International Dialogue: Ambassador of Gabon visits UNN
Sosthène Ndembi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Gabonese Republic to the Russian Federation, has paid a visit to Lobachevsky University. The aim of the visit was to explore the educational and research potential of one Russia’s top universities and to discuss prospects for enhancing cooperation. During the meeting, the parties reviewed the current state of collaboration and outlined steps to strengthen the partnership in the field of academic cooperation.
"Lobachevsky University has over 25,000 students and postgraduates from almost 100 countries around the globe. We have relatively few students from Gabon — only 12 persons, and four of them study within the framework of the intergovernmental quota of the Russian Federation. Some of the students from Gabon actively participated in scientific conferences and cultural events. We hope that today's visit will allow us to increase the number of Gabonese students at UNN in the future," said Oleg Trofimov, Rector of Lobachevsky University.
Currently, students from the Gabonese Republic are studying at UNN’s leading faculties and institutes. Their choice of majors ranges from chemistry, physics, social sciences, information technology to programmes at the Institute of Clinical Medicine and the Institute of Economics.
Oleg Trofimov also emphasized that UNN is actively developing partnerships with African countries and is a participant in the Russian-African Network University (RAFU). For two years in a row, UNN has successfully hosted RAFU summer schools on biomedical topics for students from different African countries as part of this project.
Ambassador Ndembi expressed his appreciation for the high level of organisation of the educational process at UNN and showed interest in various training programmes. The parties agreed to continue cooperation and develop specific initiatives to strengthen collaboration in the field of education and science.
After the meeting, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Gabonese Republic visited the UNN History Museum, where he learned about the university's history, its scientific traditions, and contribution to the development of Russian education.
Then he met with students from Gabon studying at the university’s various faculties. During the meeting, the Ambassador asked the students about their academic achievements, living conditions, and adaptation in Nizhny Novgorod. He also expressed his support for their desire to receive a high-quality education in Russia.
