INRTU and Chinese Universities Initiate Strategic Partnership
The INRTU delegation officially visited several Chinese universities to expand cooperation and establish new partnerships. From November 21 to 27, INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov, Assistant to the Rector for Chinese affairs Xia Shuang, and Head of the Department of Jewelry Design and Technology Raisa Lobatskaya visited Tianjin University of Technology, Tiangong University, Shandong University of Aeronautics (formerly Binzhou University), Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou, the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), and Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The interactions highlighted the importance of international collaboration in higher education and the common goal of improving educational methods and outcomes.
During his visit, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov participated in the World Conference on the Development of Vocational and Technical Education held in Tianjin, Northern China. The event gathered more than 1,000 delegates. During the conference, the Tianjin Consensus on the Development of Global Vocational and Technical Education was considered and adopted, creating a new platform for international cooperation in this field.
Tianjin University of Technology is INRTU's long-standing partner. Over the past four years, over 30 INRTU students have visited this Chinese university within academic mobility programs. Tianjin University of Technology has expressed its intention to launch joint educational programs, facilitate academic exchanges for teachers and students, and develop research cooperation between the two universities.
During a recent meeting with the administration of Tiangong University, the possibility of establishing a joint renewable energy education program was discussed. This program would allow students to spend two years at INRTU and another two years at the Chinese university.
Since 2021, INRTU has been implementing a joint educational project with Shandong University of Aeronautics (SDUA), formerly Binzhou University, aimed at training bachelors in Aviation Engineering. The program currently has 249 Chinese students pursuing engineering disciplines related to aircraft manufacturing. Sixteen INRTU faculty members are actively involved in this initiative, teaching courses in English and making regular visits to the Chinese university. During the visit, both parties evaluated the results of their existing collaboration and discussed the establishment of a new double degree program in engineering.
SDUA has around 20,000 students enrolled. The university has partnerships with universities in France, Australia, the United States and Russia.
A significant highlight of the visit to Chinese universities was the signing of Memorandum of Understanding between INRTU and Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou. The agreement was signed on the Chinese side by the university's Vice President, Professor Qiulin Zhao, and on the Russian side by INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov. The parties pledged to promote educational and cultural interests, as well as cooperation in scientific research and international exchange programs for students and teachers.
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is located in Suzhou, one of China's economically developed centers. The campus is located in the Suzhou Industrial Park, the Chinese equivalent of Silicon Valley. This area is home to many innovative companies that actively involve students in their operations. During the visit to the Chinese university, both parties reached an agreement on student exchange programs with a focus on technological entrepreneurship.
Another important cooperation agreement was signed with the School of Social Sciences at Tsinghua University. Today, Tsinghua University is one of China's top two institutions, one of the country's nine elite universities, and among the top 20 in global rankings such as THE WUR and QS.
The INRTU delegation visited the International Education and Innovation Experimental Zone in Lianshui County, Hainan Province, South China. This unique global project aims to create a platform for cooperation between Chinese and international universities, provide world-class education services, and implement innovation in the education sector. The plan to build this experimental education zone was approved in 2019. Covering an area of approximately 12.72 km², it is located in the southeastern part of Hainan Island. The area is currently undergoing significant infrastructure development. As part of the agreement between INRTU and China University of Geosciences (Beijing), it is planned to launch joint educational programs in telecommunications technology and jewelry design within the Hainan pilot zone by 2026.
Photo credit: Stepan Bykov
