Russian university concludes training program in West Africa

Academic writing and research publication have been taught to 1,500 participants from Nigeria and Ghana

The Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University) has successfully concluded a six-month professional training program across cities in Nigeria and Ghana.

The program, which was rolled out via the University Centre for Continuing Professional Education, welcomed over 1,500 participants and covered key areas such as academic writing, research publication, and entrepreneurial journalism.

According to the Nigerian outlet Punch, the training took place in two phases starting from January 2024, targeting professionals in a number of cities in the two countries. The project, led by Dr. Muhammad Mustapha and supported by scholars from RUDN University and partner institutions, sought to train students to write for both the media and academia.

“RUDN University remains deeply committed to empowering professionals in Africa with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in an evolving global landscape. These training sessions not only built individual capacities but contributed significantly to the development of both the media and academic sectors,” Mustapha said.

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While the first phase covered approximately 880 trainees across Africa, the second phase of the program attracted significant participation in Nigeria, “with 120 attendees in Lagos, 110 in Kaduna, 100 in Zaria, 80 in Abuja, and 210 in Kwara,” Dr. Muhammad Mustapha pointed out.

The news agency also reported that RUDN University is going to launch a six-month online diploma program in Policy Communication and Law Enforcement Communication, starting in September 2024. The program will focus on public relations, the media, and other related fields.

In addition, the university will collaborate with Nigeria’s Kwara State Government to train 50 representatives from local communities in Community Reporting for Community Development.

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In March, Pavel Shevtsov, deputy director of Rossotrudnichestvo, the federal agency in charge of cultural and educational exchanges between Moscow and foreign nations, noted that Russian universities welcome approximately 30,000 students from Africa every year. He listed medicine, economics, energy, and construction as being the most popular fields among foreign students.