Visit of the Polytechnic delegation to Xi'an, China: key results of the third day

The third day of the official visit of the delegation of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to Xi’an has concluded. The key event was a ceremonial meeting dedicated to the 130th anniversary of Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) and the 70th anniversary of its relocation to western China. A working meeting was also held at the Joint Polytechnic Institute of SPbPU and Xi’an Technological University (XATU). The partners signed a cooperation agreement providing for the development and implementation of master’s and doctoral programs.

The ceremonial meeting took place at the Siyuan Student Center, bringing together government officials, academic community representatives, and international partners. First Vice-Rector of SPbPU Vitaliy Sergeev, on behalf of Polytechnic University, congratulated XJTU Rector Zhang Liqun and the entire university staff on these significant anniversaries, highlighting the long-standing fruitful friendship cemented by membership in the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR).

After the official part, the guests took part in a cultural program. They visited the world-famous Terracotta Army museum complex, where they were able to get a closer look at the ancient history of China.

The SPbPU delegation visited the Weiyang Campus of Xi’an Technological University, where the Joint Polytechnic Institute operates — one of the most successful Russian-Chinese educational projects. The Institute was opened on November 15, 2023, and has already trained more than 400 students in three bachelor’s engineering programs: mechanical engineering, materials science, and electric power engineering. Graduates receive double diplomas from both universities.

The meeting took place in the library of the second campus under the chairmanship of Niu Tongzhuang, Director of the International Department of XATU. The Chinese delegation was led by Yan Li, Vice-Rector of XATU, and the Russian side by Vitaliy Sergeev. Vice-Rector Yan Li presented the current state of affairs at the joint institute and expressed interest in deepening and expanding cooperation.

Vitaliy Sergeev confirmed SPbPU’s readiness to scale the successful experience of bachelor’s programs and develop master’s and doctoral programs, emphasizing that Polytechnic already implements dozens of joint programs with Chinese universities and possesses a strong research base.

The partners signed an agreement providing for the development by 2027 of the first joint educational programs at the post-bachelor’s level. In addition, the document provides for the development of academic mobility, joint supervision of dissertation research, and mutual recognition of learning outcomes.

The Joint Polytechnic Institute of SPbPU and XATU is an example of successful export of Russian engineering education to China. The new step of implementing master’s and doctoral programs will elevate the partnership to a new level and enable the training not only of bachelors but also of research personnel capable of solving complex technological problems.

After the successful launch of the bachelor’s program, it is logical to offer the best graduates the opportunity to continue their studies in the master’s and doctoral programs of Polytechnic. I am confident that our joint programs will become a magnet for talented youth from Shaanxi Province and other regions of China, noted Vitaliy Sergeev.