Vice-Rector of INRTU Stepan Bykov was awarded the status of "Honorary Doctor of MSUE" at the II Forum of Regions of Russia and Mongolia

Vice-Rector for International Affairs of INRTU Stepan Bykov took part in the II Forum of Regions of Russia and Mongolia as part of the Priangarye delegation. During the visit, at a meeting of the Academic Council of the Mongolian State University of Education, he was awarded the title of "Honorary Doctor of MSUE."

The Second Forum of Regions of Russia and Mongolia was held on September 14-15 in Ulaanbaatar. This congress is considered one of the largest and most significant bilateral public events on the Russian-Mongolian interregional agenda. The event is aimed at expanding interregional cooperation and creating new partnerships in the spheres of economy, trade, tourism, transport and logistics, education and culture.

The Priangarye delegation was headed by the Governor of the Irkutsk Region,Igor Kobzev. An important outcome of the work of the group of representatives at the forum was the signing of a number of agreements and foreign trade contracts between enterprises. Among them are contracts for the provision of cargo transportation services, for the supply of canned meat from Mongolia, and for the export from Priangarye of coniferous tree seedlings and construction materials. Contracts were also concluded for the provision of dealership services and for the supply of polymer plastic. The total value of the signed documents exceeds 680 million rubles.

During the visit to Mongolia on September 15, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of INRTU Stepan Bykov took part in a meeting of the Academic Council of the Mongolian State University of Education. In a ceremonial setting, he was presented with an academic gown and a medal and congratulated on being awarded the title of "Honorary Doctor of MSUE."

During the award ceremony, the Rector of MSUE, Professor Zhamyansurengiin Batbaatar, noted that Stepan Bykov has been actively cooperating with the university for many years, showing personal initiative and dedication in implementing many joint educational projects and programs.

"This honorary title is not only a recognition of your research and professional activities, but also a vivid expression of high appreciation of your personal contribution to the development of cooperation between Mongolia and the Russian Federation in the field of education and science, as well as of many years of stable and fruitful partnership with our university."

The Rector of MSUE is confident that the awarding of the honorary title does not mean the completion of cooperation, but on the contrary, serves as the beginning of its transition to a new stage and further expansion:

"Many joint initiatives in the field of education, science, development of teaching staff, student exchange and international cooperation lie ahead of us. May the cooperation between Mongolia and Russia in the field of education and science, as well as the friendly relations and partnership between MSUE and INRTU, continue to strengthen and expand!"

In his response, Stepan Bykov emphasized the importance of this event:

"It is a great honor for me to receive the title of Honorary Doctor of the Mongolian State University of Education. Your university occupies a special place in the life of Mongolia. It is here that teachers are trained — those on whom it depends what the next generations will grow up to be and what the future of the country will be like. Therefore, our cooperation with you is of strategic importance. It makes a real contribution to the development of Russian-Mongolian relations, the strengthening of friendship and mutual understanding between our peoples through education and culture."

The Vice-Rector for International Affairs highlighted the key initiatives linking INRTU and MSUE:

"In recent years, we have been implementing several systemic projects together. School teachers of Russian language from Mongolia come to Irkutsk Polytechnic every year for summer professional development programs, which allow them to share experience, learn something new, and visit Lake Baikal. Together with the Institute of Mathematics of MSUE, we provide professional development for mathematics teachers in a similar format. And it has already become a tradition that every winter a whole group of Russian-language students comes to us for a six-month language internship. These projects have been running for several years now and prove their relevance."

Stepan Bykov thanked the leadership and staff of MSUE for the high honor and for many years of trust:

"I would like to express special gratitude personally to dear Erdenemaam, who actively participates every year in organizing INRTU events dedicated to the development of Russian-Mongolian relations. Thanks to his organizational assistance, we visit schools in various aimags of Mongolia together, hold concerts and olympiads. Without this help, much of it simply would not have happened. We greatly appreciate it."

Let us recall that since 2025, the well-known Mongolian Russian studies scholar, Professor of MSUE Sosorbaramyn Erdenemaam, has been a visiting professor at Irkutsk Polytechnic. He is currently actively teaching Russian to Mongolian students studying at INRTU in various engineering fields.

Stepan Bykov emphasized the importance of the partnership between the universities:

"It enriches our international environment, allows our students and faculty to be part of a living dialogue of cultures, and most importantly, together we are training the professionals who will determine the future of our countries. I am confident that our cooperation will only grow stronger and bear new fruit for the benefit of Russia and Mongolia."

Vice-Rector for International Affairs of INRTU, on behalf of the university, congratulated MSUE on its 75th anniversary and presented a commemorative gift.