President John Dramani Mahama has received an honorary doctorate degree from Russia’s RUDN University in Moscow, in recognition of his leadership and contribution to public service.
The university, also known as Patrice Lumumba University, conferred the honorary distinction on the Ghanaian leader during his visit to the institution, where he studied as a postgraduate student almost four decades ago.
The conferment marked a return to an institution with which President Mahama shares an academic connection, an experience he said brought a sense of nostalgia.
In his address, the President expressed appreciation for the honour and highlighted the university’s longstanding role in strengthening educational ties between Russia and African countries.
He described RUDN University as a symbol of solidarity and friendship between Russia and nations that emerged from colonial rule, noting that its educational links with Africa had helped train generations of professionals who returned home to contribute to national development.
President Mahama also reflected on the legacies of Ghana’s first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and Congolese independence leader Patrice Lumumba, whose name the university bears. He said their vision of dignity, sovereignty and genuine independence remained relevant to contemporary African leadership.
The President used the occasion to welcome the university’s proposal to establish a Russian-African studies programme and its invitation for Ghana to send outstanding students to the institution for specialised studies.
He expressed gratitude to the Russian government for scholarships awarded to Ghanaian students and called for stronger partnerships between Ghanaian and Russian institutions in areas such as engineering, medicine and energy.
President Mahama stressed that education must go beyond the acquisition of academic qualifications to equip graduates with the ability to solve real-world problems.
“A university qualification should give its holder the confidence to ask searching questions and the ability to solve real-world problems,” he said.
He urged students to uphold integrity and use their education to serve society, emphasising that academic distinctions must be matched by responsible conduct.
“Above all, protect your integrity, the trust of those you serve is a responsibility that no academic distinction can replace,” he said.
The President expressed hope that the longstanding relationship between Ghana and Russia would continue to create educational opportunities for young people and strengthen cooperation between the two countries.
