‘The African Students Association Believes in Fostering an Inclusive and Diverse Atmosphere’
.jpg "Bakary S. Sonko")
Russia is becoming an increasingly popular study destination for African students, and HSE University is actively seeking to attract more students from African countries. Bakary S. Sonko, from Gambia, is a master’s student at the Graduate School of Business and an active member of the volunteering community both at HSE University and beyond. In this interview, Bakary recounts his achievements as a volunteer and talks about how African students at HSE have built a supportive and welcoming community for each other.
Studies and Volunteering
My name is Bakary S. Sonko, and I hail from the beautiful country of Gambia in West Africa. Known for its unique distinction as the smallest country on mainland Africa, Gambia is home to approximately 2.4 million people. Currently, I am pursuing my studies at the Graduate School of Business, where I am undertaking a Master's programme in International Management. As a second-year student, I am eager to delve deeper into the world of business and expand my knowledge. And beyond my academic pursuits, I am a passionate individual with a wide range of interests.
One of my favourite pastimes is volunteering, which has allowed me to make a positive impact on the lives of others
Since I arrived in Russia, I have been volunteering with the #Мывместе organisation. For the past two summers, I also volunteered for the Eurasia Global Summit, where I led the information desk team.
In 2020, I was awarded the Russian Federation commemorative medallion for my volunteer work with #Мывместе by President Putin.
I have also volunteered to do grocery shopping grocery for the elderly, distribute masks during the pandemic, and help with the transportation and distribution of food.
Additionally, I find great joy in writing scripts and screenplays, as well as exploring the realms of poetry and youth activism.
The African Students Association
The African Students Association (ASA-HSE) serves as the umbrella organisation for all African students at HSE University. With a membership of 178 individuals hailing from 20 different countries, ASA-HSE aims to create a platform where African students can unite and collectively address issues that affect us.
The association provides opportunities for networking, sharing ideas, celebrating our diverse cultures, and fostering an environment of learning and support
Although still in its early stages, the ASA-HSE is steadily growing. We are actively working on establishing solid structures to facilitate our activities and initiatives. Our most recent meeting, held on September 16, centred around the selection process for our new executive council. Looking ahead, we have exciting plans to host events to honour outstanding African students at our university. Additionally, we aspire to organise discussions, excursions, and dance nights to further strengthen the bonds within our community.
Membership in our association is open to individuals who are either from Africa or of African descent, and are current students or alumni of HSE University. However, we extend a warm invitation to all students of HSE to participate in our events as audience members, as we believe in fostering an inclusive and diverse atmosphere.
As the interim chairman of the African Students Association, I bear the responsibility of convening and presiding over meetings. Furthermore, I am tasked with leading the association through the upcoming elections to select our first executive council. It is an exciting and challenging role that I am honoured to undertake.
For English-speaking students, HSE University offers sports clubs (football, basketball, volleyball), dancing clubs (such as HSE Dance), charity projects (Green HSE, HSE Outreach), language clubs (Russian as a Foreign Language, French, Chinese, Spanish, etc), as well as a variety of events and festivals open to the whole HSE community. More information about extracurricular life at the university is available on the HSE Extra website.
Some cultural clubs at the university include:
- Arabic Club
- Bulgarian Club
- Macedonian Club
- Mongolian Club
Those interested in joining the African Student Association can contact Bakary on Telegram.
See also:
Research Results from HSE University Form Basis of UN Report on Volunteering
The first Regional State of Volunteering in Central Asia Review was presented at the UN Headquarters in New York as part of the annual High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The preparation of this document included the research conducted by the HSE Centre for Studies of Civil Society and the Nonprofit Sector (CSCSNS), with Viacheslav Ivanov, the Chief Expert of the Centre, serving as the lead author of the review.
‘Summer in Russia Has Been the Most Adventurous Holiday in My Life’
Sheripher Dinala, from Malawi, is a student of the Master’s in Political Analysis and Public Policy at HSE University in Moscow. With her busy summer over and the new academic year in full swing, Sheripher shares her stories of moving into a university dormitory, volunteering at international conferences, and nighttime dancing by the Moscow River.
‘Volunteering Is in Every Healthcare Worker’s Blood’
From August 7 to 9, the annual All-Russian Forum of Medical Volunteers took place at HSE University’s Cultural Centre. The event was held for the seventh year in a row. This year, 300 medical volunteers from all over Russia took part.
‘Earth Is Our Only Home; We Must Preserve It’
The Green HSE student organisation recently held the ‘Green Conversation’ festival at the Cultural Centre on Pokrovsky Bulvar. At the event, participants discussed the planet’s main ecological problems and the steps required to start building a green future today.
‘The Club Offers People with Mental Disabilities Something They Lack—Communication’
HSE University is known for its active extracurricular life. There are many student organisations at the university, so everyone can find something for themselves. Anna Lulikyan, fourth-year bachelor student in Sociology, told the HSE News Service about the Best Buddies HSE volunteer club.
Why Volunteers Keep Coming Back
HSE University researchers together with colleagues from Erasmus University in Rotterdam and the University of Pennsylvania examined the determinants of episodic volunteer satisfaction and its impact on the motivation to continue volunteering.
‘We Are Trying to Change Attitudes Towards Homelessness’
HSE University graduates and the Nochlezhka charity organisation have launched a social media project called ‘Gde-to ryadom’ (‘Somewhere Nearby’) about volunteering to help homeless people. The project offers a look at volunteer work from various perspectives through personal stories, expert opinions, and interactive cases.
HSE University Situation Centre Assists Over a Thousand Students
HSE Rector Nikita Anisimov met representatives of the HSE Situation Centre to discuss the results of its volunteers’ efforts. The meeting focused on new forms of support and the problems faced by students.
Researchers from HSE University Compare Motivations of Volunteers at Winter Olympics in Sochi and Beijing
The Sochi 2014 Olympics volunteer programme involved 25,000 people. It was the first such volunteer project in Russia and was organised with support from the government, educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
Charity Festival Held by HSE University
HSE University Student Development Office held its traditional Charity Xmas festival from December 1th to 5th. The event was open to HSE University students, staff and graduates, and anybody else who wished to attend. This year for the first time, it was online, but nonetheless brought together a large number of guests and speakers. The HSE News Service spoke about volunteering and charity in the Coronavirus era.