GABORONE, July 12 (Xinhua) --- A Russian language center will be established at the University of Botswana (UB) in the next two months, according to a memorandum of understanding reached Wednesday between the UB and Russia's Perm State Humanitarian Pedagogical University (PSHPU) and BioTech University.
"As a first step, we are offering to launch a center for open education in your university," said Anastasya Vertyanova, head of the PSHPU International Department, at a ceremony at the UB.
According to Vertyanova, the center, which targets 300 participants as its first cohort, is slated to open in early September.
In addition, the UB and the PSHPU will embark on the joint development and methodological support of programs for Botswanan students entering higher educational institutions in Russia, she said.
The universities will also cooperate in research projects in such areas as the development of education systems in Botswana and Russia, Vertyanova said.
The UB and BioTech will explore cooperation on research in food sciences and other priority areas, and on staff and student exchanges, said Pavel Gultiaev, head of the Department for International Cooperation at BioTech University.
"Food security is crucial, not only in Botswana but the African region," he said.
Commenting on the memorandum, UB Vice Chancellor David Norris said acquiring strategic partners remains key to the university's transformation agenda. ■