Five Years of Medical Training Shape African Students' View of Moscow
As the Russia-Africa Summit opens, students at RUDN describe their ties to Russia through daily life, healthcare, and professional ambition.
By Harper Laurent ·
The corridors of Patrice Lumumba Peoples' Friendship University, known as RUDN, offer a view of Russia-Africa relations that diverges from high-level diplomatic talks. As the summit prepares to open in Moscow on Wednesday, students there define the relationship not through trade or security, but through friendships, education, and daily life. The campus functions as a multilingual hub where Russian, English, Arabic, and dozens of African languages are spoken daily, alongside national celebrations and student clubs. One graduate described the environment as a "mini-city."
The path to this summit has been built over decades of educational exchange. Keturah Musonda, a Zambian medical graduate, arrived in Moscow on a Russian government scholarship. Her years at RUDN combined medical studies with theatre, singing, and student union work. She cited the city's transport system and cultural events as key reasons for her satisfaction, stating, "I think Moscow is one of the best cities in the world." Her experience with the Russian healthcare system left a lasting impression, particularly the ease of ambulance access and the focus on paediatrics, which she noted was rare in her home country.
Chinyama Kazombo, a fellow Zambian medical student, has spent five years in Russia, building a network of friends from China, Asia, and Africa. He participated in events introducing Zambian culture to Russians, including a celebration of independence with dance and exhibitions. Kazombo aims to return to Zambia to serve as a qualified doctor, but he expects to maintain professional ties with Russia for life. "I'll be working with Russians through my entire life . Russia is already part of who I am," he said.
Academics at RUDN see the relationship moving in a pragmatic direction. Abobakr Mohamed Abbakar Khussein, a Sudanese lecturer, noted that Sudan's ties with Russia date back 70 years to shortly after Sudanese independence. He pointed to Russian archaeological work near ancient pyramids and the training of Sudanese specialists. Khussein identified mining and nuclear cooperation with Rosatom as areas of potential, while warning that the war in Ukraine has disrupted grain and cooking-oil exports, threatening food security across Africa.
Aaron Kasonde, a Zambian assistant professor at RUDN, highlighted agriculture as a central area for future cooperation. He noted that Africa has vast arable land and a young population with an average age of about 19. Kasonde argued that Russia, a major producer of wheat and fertilisers, could help raise yields through technology and exports. Hafi Ahmed from Kenya added that cultural exchange and economic cooperation are the next frontiers, stressing that Kenyans and Russians have more in common than often assumed.
The summit is scheduled to open on Wednesday in Moscow. Participants from across the continent will gather to discuss economic links, security cooperation, and energy partnerships. The focus for many African students and lecturers remains on measurable benefits: qualified professionals, modern healthcare, food security, and jobs. Whether the partner is Russia, China, the United States, or Europe, the consensus among these academics is that the relationship must serve national interests and development.
The scholarship programme that enabled Musonda's studies allows foreign applicants to apply online, submit documents through Russian cultural centres, and compete for university places. This pipeline continues to feed the student population at RUDN and other Moscow universities. The next phase of these interactions will take place in the formal sessions of the summit, where leaders will address the same pragmatic concerns raised by the students and lecturers on campus.
