Multimedia University of Kenya (MMU), Nairobi, Kenya, in the course of five-year fruitful cooperation with RUDN University was chosen as the place for planting the first trees within the project “Green University” in honor of the 60th anniversary of our University.

Every year since 2016, RUDN University holds Open Olympiads for MMU senior students of the bachelor's programme, the winners get the opportunity to continue their studies at RUDN University on the master's programme for free. Of course, such fruitful cooperation between universities could not be realized without the comprehensive support of our graduates. Nyakundi Abel Mayaka - Professor, Dean of the Engineering Faculty, who contributes to the implementation of scientific and inter-University cooperation is one of them.

The Olympiad in 2019 and tree planting were held with the support of the Russian Embassy in Kenya and the personal participation of Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Kenya Maksimychev Dmitry Igorevich.

Four sycamore trees were planted in the campus on July 4. It is impossible not to mention some interesting facts about this tree. Sycamore is called “Eastern maple”, because its leaves are very similar to maple leaves, but there are some differences. Sycamore is much larger in size and life span. This species is the largest in size on the planet. In ancient times several hundred people could hide from the sun behind an old and large sycamore tree. In Ancient Egypt, sycamore was a symbol of the sky and the goddess Nut. In Ancient Greece, sycamore was related to the gods - Apollo and Dionysus, to the heroes - Hercules, Agamemnon, Menelaus.

The main reason for choosing this tree for planting was its durability. Sycamore is considered to be one of the most durable trees in the world.

We hope that the planted trees will become the symbol of the long friendship of our universities and our states.