The second «Russia-Africa» Economic Forum is being held in St. Petersburg. The event is dedicated to the areas of partnership and cooperation between Russia and the countries of the African continent. Two sections were held within the framework of the forum: «Cooperation in higher education in modern geopolitical conditions» chaired by Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Andrey Fursenko and «Russia and Africa: prospects for the development of inter-university cooperation» chaired by Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University Viktor Sadovnichy. The Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Valery Falkov took part in both sessions. The Rector's building of St. Petersburg was presented at the summit by the Rector of Ƶ, Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Universities of the Northern Capital and the Leningrad Region Alexey Demidov.

«At the speech of the President of Russia, the topic of developing contacts in higher education was raised. The creation of a Consortium of technical universities from Africa and Russia was cited as an example of cooperation,» Alexey Demidov said. He also highlighted that St. Petersburg universities also actively cooperate with African countries and have concluded about 40 agreements with them. About 2 thousand students from 47 countries of the African continent study in the Northern capital.
In an extended interview with the St. Petersburg channel Alexey Demidov noted that Ƶ is among the top ten universities in terms of the number of students from Africa. «The strategy of international cooperation in almost all St. Petersburg universities defines the directions of the African continent as the main one,» the rector of Ƶ added.

