to grasp the essence of the discussions that took place during the Forum. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time to exchange opinions and come up with consolidated solutions. On the other hand, we will have ample opportunities to utilize the established connections for further joint actions. Overall, it was a great event, and I would like to wish the Forum further growth, and we will definitely participate in it».

During the two Forum days, a number of business, educational, and cultural events were held, with the main goal of developing cooperation between educational organizations in Russia and Africa.

Within the Forum cultural program its participants saw the inspiring documentary and exposition dedicated to the memory and legacy of Patrice Lumumba, an outstanding African statesman of the 20th century. The last forum day was concluded by a gala dinner, preceded by the Tanzania Philharmonic Society Choir's performance of the student anthem «Gaudeamus» and «Baba Yetu», the Christian chant in Swahili.

For information:

The Forum of International Alumni of Soviet and Russian Universities – Representatives of the Education and Healthcare Systems of African Countries is organized by the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University «LETI» with the support of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo), the Russian Center for Science and Culture (Russian House), and the Russian Embassy in Tanzania. The official partner of the Forum is the State Atomic Energy Corporation «Rosatom».