Executive Vice President WANG Lizhong leads delegation to Russia

In 2026, the China–Russia Years of Education officially commenced. To further strengthen practical cooperation with Russian universities, WANG Lizhong, Executive Vice President of Zhejiang University (ZJU), led a delegation to Russia from June 7 to 11.

At Lomonosov Moscow State University, WANG Lizhong met with Vice Rector Andrey A. Fedyanin, where the two sides exchanged a university-level cooperation agreement. WANG Lizhong introduced ZJU’s latest development and its vibrant innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, expressing hope for sustained collaboration in talent cultivation, research and innovation, and the building of a closer university-level partnership. Fedyanin provided an overview of Moscow State University and said he looked forward to deeper two-way mobility and expanded cooperation in areas of shared strength. During the visit, the delegation toured the Earth Science Museum of Moscow State University.

At the National Research University Higher School of Economics (HSE University), WANG Lizhong met with Vice Rector Elena Odoevskaia. The two sides exchanged views on institutional development strategies, disciplinary strengths, and global engagement. Both expressed hope that the China–Russia Years of Education would bring new momentum to student exchange programs, collaboration in the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary fields, and the continued deepening of the partnership between the two universities.

At Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, WANG Lizhong and his delegation met with Vice Rector Dmitry Arseniev and exchanged a strategic cooperation agreement. He introduced ZJU’s recent development and distinctive strengths, reviewed cooperation between the two universities in engineering, materials science, and economics, and expressed hope for further expanding faculty collaboration and developing high-level talent cultivation programs. Arseniev welcomed the proposal and emphasized the importance of strengthening faculty and student exchanges while advancing joint research and innovation in engineering and technology. On behalf of ZJU, WANG Lizhong presented A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The delegation also visited the PhysTech–Cyber Physics Research and Education Center and laboratories affiliated with the Institute of Machinery, Materials, and Transport.

At St. Petersburg State University, WANG Lizhong met with Vice Rector Sergei Andryushin. He introduced ZJU’s academic strengths and development priorities, and expressed hope for expanding cooperation in talent cultivation, faculty exchanges, joint research, and cultural engagement. Andryushin outlined St. Petersburg State University’s recent development and distinctive features, and said that he looked forward to leading a delegation to ZJU in the near future. He also expressed interest in strengthening two-way student mobility and exploring multilateral cooperation opportunities. WANG Lizhong presented A Comprehensive Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to St. Petersburg State University and visited the university’s Dmitri Mendeleev Museum and Archives.

During the visit, WANG Lizhong and his delegation also called on the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation and met with Minister ZHANG Wei to exchange views on higher education cooperation between China and Russia.

Representatives from the Office of Global Engagement, the School of International Studies, the Ocean College, and Chu Kochen Honors College participated in the visit.

Source: HU Linyuan, ZJU Office of Global Engagement
Translator: FANG Fumin
Editor: DING Chenwei