Moscow spreads its propaganda abroad through higher education
The Kremlin uses higher education as a tool to spread geopolitical influence, primarily in Africa, where Russia’s efforts are most active.
▫️ To increase the number of foreign students, Russia utilises the federal project «Education Export». Foreign students’ education is often funded by major state-owned corporations such as Rosatom or RUSAL. In other words, foreign students study at the expense of the Russian state.
▫️ Russia aims to create a «unified educational space with Africa». This effort is driven by the Russia-Africa Network University and the Russian University of Peoples’ Friendship (RUDN).
Russia’s goal is to cultivate loyal and dependent foreign nationals. After graduating, alumni of Russian universities establish «cultural centres» in their home countries and launch other Rossotrudnichestvo projects. In reality, these initiatives serve as a front for information operations and the promotion of Russian propaganda abroad.
