Ambassador of South Africa to head Academic Programme Council of St Petersburg University
The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa Mzuvukile Jeff Maketuka and Honorary Consul of South Africa in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region Vladimir Borisenko have visited St Petersburg University. During the meeting, the diplomat confirmed his decision to become the Head of the Council of the Academic Programme "World Politics".
Sergey Andryushin, Deputy Rector for International Affairs at St Petersburg University, noted that the previous meeting with Rector Nikolay Kropachev had been fruitful for both sides. ‘During the last reception, the Rector of St Petersburg University made an offer for the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of South Africa to chair the Council of one of the University’s academic programmes. Our meeting today is dedicated to a more detailed review of the outcome of the talks,’ added Sergey Andryushin, Deputy Rector for International Affairs at St Petersburg University.
Dmitrii Baryshnikov, Deputy Dean for Academic Activities and Teaching Methods at the School of International Relations of St Petersburg University, told the Ambassador about the features of the master’s programme in World Politics, which the distinguished guest, as a professional diplomat and expert in international relations, had been invited to head.
We are interested in developing cooperation with a world leader in the Republic of South Africa. Our programme includes disciplines focused on Russia-South Africa relations. It is therefore particularly valuable for us to have an expert with extensive experience in the field as a member of the Council of the programme.
Dmitrii Baryshnikov, Deputy Dean for Academic Activities and Teaching Methods at the School of International Relations of St Petersburg University
Elena Menshchikova, Deputy Head of the Educational Programmes Department at St Petersburg University, spoke about the format and work of the Academic Programme Council. Its members help to adjust the educational process and solve issues concerning teaching methods. The Council also participates in the development of examination and assessment forms for future specialists.
Mzuvukile Maketuka said that he was ready to establish academic cooperation with Russia’s leading university and offered to discuss the specifics of diplomatic training in South Africa and the Russian Federation in the context of the World Politics programme. ‘I will be interested in sharing my experience and opinion on the matter with students. In this way, we will create a space for debate, thereby improving the quality of the academic programme,’ said the Ambassador.
During the meeting, the issue of cooperation between Nelson Mandela University and St Petersburg University was raised.
The Russian side expressed its willingness to actively cooperate with South Africa’s leading university in order to mutually develop academic programmes and exchange students and teachers.
The parties agreed to consider the possibility of organising the signing ceremony in an official atmosphere during the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.