INRTU signed an agreement on a bachelor's degree program with DUFL within the framework of the Liaoning International Friendship Cities Conference
A delegation from INRTU, headed by Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov, took part in the 2026 Liaoning International Friendship Cities Conference. The event was held on June 9–12 in Shenyang.
The delegation included Assistant to the Rector Xia Shuang and Project Manager of the Department for International Scientific and Educational Projects Konstantin Khobta. The polytechnic representatives were invited to participate in the forum by Dalian University of Foreign Languages – one of INRTU's key partners in China. Within the framework of the conference, a working meeting was held with DUFL Rector Cong Mingcai, dedicated to the launch of joint educational programs.
The agreement reached in March 2026 during the working visit of the INRTU delegation to Dalian on launching a joint bachelor's degree program in the field of information technology (software engineering) was formalized by signing an agreement to submit an application for the Liaoning Province competition. The project is designed for 10 years, with student enrollment planned from 2027 to 2033 at 150 students per year, with one-third of the specialized disciplines to be taught by INRTU. The parties have already developed a detailed curriculum, including 18 professional courses to be delivered by INRTU. A teaching team of nine polytechnic instructors has also been formed. Upon completion of the program, graduates will receive two diplomas – from DUFL and INRTU.
In addition, the parties agreed to develop a master's degree program in artificial intelligence, which will open a new strategic direction of cooperation for INRTU. As noted by INRTU Vice-Rector for International Affairs Stepan Bykov, the agreements reached and the signed documents take the partnership between INRTU and Dalian University of Foreign Languages to a qualitatively new level, expanding opportunities for student academic mobility and the implementation of joint educational projects. Participation in the Liaoning International Friendship Cities Conference not only strengthened existing ties but also opened new prospects for cooperation with other universities in the region.
NOTES: Dalian University of Foreign Languages was founded in 1964 with the support of Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai. Today, it is a multidisciplinary university wh ere foreign language teaching is integrated with humanities, economics, law, technology, and management disciplines. The university comprises 20 institutes and faculties, 33 bachelor's degree programs, 25 master's programs, and a doctoral program in international relations. Instruction is offered in 10 foreign languages. DUFL actively develops international cooperation: partnerships have been established with more than 180 universities in 30 countries. The university hosts 8 Confucius Institutes abroad, as well as the second Russian Center in China (supported by the «Russkiy Mir» Foundation) and a Center for Russian-Chinese Student Exchanges. The university enrolls about 15,000 students and employs nearly 1,100 teaching and administrative staff.
