INRTU Opens Joint Engineering Institute with Hebei North University (China)
A great opening ceremony was held for the joint international engineering institute of INRTU and Hebei North University (HNU). This is the first educational institute was launched by INRTU with the university of the People's Republic of China, as part of the Years of Russia-China Education Cooperation (2026–2027)
The event took place in Zhangjiakou (Hebei Province) and brought together the leaders of both universities, government officials, honored guests, and students of the new institute. The Russian delegation included INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov, Assistant to the Rector for Chinese Affairs Xia Shuang, senior lecturer at the Baikal School of BRICS Klimentiy Batoroev, and Executive Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing Alexandr Guptor. The Chinese side was represented by Yan Liyan, Deputy Mayor of the People's Government of Zhangjiakou, Niu Chunyu, Party Committee Secretary of Hebei North University, as well as the faculty and staff of Hebei North University.
The opening of the institute is the result of years of work and strategic partnership between the two universities. As was noted, the establishment of the international engineering institute is an important step in implementing educational initiatives and strengthening ties between Russia and China.
Party Committee Secretary of Hebei North University noted the historical significance of the moment for the province and the entire region:
“Today, we are opening a new page in the history of our university. I express my sincere gratitude to everyone who took part in the preparation of this project. Building on the strengths and quality educational resources of the two universities, the HNU-INRTU International Institute will focus on training engineering professionals, combining the best features of the Chinese and Russian educational systems”.
Addressing the freshman students, he said:
"The joint institute provides you with a unique opportunity to study under teachers from China and Russia and to pursue double-degree programs. I hope you will cherish this opportunity, focus on mastering professional knowledge, actively adapt to the international learning model, and persistently overcome language barriers".
INRTU Rector Mikhail Korniakov addressed the participants of the ceremony with a welcoming speech. He congratulated everyone on this momentous event and noted the strategic importance of the project for the development of Chinese-Russian educational cooperation:
"INRTU has strong traditions in engineering education, and we aim to train not just engineers, but multidisciplinary specialists who understand the culture of both countries and possess a global perspective. Graduates will receive bachelor's degrees from both universities - INRTU and Hebei North University - which will open up broad opportunities for them in the labor markets of both countries."
INRTU Rector highlighted that upon completing their bachelor's studies, students can enroll in master's programs at INRTU.
Established by decision of the PRC Ministry of Education in 2025, the new institute has already welcomed its first 204 Chinese students. Training takes place at the Zhangjiakou campus, using the resources and educational methodologies of both universities.
Students have begun their studies across three bachelor's degree programs: "New Energy Sources and Energy Engineering", "Data Science and Big Data Technology", and "Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science".
Alexandr Guptor, Executive Director of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, congratulated the participants on the opening of the new institute. According to him, joint educational projects form the most stable foundation of interstate partnership:
“Experience shows it is precisely joint educational projects—whether double-degree programs, joint institutes, or academic exchanges—that form the most stable foundation of interstate partnership, because they work not only with the present day, but also with the future - with those who, in a few years, will become engineers, scientists, and enterprise leaders in Russia and China”.
On behalf of the Russian Cultural Center in Beijing, Alexandr Guptor presented Hebei North University with books in Russian.
As part of the ceremony, an official certificate was presented to INRTU Vice-Rector Stepan Bykov, appointing him as the Dean of the International Engineering Institute from the Russian side for a term of five years.
The participants were congratulated on the opening of the joint institute via video link by Zhai Haihong, member of the Standing Committee of the 14th Hebei Provincial People's Congress, and Fang Jun, Chairman of the Branch for Joint Educational Programs with Foreign Partners of the China Association for International Education.
The grand ceremony concluded with a speech by Su Yamin, a student of the HNU-INRTU joint institute, who, on behalf of all the freshmen, promised to approach his studies responsibly, diligently master engineering disciplines, expand his international outlook, and improve his foreign language skills.
