From Belgorod to Windhoek: BelSU and Welwitschia University Deepen Cooperation in Language and Culture

The 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Namibian Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation took place in Windhoek. The Russian side of the commission is chaired by Yuri Trutnev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, while the Namibian side is led by Selma Ashipala-Musawyi, Minister of International Relations and Trade of the Republic of Namibia.

Belgorod National Research University (BelSU) was represented at the meeting by Nikolay Tsybulya, Vice-Rector and Director of the Department of International Cooperation, as part of the delegation from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

BelSU’s collaboration with Welwitschia University, one of Namibia’s leading higher education institutions, has been ongoing since 2025. Following the signing of a partnership agreement, Belgorod State University developed a short-term Russian language course for Namibian students. The success of the first students studying under the guidance of experienced BelSU faculty inspired both universities to deepen their cooperation.

During the talks, Tsybulya and representatives of Welwitschia University, led by Acting Rector Professor Marius Hedimbi, discussed the possibility of expanding the Russian language programme in Namibia. The two universities agreed on strategies to organise distance learning in Russian more effectively and to reach a wider audience.

“The partnership with Belgorod State University allows us to expand access to international opportunities through language and cultural exchange, and also promotes cutting-edge scientific research between Namibia and Russia,” Welwitschia University said in a statement summarising the meeting.

The outcomes of the negotiations have been formalised. A clause on joint support for the development of cooperation between Welwitschia University and BelSU in promoting the Russian language has been included in the minutes of the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission.