Elena Zatitina, Deputy Director of the Institute of Management in Economic, Environmental and Social Systems at Southern Federal University, joined the Russian delegation. RAfU is a consortium that brings together leading universities in Russia and African countries to promote academic mobility, joint educational programs, and scientific research. Participation in RAfU Days allows Russian universities to build direct dialogue with African partners and open up new opportunities for students and researchers.

The event program included meetings between the Russian delegation and representatives of the Association of State Universities of South Africa (Universities South Africa — USAf), the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of South Africa, the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Republic of South Africa, the University of South Africa, Tshwane University of Technology, and the University of Zululand. The delegation also took part in the 4th USAf conference “Co-Creating a Resilient Future,” which focused on the future of higher education and the development of international partnerships. The key speakers at the conference were Dr. Phethive Matutu, Director General of USAf, and Buti Manamela, Minister of Higher Education and Training of South Africa.

Among the main outcomes of the visit were agreements to develop comprehensive cooperation between Southern Federal University and South African universities. These include the possibility of jointly implementing educational programs and research projects, expanding postdoctoral programs and academic mobility, as well as contractual and quota‑based recruitment of South African citizens to study at Southern Federal University.

Participation in the event was an important step towards developing a direct dialogue with government bodies in South Africa and the university community. This will not only make it possible to initiate joint projects in the fields of education, science and innovation, but also to attract talented and motivated citizens of South Africa to SFedU.

Special thanks are expressed to the representatives of the Russian diplomatic mission: To Advisor‑Envoy Evgeny Sadikov, Science Attaché Viktor Vinogradov, First Secretary Darya Pelyavina, and Third Secretary Polina Kulakova, as well as to Alla Mazina, Head of the Project Office of the Consortium “Russian‑African Network University”.