African Entrepreneurship Record

After handling accommodation and procuring living supplies, Kowell and his party began their work.

Their first stop was Tomsk National Polytechnic University rather than Tomsk Imperial University, even though Tomsk Imperial University is top-notch locally, it doesn’t match the current talent needs of East Africa.

Because Tomsk Imperial University is primarily focused on liberal arts and lacks science and engineering faculties, which is a common problem in many European universities.

Traditional universities focus on arts, religion, literature, law, etc., Tomsk Imperial University was established in 1803, and in three years, it will be a centenary institution. Such an old establishment sets its subjects similar to early European universities.

In contrast, Tomsk Polytechnic University, though founded in 1896, just four years ago, can be distinguished from Tomsk Imperial University in its positioning by its name.

”Welcome, esteemed guests, to our Tomsk National Polytechnic University,” the principal and teachers of Tomsk National Polytechnic University warmly received these guests from afar East Africa.

The reason being, foreigners are rarely seen in Tomsk, not to mention foreigners; even Russians wouldn’t venture here unless policy dictates it.

The arrival of Kowell and his party naturally caught much attention, not to mention they are from the mysterious country of East Africa, which for most countries in the world is a land full of mysteries, having built up a world power from a barren African land in just a few decades, challenging Portugal and forcefully assimilating British.

To a country like Russia, which admires strength, East Africa commands respect and is highly attractive, although much of it is hearsay, as no country claims to fully understand East Africa, given its consistently closed nature.

Thus, whether from curiosity about strangers or an inquisitive interest in East Africa, the staff at Tomsk National Polytechnic University were filled with enthusiasm for Kowell and his group.

There is also another reason; Kowell’s first visit to Tomsk Polytechnic University gave its staff a sense of pride, as East African personnel traveled to Tomsk heralding talent introduction and cultural exchange.

Considering this, Tomsk National Polytechnic University, both historically and in terms of national importance, is not as renowned as the prominent Russian institution Tomsk Imperial University. So, what does the East Africans’ visit imply? It suggests that, in the eyes of East Africans, this school is more significant than Tomsk Imperial University!

This reflects the mentality of the faculty and students at Tomsk National Polytechnic University. Of course, the psychological complexity doesn’t extend to the East African working group members stationed in the Far East of Russia, who still respect Tomsk Imperial University’s prestige. However, East Africa prioritizes science and engineering talents, and will not recruit artists, literati, or religious scholars from Tomsk Imperial University.

”Hello, Vice Principal Molotov, thank you for your hospitality. I am Kowell, a lecturer from Mbeia National University of the Rhine Empire, responsible for teaching mechanical engineering, and this is...”

Kowell introduced the members of his group to Vice Principal Molotov, most of whom were university teachers or industry elites from East Africa.

Instantly, the enthusiasm grew, as Kowell’s group was mainly composed of engineering elites, which resonated with many of Tomsk Polytechnic University’s educators.

Molotov asked, ”Mr. Kowell, if I may be so bold, were you educated locally in East Africa or did you study in Europe before returning home to contribute?”

Kowell replied, ”There’s nothing to hide. I was indeed nurtured by the local education system but also received university education in Europe. I wonder if Vice Principal Molotov has heard of Germany’s Stuttgart Higher Technical College. I studied there for two years before graduating from my alma mater, Mombasa National University in the Rhine Empire.”

Molotov pondered for a moment and said, ”Stuttgart Polytechnic Institute, as the political center of Württemberg, I’m aware of it, though I’ve never visited it, having only studied in France. As for Stuttgart Higher Technical College, I’ve not heard of it, but if it’s a German institution, it should be commendable.”

”Regarding Mombasa National University and your current post at Mbeia National University, they seem even more unfamiliar to me, as information on the Rhine Empire is scarce, especially in the educational field.”

Kowell responded with a smile, ”Naturally, the Rhine Empire is relatively remote compared to Russia, and although many of our schools are competent, they don’t have much fame in Europe and America.”

These words left Molotov undecided, as he was keen on understanding the caliber of East African higher institutions.

Thus he said to Kowell, ”Mr. Kowell mentioned you are a mechanical instructor, and I myself specialize in chemistry. Our principal is adept at mechanics, but he is currently on business in Saint Petersburg, so unfortunately, I cannot engage with you in that subject, which is truly regrettable.”

Kowell waved his hand and said, ”For the principal to hold the position at Tomsk National Polytechnic University, he must be exceptional. Though our specialties differ, I am certain his academic level is high.”

Then, Kowell introduced a member from his group, ”This is Mr. Lemington from the Rhine Empire’s Harare Institute of Technology, who happens to be a chemist. I believe you and the principal have shared interests.”

In overseas exchanges, due to the entrenched geographic impression of East Africa, it had become the universal name for the region internationally, akin to how various dynastic names became standardized as ’Central Earth’ today.

Molotov, intrigued, looked at the young man Kowell recommended. Being titled a chemist by East Africa suggests exceptional achievements in East Africa’s chemical field, so Molotov decided to use Lemington as a point of entry to explore the caliber of East Africans.

”Hello, Mr. Lemington, as compatriots in the field, may I inquire...”

Lemington was evidently not as articulate as Kowell, quickly falling into Molotov’s line of inquiry. However, after some exchange, Molotov quickly ascertained Lemington’s genuine talent and that he had studied in Europe, even recognizing his European mentor.

”Professor Orakiel was your mentor; I’ve met him several times in Belgium, and we still correspond through letters. I am surprised to have a student as excellent as you, though he has never mentioned you.”

Lemington: ”After graduation, I returned home to work, and my communication with the mentor is primarily through letters, due to work reasons...”

Molotov thus understood, Lemington had notable achievements in East African academia but not much prominence in Europe and America, influenced by East Africa’s system.

In fact, since the 1990s, East African academia began to sprout some influence globally, though its educational system had just matured and started bearing fruit. At least Kowell’s alma mater, Mombasa National University, was known in the German Region.

However, for various reasons, academic exchanges between East Africa and Europe and America were limited, and as a newcomer, East Africa is still closing the gap, excelling only in a few fields globally.

Mechanics and chemistry clearly are the areas where East Africa falls short, so Molotov felt disappointed not seeing many highlights from Kowell and Lemington but acknowledged they were outstanding compared to others.

This was indeed so, as Kowell’s group wasn’t East Africa’s top talent; otherwise, they wouldn’t be in Tomsk, a Far Eastern city of Russia, engaging in talent introduction and academic exchange.