Burundian students can be trained in strategic sectors in partnership with Russia, which will accelerate development, François Havyarimana, Burundi's Minister of National Education and Research, told Sputnik Africa.
Educational cooperation with Russia provides Burundi with "competent human resources capable of developing the country," Minister Havyarimana said on the sidelines of an international forum titled "Russia-Africa Dialogue on Higher Education in a Changing World," held in Moscow.
"We define the priorities in terms of education, and Russia is ready to educate our students in the fields that we consider to be priorities for the development of our country," he said.
The minister added, "That's why we have such a strong preference for Russian universities that are willing to train our students in these fields – and I mean strategic fields – for our country."
These fields include:
The good relationships between Burundi and Russia also play an important role in the East African country's preferences when it comes to choosing its educational partnerships. These cordial relationships "help to create an environment conducive to the education of our students," the minister stressed.