April 18th, 2013. Foreign Students of leading universities of the Penza region gathered at the conference in Penza State University. The aim of the meeting was to establish and vote for the chair of Penza branch of the Association of Foreign Students in Russia. 

Gabriel Anicet Kotchofa (Ambassador of the Republic of Benin to Russia) and Yusuf Abasalleh (Ambassador of the Republic of Chad to Russia) were among the special guests of the student meeting.

Gabriel Kotchofa is the president of the Association of Foreign Students in Russia (the AFS), that has been operating since 1996 and presently includes 89 000 international students from 162 countries. Gabriel Kotchofa expressed his hope that the branch of the association in Penza would give students more support and better chances for communication. He was happy to see the conditions for study at the university and witness positive attitude toward international students. He thanked the rector for his active work.  

The students voted for the chair of Penza branch of the AFS. Mahamat Yaya Kishin, 6th year medical student of Penza State University, was chosen unanimously. He said that was a historic moment for many students of Penza. Mahamat Kishin also suggested organizing an Alumni Club, which would allow students to keep in touch after they finish their studies.