INRTU and Hebei North University Launch a Joint International Institute of Engineering
The Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China has officially approved the establishment of the joint International Institute of Engineering by Hebei North University and Irkutsk National Research Technical University (INRTU).
The new structural entity is a Chinese-foreign cooperative educational institution operating without forming a separate legal entity.
It should be noted that cooperation between INRTU and Hebei North University has been ongoing for over five years. In September 2023, the universities signed an agreement and submitted an application to the Ministry of Education of China to open the joint International Institute of Engineering.
As part of the project, Chinese students will be offered such cutting-edge undergraduate majors as New Energy Science and Engineering, Data Science and Big Data Technology, and Computer Science and Technology. All programs are aligned with China’s National Program for general higher education. Up to 100 students will be enrolled annually in each major, with the total number not exceeding 1200. Students will be simultaneously admitted to both universities – INRTU and Hebei North University. Instruction will be conducted in Chinese and English by faculty from both institutions. Graduates will receive diplomas from both the Chinese and Russian universities. The first intake of Chinese applicants is scheduled for the autumn of 2026.
"This is a landmark event for our university, and we are grateful to our Chinese partner, Hebei North University, for their trust and support in launching this new educational project. No doubt, this initiative will strengthen our university's presence in China and expand the opportunities for developing Russian-Chinese educational cooperation. Such cooperation tests our university's compliance with international standards and facilitates the training of highly qualified specialists who possess both practical professional skills and an international perspective," said INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov. "The opening of the joint International Institute of Engineering with INRTU is an important step in implementing China's strategy for developing international educational cooperation in the field of high fields. We are combining our strengths: INRTU's research traditions in resources and energy, and the dynamic development of Hebei North University in digital technologies. For our students this is a unique opportunity to earn degrees from both countries and become sought-after specialists in the global market. I am confident this project will become a model for successful cross-border educational partnership," said Vice President of Hebei North University, Mr. Ma Xiaoshun.Going forward, Hebei North University plans to utilize the institute as a primary cooperation platform with INRTU to establish joint research laboratories, implement joint research projects, and simultaneously offer unique educational programs, such as multilingual intensive courses and transnational internships. The institute will focus on training well-rounded specialists with a solid professional foundation, a broad international outlook, and intercultural communication skills, thereby contributing to the modernization of the Russian and Chinese economies.
