SPbPU took part in the World-Class University Presidents Forum & Expo at Xi’an Jiaotong University

On April 6, 2026, the World-Class University Presidents Forum & Expo began in Xi’an, China. A delegation from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), led by First Vice-Rector Vitaly Sergeev, arrived at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) to participate in celebrations marking the 130th anniversary of the Chinese university. The delegation also included Head of the International Education Department Evgeniya Satalkina, Head of the International Educational Programs and Academic Mobility Department Olga Emelianova, and Lead Manager of the SPbPU Representative Office in China Darina Balzhimaeva. On the first day of the visit, SPbPU representatives took part in key events, including a meeting of the Executive Board of the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR).

The program began with a meeting between XJTU Rector Zhang Liqun and the heads of leading partner universities. During the meeting, Vitaly Sergeev reaffirmed SPbPU’s commitment to long-term cooperation within the Alliance and expressed readiness to expand joint educational and scientific projects.

The central event of the day was the meeting of the Executive Board of the University Alliance of the Silk Road. It should be noted that SPbPU has been a member of the Alliance’s Executive Committee since November 2016 and is among the three Russian universities that are permanent members of UASR’s governing bodies.

During the meeting, chaired by UASR President Zhang Liqun, the attendees heard a report on the Alliance’s work and the plan for 2027, and considered the admission of new members. As part of the discussion on the development of cooperation, Vitaly Sergeev put forward a number of initiatives aimed at deepening interaction among the Alliance’s member universities:

• Invitation to participate in SPbPU project marathons, primarily in the international marathon «Smart City 2030: Sustainable Urban Development Management in BRICS Countries,» where international student teams are formed.
• Participation in Polytechnic University’s summer and winter schools, recognized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation as the largest in the country.
• Active involvement of talented students in the «Open Doors Russian Scholarship project», the winners of which receive grants for master’s and doctoral studies at SPbPU funded by the Russian budget.
• Encouragement of joint publications and applications for international grants, where Polytechnic University is ready to act as an initiator and reliable partner.

The program of the SPbPU delegation in Xi’an will continue with participation in the World-Class University Presidents Forum & Expo, the opening and participation of Polytechnic University in the World-Class Universities Exhibition, panel discussions, and a visit to the Joint Institute of SPbPU and Xi’an Technological University.