Delegation of African media tours KFU
Kazan Federal University hosted a press tour for journalists from leading African media outlets headed by the Russian news agency TASS. The event was organized by the Department of Information Policy and the International Office of Kazan Federal University. Twenty media representatives participated in the event, learning about the history, educational opportunities, and international projects of one of the oldest universities in our country.
The main part of the event began in the History Museum, a unique space housing rare exhibits. The tour guide provided a detailed account of how the university became a center for training outstanding scientists who have contributed to global science.
Vice-Rector for International Affairs Timirkhan Alishev presented the university’s international strategy, current educational programs, scientific partnerships, and joint research with international research centers.
“This interaction is of strategic importance and is being implemented at both the federal and regional levels. In a climate of information pressure, it is important to use national media to convey the true position and real image of Russia. This includes covering our everyday lives, which is especially important for dispelling numerous myths about how life works in the Russian Federation. We are pleased to see growing interest from international media. Arab, Chinese, and, more recently, African correspondents have visited KFU. We are confident that this work is not going unnoticed,” he emphasized.
As part of the program, guests were also shown a collection of rare and ancient editions from the Department Manuscripts and Rare Books of the Lobachevsky Library.
“Our university houses unique atlases. The 16th-century atlas by Gerardus Mercator is particularly valuable. Homann’s 1710 atlas was added to the library inventory in the 1920s. A unique exhibit created in Izmir between 1804 and 1807 deserves special mention – it is the only copy known to exist in any library, archive, or museum worldwide. It is not stored anywhere else, and its presence makes our collection truly exceptional. We are proud and responsible for preserving these publications, recognizing their cultural and scientific value,” said Elmira Amerkhanova, Deputy Director for Research at the Lobachevsky Library.
The next stage of the program was a meeting in the Emperor Ballroom, where the delegates introduced international students from African countries studying at Kazan University: Awong Mengou Jefferson Edwin from Cameroon, Linda Kaddashi from Tunisia, and Abdelkader Hallam from Algeria. In a short interview, they shared their impressions of life in Kazan, the educational process, student initiatives, and what studying in Russia means to them.
“There’s a special atmosphere; the university isn’t just an educational institution, but a place with an exceptional history. Kazan feels like a very clean and modern city. After numerous trips around the world, the Kazan archive collection particularly intrigued me. As a Muslim, I’m pleased to note that in Tatarstan, representatives of different religions coexist in an atmosphere of mutual respect and harmony,” said Mohamed Tidiane Ndiaye, head of the news service at the Senegalese Press Agency (APS).
The guests were introduced to the Lenin Auditorium and told about its significance for the university’s memorial heritage.
“As a journalist, I particularly noticed the scientific discoveries made within the university’s walls. I was equally impressed by the outstanding individuals who worked here and made colossal contributions to the development of both Russian and global science,” said Denis Ntihindagizwa, editor of the multimedia department at the Burundi Press Agency (ABP).
The international press tour for journalists from African news agencies, “TASS – Africa: The Path of Friendship,” is taking place from November 16th to 24th in Moscow, Kazan, and St. Petersburg. Representatives from 10 French-speaking African countries are participating: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cameroon, Niger, the Republic of the Congo, Senegal, and Tunisia.