My Ambassadorial Visit to Cameroon
The International Ambassadors project at HSE University-St Petersburg is a dynamic initiative, which empowers international students to represent the university in their home countries around the world. Established to build cultural bridges and strengthen the university’s global presence, the programme recruits highly motivated students who are passionate about international education and willing to share their HSE experience through events, outreach campaigns, and personal engagement. Ambassadors serve as cultural connectors offering firsthand insights into student life, academic opportunities, and the unique environment which define HSE University. The project also aims to foster long-term international cooperation and attract more diverse and talented applicants to one of Russia’s leading research universities.
As a part of the project, I, Samuel Ayuk Enowmanyi, embarked on a meaningful 18-day mission to Cameroon, my home country. From March 28 to April 18, 2025, I had the distinct honour of representing HSE University-St Petersburg as an International Ambassador. This assignment was not only professionally enriching but deeply personal, offering a unique opportunity to share the excellence of HSE University with aspiring students, academic leaders, and institutional stakeholders in Central Africa. It was a journey rooted in passion, purpose, and a firm belief in the power of education as an impetus for transformation.
My motivation for this mission stemmed from the startling realisation that awareness of HSE University in Cameroon is still remarkably low, despite its global ranking and outstanding academic reputation. At the moment, there are only two Cameroonians, including myself. I embarked on this journey with the clear expectation of promoting the university, demystifying Russian higher education, and bridging the gap between HSE University and potential international students. What I discovered was a fertile ground of curiosity, enthusiasm, and untapped interest in most of the programmes and particularly in my master's programme ‘International Business in the Asia-Pacific Region’. Once I explained the programme's structure, global relevance, and career outcomes, many students were eager to learn more and pursue similar academic paths.
Throughout the trip, I engaged in an intensive outreach campaign, covering over 15 institutions in major cities like Yaoundé, Douala, Kumba, Buea and Mamfe. Among the prominent universities I visited were ESSTIC/ASMAC Yaoundé, University of Buea, Yaoundé International Business School, ISSTIC, RHIMS, and Talent House Academy. In addition, I conducted interactive sessions in several high schools, such as English High School, Champions Comprehensive High School, Government High School Mamfe, Oxford Comprehensive High School, Summerset High School, and Franky Comprehensive High School Yaoundé.
A key highlight of the visit was the range of stakeholders: from university presidents and secretary generals to school principals, department heads, and programme directors. In every location, I gave tailored presentations focused on HSE’s admission process, partnership, scholarship and other funding opportunities, joint research, academic mobility, and student exchange programmes. During the events, I responded to the audience’s questions, provided brochures and programme guides, and offered one-on-one consultations. These conversations were energising. The students expressed not only excitement but also their readiness to apply, while institutions administration showed their interest in establishing institutional collaborations with HSE University-St Petersburg.
This experience reaffirmed the transformative role that international ambassadors can play in shaping global education narratives. It was a privilege to act as a bridge between HSE University and the Cameroonian academic ecosystem, presenting possibilities for future partnerships and inspiring the next generation of scholars. I am incredibly grateful to the university for the trust and support. May the seeds planted during this trip yield lasting academic and institutional impact. I remain committed to further promoting HSE University and fostering meaningful global connections.
Even as my official participation in the International Ambassadors project comes to an end, my commitment to HSE University promotion remains unwavering. This is my lifelong mission to advance the values and academic excellence of this institution, as HSE University-St Petersburg has shaped me both intellectually and professionally. I intend to continue organising outreach sessions, mentorship programmes, and alumni engagement events across Africa and beyond. The reputation and reach of HSE University should not be confined by borders. I will actively contribute to ensuring its visibility grows in emerging academic markets, particularly within the Global South.
Moreover, my journey has also allowed me to reflect critically on the stereotypes often associated with Russia. At many of the schools, I encountered questions shaped by outdated or misinformed views of Russian society and education. Through an open dialogue, I shared my experience of life in St Petersburg: a vibrant, welcoming, and intellectually stimulating environment. The diversity of students at HSE University, the openness of faculty, and the cultural richness of Russia contrast strongly with prevailing narratives. My goal was to challenge these misconceptions and help students to see Russia not as a distant, unfamiliar place, but as a land of opportunity, innovation, and global academic relevance.
By Samuel Ayuk Enowmanyi, HSE University-St Petersburg International Ambassador 2024/2025