BRICS Network University Expands List of Thematic Areas of Educational Programmes

On 16 May the BRICS Network University International Governing Board held a meeting at the Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia. The meeting was held as part of Russia’s BRICS Chairship in 2024 and was attended by representatives of the new countries that have joined the association this year.

Board meetings are part of the institutional basis for cooperation as part of the organization’s key educational project – BRICS Network University.

Sustainable agriculture, food security, mathematics, natural sciences, humanities, and health science have been added to the existing priority areas of knowledge: energy, economics, computer science, information security, ecology, climate change, water resources, and pollution control.

In addition, the BRICS partners discussed draft documents prepared by the Russian side to enhance academic mobility, as well as to promote and popularize the BRICS Network University brand in the international arena. Such documents include the academic mobility concepts for students, teachers, and researchers. The documents aim to simplify the development and approval of joint educational programmes and create common approaches to academic exchanges within the BRICS Network University.

In an effort to increase awareness of the BRICS Network University brand, the meeting participants supported Russia’s initiative to establish a BRICS Network University certificate in addition to the national diplomas of the organization’s member countries.

Another key item that was discussed at the meeting was the creation of a BRICS scientific journal. It will serve as an essential academic resource for BRICS students and teachers, where they will be able to independently find relevant information from trusted sources, and also use it to publish the results of scientific research.

The participants supported the draft documents prepared by the Russian side. They are expected to be adopted at the next meeting of the BRICS Network University International Governing Board. By this time, the necessary procedures for the accession of the new countries to the BRICS Network University are expected to be completed. The corresponding protocol of accession and memorandum on its establishment are to be signed at the upcoming meeting of BRICS Ministers of Education in Kazan in June 2024.

The Roscongress Foundation manages the events of Russia’s BRICS Chairship.