The Embassy of the Russian Federation in Senegal hosted a diploma ceremony at the Innopraktika Media Library of Cheikh Anta Diop University (UCAD), honoring students who completed the Russian language and literature program. The event brought together Russian Ambassador Dmitry Kourakov, Art-Podgotovka representative Alexey Levedev, Russian Consulate official Diana Klespatskaya, and Professor Abdourahmane Diallo, head of the Department of Slavic Languages and Civilizations.
Ambassador Kourakov highlighted the strong historical ties between Senegal and the Russian language, recalling that President Léopold Sédar Senghor introduced Russian into Senegalese high schools. He also emphasized the renewed momentum of Russian-African cooperation, noting that Russian government scholarships awarded to Senegalese students have increased from 30 in 2020 to 150 in 2025.
Professor Diallo underscored the cultural and intellectual value of learning Russian, pointing to the deep historical connections between the two nations and the African ancestry of the renowned Russian poet Alexander Pushkin. He reiterated the department’s commitment to strengthening the presence of the Russian language across Senegalese high schools and at UCAD.
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of diplomas, celebrating academic excellence and reinforcing the cultural and educational partnership between Senegal and Russia.
