ZJU delegation visits Russian universities

ZHENG Qiang, deputy secretary of the CPC Zhejiang University Committee, led the ZJU Graduate Art Troupe and a delegation of ZJU postgraduate students to visit Moscow State University (MSU), Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech), the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE) and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU) on Nov. 20-23.

MSU is the highest-ranked and largest university in Russia. ZHENG Qiang met with Yuri A. Mazei, Vice-rector for International Affairs. “MSU is actively promoting international exchanges and cooperation, which is closely aligned with the ZJU Global program. I hope that MSU and ZJU will make concerted efforts to carry out more substantive cooperation in student and faculty exchange programs, research and education,” ZHENG Qiang said.

While meeting with Clement Fortin, interim provost and dean of Faculty at Skoltech, and Alexander Safonov, vice president for Development at Skoltech, ZHENG Qiang stressed that ZJU attached immense importance to promoting entrepreneurship and innovation education from a global perspective, cementing ties with world-renowned institutions or universities, and getting integrated into the international entrepreneurship and innovation education network in an active and spontaneous manner.

“As a Russian innovation and sci-tech center, Skoltech assumes responsibility for promoting Russian’s economic transformation and fulfilling the dream of building a scientifically and technololically strong nation. We hope to join hands with ZJU to enhance postgraduate entrepreneurship and innovation education programs and pioneer in inter-disciplinary domains,” Clement Fortin said.

The delegation also visited the UNESCO IITE and held a talk with Director ZHAN Tao. “At present, international talent cultivation has been elevated to national strategy. We look forward to a more intimate partnership and more extensive exchanges with the UNESCO,” ZHENG Qiang said. ZHAN Tao expressed his warm welcome to ZJU students to intern and work in the UNESCO and engage in global governance.

At SPbPu, ZHENG Qiang and Vice-Rector for International Relations Dmitry G. Arseniev exchanged ideas with each other on student exchange programs, research cooperation, faculty exchange programs and innovation and entrepreneurship education. Since 2015, the two universities have partnered closely with each other. In 2019, SPbPU will celebrate its 120th birthday. Dmitry G. Arseniev extended his cordial invitation to ZJU on behalf of the university.

On Nov. 21 and Nov. 23, the ZJU Graduate Art Troupe held two folk music concerts at Skoltech and SPbPU. Their dazzling performance was greeted with waves of thunderous applause.