LETI: African Students Began Basic Engineering Training under the LETI Program
In September, LETI launched the “African Engineers Training” project with the support of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education. As part of the university’s initiative, schoolchildren from African countries became participants in preparatory online courses in mathematics, computer science, and physics in English and French on the LETIteach educational platform.
LETI received over 650 applications from students from 20 African countries. Starting September 1, the applicants were tested in key subjects, as well as in the Russian language, if they had studied it before. 180 people successfully passed the tests and were enrolled in study groups. Among them, the most participants are from Tanzania, Mali, Senegal, Cameroon, Egypt, Congo, and Benin. The rest of the applicants will have access to tasks and materials on the university’s online platform.
“Our main task is to attract the best students from African countries to our university and other universities in Russia. LETI is one of the leaders in engineering education, and within the Priority 2030 project, we are working on creating a system of multilevel mass adaptive training in basic physics and mathematics. Within the “African Engineers Training” project, we adapted the system for African countries, taking into account their specifics.”
Anastasia Minina, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at LETI
After the orientation meetings, where the African students learned about the project, opportunities for enrollment in LETI and other Russian universities, and the educational system in Russia, the participants began studying on the LETIteach platform. The three-month course is divided into weekly modules: four academic hours of math, physics, and computer science and two additional hours devoted to the basics of Russian for engineering. A teacher works with each study group, who will conduct webinars with analysis of tasks and answers to students’ questions.
“As an African from Cameroon, this is a great opportunity for all participants. With this experience, they have the possibility to touch with the finger a complete engineering program. So they have to give the maximum attention and enjoy the experience,” shared project teacher Karyl Tchouta.
The project “African Engineers Training” is implemented as part of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) consortium. In addition to preparatory courses, it includes additional professional education for teachers.
“This event is a serious step toward creating a Russian-African Network University, which will make it possible to identify promising directions and the most appropriate formats for organizing such programs. We invited students to LETI to show them what opportunities we can provide and to give them additional knowledge. We are glad that LETI is involved in the new initiatives of the Russian Government to promote Russian education, which allows us to demonstrate our capabilities and build a strategy for long-term work”.
Renat Yalyshev, Head of the International Student Office at LETI
In November 2022, there will be an engineering and technical conference for teachers of Russian and African universities and schools “Teaching fundamental engineering disciplines: traditions and innovations” within the international interdisciplinary week at LETI. It will allow participants to compare the methods and approaches to teaching technical subjects in Russia and Africa.
As part of the campaign to promote the project, LETI representatives visited Egypt and signed agreements with universities in Cairo, Alexandria, and Benha. Also, meetings of Natalia Bocharova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education, and Valentina Matvienko, Federation Council Speaker, with university heads, students, parliament representatives, and the leadership of Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
LETI International Services is planning online meetings with university representatives in African countries, as well as trips to Mali and Senegal to create joint educational programs and organize Russian language training for teachers at African universities.