Association of African Universities Establishes Strategic Representative Office in Russia to Drive Higher Education and Research Cooperation

ST. PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – October 15, 2026

The Association of African Universities (AAU) today announces the official establishment of its Representative Office in Russia, a strategic new hub created to deepen collaboration in higher education, research, and human capacity development between Africa and Russia. The office will be hosted by the prestigious Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University and coordinated by the UNESCO Competency Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University. The establishment of the office is underpinned by a five-year strategic agreement designed to promote partnerships on new international studies and projects, mirroring the AAU’s successful regional office model in Europe.

The tripartite agreement was signed during the 2nd Russia – Africa Raw Materials Dialogue by Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, Secretary-General of the AAU; Prof. Vladimir Stefanovich Litvinenko, Rector of St. Petersburg Mining University; and Prof. Vladimir T. Borzenkov, Director-General of the UNESCO Competency Centre. The new office will serve as a central platform to connect African and Russian institutions especially on engineering education through joint research, academic mobility, scholarship access, and curriculum development. Ms. Alyona Krylova will serve as the Russian coordinator, with Mr. Ransford Bekoe representing the AAU Secretariat in a dedicated working group to ensure operational and programme coordination.

“The launch of our Representative Office in Russia marks a pivotal moment in the AAU’s journey to internationalize African higher education and champion our continent’s development priorities on the global stage,” said Prof. Olusola B. Oyewole, Secretary-General of the AAU. “This is not merely about opening an office; it is about building a robust, outcome-oriented partnership that connects our universities, research institutions, and industries to create tangible opportunities for our students and researchers. At the core of this collaboration is a commitment to equitable partnerships – we are moving from dialogue to delivery, and we are doing so as equal partners.”

Discussions further advanced plans for flexible engineering pathways-including a model combining five years of study in Africa with one year of advanced specialisation in Russia – and a proposed Academic Business Council to strengthen university-industry collaboration and technology transfer.

The new office will serve as an institutional anchor for several key initiatives, including:

• Institutional Liaison: Fostering direct partnerships between African and Russian universities.
• Research and Capacity Development: Supporting joint research projects and academic exchanges in critical sectors such as mining, energy, food security, digital technologies, and health.
• Student Mobility and Support: Facilitating student recruitment, scholarship opportunities, and providing essential support services for academic success and adaptation in Russia.
• Knowledge Dissemination: Promoting AAU programs and raising the visibility of African higher education priorities within the Russian academic community.

The announcement coincided with the Dialogue’s forward-looking discussions, which included the creation of a Russia-Africa Academic Centre for Research and Human Capacity Development pioneered by St. Petersburg Mining University, the UNESCO Competency Centre, and  the AAU.

The Dialogue identified further priorities for collaboration, including a joint working group on qualification recognition, credit transfer, and quality assurance, as well as expanded cooperation in food security, digital transformation, and public health. These initiatives directly respond to Africa’s urgent need for advanced skills and technologies to drive sustainable industrialization and economic transformation.

“This partnership is built on a foundation of reciprocity and mutual respect,” added Prof. Oyewole. “Russia has deep expertise in engineering and resource development, and Africa has a youthful, dynamic population and a clear vision for its future. International collaboration is essential to teaching and research, and by working together as equitable partners, we can unlock immense potential for innovation and shared prosperity.”

The AAU, on behalf of its 500-university membership spread across Africa, extends its sincere gratitude to its Russian partners, Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University and the UNESCO Competency Centre for Mining Engineering Education, for their commitment to this historic endeavour. This office stands as a testament to what can be achieved through international cooperation and a shared vision for a knowledge-driven future.

About the Association of African Universities (AAU)

Founded in 1967, the Association of African Universities is the apex organization and forum for consultation, exchange of information and co-operation among universities in Africa. With a membership of over 500 universities across the continent, the AAU is dedicated to the development of higher education in Africa and its contribution to the continent’s sustainable development. Its mission is to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education and research in Africa and to promote the spirit and practice of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. In addition to three Regional Offices located in different regions of Africa, , the AAU operates a regional office in Europe (University of Nottingham) and has just signed a memorandum of understanding to establish one in Russia to be hosted by Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University, extending its global partnership network.

About St. Petersburg Mining University

As one of the world’s oldest and most respected mining engineering universities, Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University is a leader in training specialists for the mineral resources, oil and gas, and energy sectors. It is the first higher technical educational institution in Russia, founded in 1773The university is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge research, and strong ties to industry, and ranked among the top 20 best engineering and technical universities in the world in mineral and mining engineering by QS World University rankings.

About the UNESCO Competency Centre for Mining Engineering Education

The UNESCO Competency Centre for Mining Engineering Education hosted bySt. Petersburg Mining University is a Category 2 Centre under the auspices of UNESCO. It is dedicated to developing competencies and the dissemination of knowledge and technology in the mineral resources sector, energy and mining engineering education in the interests of global sustainable development.

AAU Media Contact:

fnkrumah@aau.org