SPbPU delegation visited Xi'an Technological University as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations

A delegation of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) headed by Vice-Rector for academic affairs Ludmila Pankova visited Xi’an Technological University (XATU) to take part in the celebrations dedicated to the 70th anniversary of one of the leading technical universities in China.

This visit was an important step in the development of the long-standing strategic partnership between the two universities, which includes joint educational programs, scientific research and academic exchanges.

The meeting began with the reception of the SPbPU delegation by Professor Yao Yao, President of XATU, who noted that the cooperation between the universities, which officially began in 2018, is developing dynamically. During this time, significant progress has been made in joint projects, including the establishment of the Joint Polytechnic Institute in 2023, a key link in the training of engineering personnel for Russia and China. President Yao Yao proposed to expand cooperation on educational programs of master’s and postgraduate studies.

Ludmila Pankova conveyed congratulations from Andrei Rudskoi, Rector of SPbPU, Academician of the RAS, who in his address called XATU «a forge of talents» and emphasized that joint initiatives of the two universities have laid a solid foundation for long-term partnership. In their response, the Chinese colleagues expressed their gratitude for the support and noted that interaction with SPbPU opens up new opportunities for students and researchers from both countries.

The central event of the visit was the participation of the SPbPU delegation in the symposium on international education, where Ludmila Pankova made a report «A new model of personnel training to achieve technological leadership». In her speech, she shared SPbPU’s experience in implementing innovative educational programs aimed at training specialists capable of meeting the challenges of the global economy.

During the talks with Yang Li, vice-rector for education and international activities, and Nyu Tongjin, director of the Joint Polytechnic Institute of XATU-SPbPU, the parties discussed further development of cooperation, including expansion of student exchanges, joint research projects in the fields of new materials, artificial intelligence and energy, as well as deepening cooperation within the framework of the Joint Polytechnic Institute. The SPbPU delegation also visited the advanced laboratories and research centers of JPLI, where they got acquainted with the latest developments of Chinese scientists.

The visit ended on an optimistic note: representatives of both universities expressed confidence that the partnership between SPbPU and XATU will further promote the development of science, education and technology in Russia and China, strengthening friendly ties between the two countries.

«Our cooperation with Xi’an Technological University is not just about sharing knowledge, but creating a unified educational space where breakthrough ideas are born. The Joint Polytechnic Institute has become a living example of how Russia’s academic traditions and China’s innovative potential unite to train highly qualified specialists of the new generation — those who will define the technological landscape of tomorrow,» said Ludmila Pankova.