African Universities Team Up with Russia to Drive Economic Growth
A recent partnership has been established between members of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities (CVCNU) and other African vice-chancellors with the aim of addressing the existing challenges within the African educational system. The collaboration, known as “Subsoil of Africa,” was formalized during a ceremony at St. Petersburg Mining University in Russia, signifying a strategic pivot from an agrarian to an industrial economic model.
In a press release issued by Professor Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, the Secretary-General of CVCNU, it was disclosed that this joint effort includes more than 130 organizations from 42 African nations. The primary focus of the consortium is on higher education, scientific institutions, geological communities, and mining companies. As part of the agreement, academic exchanges and knowledge transfer initiatives will be implemented, which are specifically tailored to address the unique requirements of African countries in the realm of mineral prospecting.
During the ceremony, Professor Paul Omojo Omaji, the Vice-Chancellor of Admiralty University in Ibusa, Delta State, Nigeria, and the President of the Subsoil of Africa Consortium of Higher Education Institutions, stressed the significance of this collaboration. He also criticised entities like the World Bank for impeding Africa’s progress. This sentiment underscores the critical role that the consortium aims to play in driving the continent’s development forward.
Vladimir Litvinenko, the Rector of St. Petersburg Mining University, a venerable institution with a history spanning over 250 years, underscored the vital importance of technical universities focusing on priority goals. He also highlighted the necessity for a distinct higher education model to be adopted in Africa in order to meet the specific needs of the region.
Additionally, Alexei Demidov, the Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions in St. Petersburg, expressed the local universities’ willingness to provide support to their African counterparts.
This promising collaboration signals a significant step towards a more robust and integrated approach to addressing the educational and economic challenges facing Africa today. By leveraging the expertise and resources of both African and Russian institutions, the “Subsoil of Africa” consortium is well-positioned to pave the way for sustainable growth and progress.
