Heilongjiang University Delegation Visits INRTU to Discuss Cooperation
A delegation from Heilongjiang University in Harbin, led by Vice-Rector Jing Liqiang, visited INRTU to open the International Center for Chinese Language Education and sign an agreement on a joint educational project.
Representatives of the Consulate General of China in Irkutsk, led by Consul General Liu Yu, also attended the event. Their participation highlighted the importance of the meeting and further strengthened Russian-Chinese educational cooperation.
The new center will provide training opportunities for students preparing to teach Chinese as a foreign language in Russia and China.
Consul General Liu Yu congratulated the universities on the opening of the center. She said that it supports the goals of the Russia-China Years of Educational Cooperation, which officially began in May on the initiative of Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
“I warmly congratulate both universities on their strong cooperation. I hope today’s ceremony will open a new chapter for INRTU and Heilongjiang University and help both sides make the most of their strength. It is important to keep expanding our cooperation and achieve new results in education.
The Consulate General of China in Irkutsk will continue to support educational cooperation and cultural exchange between our peoples. I wish the center every success in training talented students,”
Liu Yu said.
Another important result was an agreement on a joint bachelor’s program in Chinese-language linguistics. It was signed by INRTU Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov and Heilongjiang University Vice-Rector Jing Liqiang. Students will study at INRTU in their third year in China. Graduates will receive an INRTU bachelor’s degree in Linguistics.
Stepan Bykov noted that Heilongjiang University is one of China’s leading centers for training Russian language specialists and translators. It is often described as a leading school for Russian language studies in China.
Jing Liqiang also highlighted the university’s long history. It began as a school for training military translators.
“Our university celebrates its 85th anniversary this year. It has become a strong example of China-Russia cooperation, academic exchange and linguistic research. We have long-term partnerships with 46 Russian universities and research institution”.
INRTU and Heilongjiang University have been working together for the past three years with the support of the Chinese Consulate General in Irkutsk. The universities have signed agreements on student exchange and research and educational cooperation. INRTU students take part in academic mobility programs, while Chinese teachers of Russian attend INRTU’s summer school for professional development.
In May 2024, an INRTU delegation visited Heilongjiang University for the opening of the Alliance of Chinese-Russian Universities for Language Education, established by Heilongjiang University and Moscow State Linguistic University.
In July 2026, an INRTU delegation led by Rector Mikhail Korniakov visited Heilongjiang University.
“During our July visit, we discussed ways to develop academic ties and joint research and educational projects. We are glad to meet again and continue working on our plans,”
Mikhail Korniakov said.
The meeting ended with a discussion of new joint programs in engineering and further cooperation in linguistics. The universities also plan to launch a joint bachelor’s program in Information and Communication Technologies and Communication Systems.
