St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” and Oduduwa University (Nigeria) will develop cooperation in the field of academic mobility.
On 7 May 2019, representatives of the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” and Oduduwa University (Nigeria) signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Academic Exchange Agreement. The main result of the negotiations that took place at ETU “LETI” will be the participation of African students in English-taught master’s programs, summer and winter schools of St. Petersburg University.
ETU “LETI” was represented by Anastasia Minina, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Maria Kiseleva, Head of the International Academic Mobility Department, Renat Yalyshev, Head of the International Student Office, Alexandra Kilina, Head of the Preparatory Department for International Students, Anna Glazova, Associate Professor of the Department of Bioengineering Systems, Dmitry Klionsky, Deputy Dean for International Affairs of the Faculty of Computer Science and Technology, and John Ayodele, Specialist of the International Academic Mobility Department.
The delegation of the Nigerian university included Ramon Adegoke Adedoyin, its Founder and Chancellor, Funmilayo Roseline Olukotun, Director, Centre for International Studies and Exchange Programmes, and Eniola Ayomide Aliu, Student. Students from Nigeria studying at ETU “LETI” also attended the meeting.
John Ayodele, Specialist of the International Academic Mobility Department at ETU “LETI,” who found a university interested in cooperation from Africa, which is one of the priority regions for ETU “LETI”, initiated the partnership. At the beginning of the year, a video call was held with the Head of the International Department and the Dean of the Faculty of Computer Technology at Oduduwa University, where the parties agreed to meet in St. Petersburg.
At the talks, representatives of two universities told about their history, faculties and educational programs. The English-taught master’s programs implemented at ETU caused the greatest interest among the delegation of the African university. According to the Maria Kiseleva, Head of the International Academic Mobility Department, after the bachelor’s degree, Oduduwa University sends its students to study for master’s degree in Europe or America, but recently Russia has become an increasingly attractive direction for them.
Following the talks, the parties entered into agreements that are aimed at developing academic contacts and achieving a better understanding of the cultures of the two countries, exchanging faculty members, supporting academic and cultural student exchanges, and scientific cooperation. After the meeting, representatives of a Nigerian university examined the campus of the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI.”
“At the moment, LETI is very interested in attracting students to English-taught master’s programs, including from African countries. This year we are actively working in various African countries, including visits in Tanzania and Nigeria. Following the meetings, new and new contacts appear that are important to develop and bring to a logical conclusion. This will attract students to our seasonal schools, as well as to the master’s programs in the future so that after graduation, the students either go to graduate school or become our “agents of influence” in African countries.” – Anastasia Minina, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at ETU “LETI”
St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” provides training for Nigerian students since 1967; the first specialist from this country graduated the university in 1972. Over the past years, more than 100 citizens of Nigeria have completed the educational programs at ETU “LETI.” The most sought-after area is power engineering and electrical engineering, but in recent years, the attention of Nigerian students has shifted toward computer technology and science. Another popular area is the bioengineering systems.
Currently, ETU “LETI” is actively developing cooperation in the Nigerian educational market. From April 27 to April 31, the delegation of the St. Petersburg Electrotechnical University “LETI” held a meeting at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Nigeria, as well as with the Nigerian Federal Scholarship Council. In order to develop academic mobility, negotiations with the Federal University of Technology Owerri took place.