INRTU and Shandong University of Aeronautics Forge Plans for a Joint Sino-Russian Institute
INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov, during a working visit to the People's Republic of China, visited Shandong University of Aeronautics (SDUA) in Binzhou, Shandong Province. INRTU and SDUA have been successfully implementing a joint undergraduate program in Aircraft Engineering since 2022.
During the meeting, Rector Li Weiniang and Rector Mikhail Korniakov highlighted that the three years of successful collaboration provide a solid foundation for deepening the universities' partnership and elevating their cooperation to a new level.
The parties signed a memorandum of intent to establish a Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution without legal entity status. Plans are in place to launch three undergraduate programs and one master's program under the framework of the Sino-Russian institute.
Furthermore, Rector Mikhail Korniakov met with students who are set to complete their studies in the summer of 2026 and will become the first graduates of the joint English-language program.
Mikhail Korniakov invited the Chinese students to continue their education in master's programs at INRTU, especially since they are already well-acquainted with many INRTU's professors. As part of the educational process, about 15 doctors and candidates of science from the Irkutsk university deliver lectures and seminars at SDUA annually. The Chinese students highly appreciated the disciplines taught by the Russian lecturers.
Student Bi Mang Chang shared that the Russian lecturers provide foundational knowledge and explain complex material in an accessible way. He specifically highlighted the practical sessions conducted by Igor Bobarika, Associate Professor at the Department of Aircraft Engineering and Operation of Aviation Equipment (INRTU School of Aircraft Construction, Mechanical Engineering and Transport).
Оnly four female students are enrolled in the program, one of whom is Kong Chu Zha. According to her, it is more challenging for women to study in this field than for men, but they diligently complete all their assignments. She is particularly interested in the disciplines related to AI and computer science, taught by Professor Alexander Afanasiev. After completing her bachelor's degree, she plans to apply for a master's program at INRTU.
During the visit, Rector Mikhail Korniakov also met with five lecturers from INRTU who were on a teaching assignment at SDUA at that time.
This marks the third visit to the Chinese university for Ilia Shushpanov, an Associate Professor at INRTU Baikal School of BRICS. According to him, the Chinese students stand out due to their strong foundation in mathematics, which was laid during their school years. This common ground makes it easy to establish a rapport with them. He noted that the biggest challenge for Russian lecturers teaching in English is the students' language barrier.
"Our task is to engage the audience in the learning process despite the existing language barrier. Our professors gain valuable international experience, which they later incorporate into Russian-language educational programs. I am confident that after working in China, many teachers have revised and enhanced their course materials," Ilia Shushpanov stated.
