The Russian University of Friendship (RUDN) and the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT) have taken a significant step towards promoting sustainable development in the region through a training programme on Integrated Waste Management.
The 5-day training programme, held from April 15 to 19, 2024, was led by two experts from RUDN’s School of Ecology and Nature Conservation. The programme aimed to equip students and lecturers with modern waste management approaches, including environmentally friendly and low-waste technologies.
The training covered topics such as industrial and engineering ecology concepts, classifications of modern pollution, air and gas emission cleaning processes, wastewater treatment, recycling, and solid waste neutralization. The attendees received RUDN certificates of attendance.
The programme is part of the HIT-RUDN University MOU at the centre level, which aims to technologically equip students and lecturers on issues of the environment and climate change. The framework training is designed to enable students to incorporate the sustainability concept into their learning activities.
In addition to the training programme, an Olympiad was held to select students for scholarship opportunities in 2025 at RUDN. The students who emerge as winners will have the opportunity to pursue their studies at three different academic levels: Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate, for durations of 4, 2, and 3 years respectively.
The scholarship programme will enable students to pursue studies in fields such as Ecology and Nature Management, Energy and Resources saving technologies in Chemical Technology, Petrochemistry and Biotechnology, and other fields deemed necessary by HIT.
Dr Phiri, Director of the Environmental Management, Renewable Energy and Climate Change (EMRECC) Centre, praised his counterparts for a job well done in operationalizing the RUDN/HIT MOU. He also highlighted other opportunities in line with the MOU, including sabbatical opportunities for staff and student exchange.
Dr. Phiri, a former Russian student, has been involved in various initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development. He recently co-organized a conference in Russia on “Relevant Issues of Ecology and Environmental Management” and presented a paper on “The Health Impacts of Mining in Zimbabwe.”
The training programme’s success is a testament to the strong partnership between RUDN and HIT. The two institutions are committed to promoting sustainable development through education and research.
