One of many key gamers in Russia’s worldwide scholar recruitment technique is RACUS (Regional Affiliation of Russian Universities), a state-affiliated organisation that promotes Russian greater training, significantly in Africa, Asia, and the Center East.
Russian universities, by means of RACUS, are providing potential African college students varied incentives, together with tuition charges between $2,000 and $4,000, English- and French-taught diploma packages, 300 scholarships, assured admissions, job alternatives, and a possible pathway to Russian citizenship.
Talking to The PIE Information, RACUS common director Avbakar Nutsalov, alongside Lika Shengeliia, a scholar providers supervisor for Southern Africa, asserted that Russia stays dedicated to welcoming worldwide college students.
Nutsalov emphasised that college students who obtain Russian authorities scholarships usually pay solely about 20% of their tuition charges, with the remainder lined by the federal government. They’re additionally supplied with free or low-cost lodging.
“Every scholar is assigned a private supervisor who offers 24/7 help from the second of utility till commencement,” he defined.
Whereas Russia noticed a 12.6% decline in worldwide scholar numbers in 2024, RACUS anticipates a 15-17% enhance in 2025, attributing this to strengthening ties between Russia and Africa, significantly throughout the BRICS framework.
“In Russia, we don’t view training as a instrument for revenue. It’s meant to provide individuals a greater life,” he added, with the Russian authorities rising the variety of full scholarships accessible for African college students from 15,000 to 30,000 per yr.
“In response to the Russian authorities, Africa wants extra educated professionals, which is why we’re actively selling alternatives for African college students,” Nutsalov said.
Russia’s total worldwide scholar recruitment targets have not too long ago confronted challenges as a result of geopolitical tensions and issues over reported scholar experiences.
In response to the Russian authorities, Africa wants extra educated professionals, which is why we’re actively selling alternatives for African college students
Avbakar Nutsalov, RACUS
It follows allegations within the media final yr that some worldwide college students and employees have been drawn into army and labour roles amid Russia’s ongoing and extremely controversial battle with Ukraine – claims that RACUS vehemently denied when questioned by The PIE.
A 2024 investigation by The Related Press highlighted allegations from a bunch of younger ladies – aged 18 to 22 from Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria.
In response to the report, the ladies claimed they have been misled upon arriving in Russia, believing they have been coming into work-study packages, solely to be assigned to labour in arms manufacturing amenities. Experiences recommend that roughly 200 African ladies have been engaged in these roles alongside Russian vocational college students.
One other report signifies that vocational employees at Russian factories additionally embrace college students from the Alabuz Polytechnic College, a technical boarding college for Russians aged 16-18 and Central Asians aged 18-22, a few of whom are reportedly concerned in drone manufacturing; with leaked paperwork suggesting plans to increase this workforce from 900 to over 2,600 by 2025.
Addressing issues about potential army recruitment, Nutsalov said that worldwide college students on research visas are legally restricted from army service. “With a view to be recruited, you will need to have spent no less than one yr within the Russian military, which college students don’t have,” he stated.
“The one people concerned in army actions are volunteers or skilled troopers,” he added, stating that even these searching for to enlist at the moment are being turned away as a result of a scarcity of want”.
