Russian universities do not discriminate and respect students' choice of specialization, Tom Erdimi, Chad's Minister of State and Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Vocational Training, told Sputnik Africa, urging his compatriots to choose Russian universities.
"Elsewhere, we send everyone to social sciences, humanitarian sciences, languages. Here [in Russia], when you come, you choose what you want, especially in the sciences, techniques and technologies," the minister stressed on the sidelines of the II International Forum of Ministers of Education in the Russian city of Kazan.
The senior official also called on young people to develop relations with Russia through the creation of "friendship societies" and the teaching of Russian in Africa.
"It's in the interest of the young people to do all this. And it is in their future that the relationship between Africa and Russia lies," Erdimi concluded.
'France is Still Present in Our Countries'
Explaining why African countries talk about the problem of sovereignty, the minister of state noted that it's because these countries were colonized by France.
"The population and national opinion as a whole think that France is still present in our countries," he underlined.
He added that "it's France that determines foreign policy and national policy" in its former colonies. However, there is "a growing awareness among young people" who are opposed to this lack of autonomy, the minister stressed.
"In this context, education is extremely important because an uneducated people cannot defend its interests," he highlighted. "As long as there is no education, [...] we will only look to the former colonizer," Erdimi highlighted.
Cooperation With Russia
Speaking about cooperation with Russia, Erdimi said that Chad is going to "revive the agreements" the country had with the Soviet Union.
This move is part of the current Chadian president's desire to "completely diversify" partnerships, unlike his predecessor, who was "very attached to France," he emphasized.
The process is underway with the Chadian president's visit to Moscow, the planned exchange of delegations, and N'Djamena's participation in the education forum in Kazan, the minister of state said.
"We're going to develop and improve our relations with Russia, especially in the field of education and training," he concluded.