INRTU and Heilongjiang University are planning to develop scientific and academic cooperation
On June 10, a delegation from Heilongjiang University (HLJU, Harbin) visited INRTU. Representatives of Russian and Chinese universities discussed the prospects for cooperation in academic exchange, education, and the launch of a joint research laboratory.
The history of HLJU began 80 years ago with the establishment of the Russian Language Group in Harbin. Today, the university has 35,000 students mastering professions in engineering, natural sciences and humanities. The university is known as a major center for training translators and diplomats with competence in Russian language. Among the graduates of HLJU there are five winners of the A.S. Pushkin Prize.
The foreign delegation was led by Vice Rector for International Affairs Jing Liqiang and Zhao Chunlu, Consul for Education of the Consulate General of the People's Republic of China in Irkutsk.
Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Vladimir Smirnov emphasized that traditionally the strongest areas of the University are subsurface mining and mechanical engineering. The university provides education to 18 thousand students, including more than a thousand students from 44 countries. The INRTU status as a National Research University helps it develop international cooperation.
According to Vice Rector Stepan Bykov, the staff of INRTU has close ties with the People's Republic of China. For example, most of the foreign students (over 460 people) are Chinese citizens. There is a master's program in the field of Russian-Chinese specialized translation. Irkutsk Technical University and Chinese universities develop joint educational and scientific projects in the field of power engineering, aircraft engineering and geosciences. There are plans to open a Confucius Institute in Irkutsk.
Stepan Bykov offered his colleagues from Harbin to consider organizing student exchanges and launching a dual degree program in Russian-Chinese translation. He also invited HLJU teachers of Russian to attend professional development courses, implying training, immersion in the ethno-cultural environment and acquaintance with the nature of Lake Baikal.
Vice Rector Jing Liqiang supported his Russian colleague's suggestions. He was very impressed by the video about the life and studies of his compatriots at INRTU
"Judging by the video, Chinese students love studying here. Your university is developing in the right way. Heilongjiang University should learn from INRTU's experience in promoting academic mobility programs. In addition, we are interested in cooperation in science. I suggest opening a joint laboratory specializing in chemistry and geology. I believe that our universities can conduct research in the humanities, such as law, political science, and economics in the Far East and Northeast of China. We are also interested in mutual participation in summer schools.
We are open to cooperation and look forward to your colleagues' return visit to Heilongjiang University," Jing Liqiang said.
In the near future, the teams will prepare draft memorandums of understanding and cooperation agreements.
