China and Russia Launch Two New Joint Universities as Bilateral Education Cooperation Deepens

China and Russia have signed agreements to establish two new joint higher education institutions, expanding bilateral cooperation in advanced technology, mineral resources, research and talent development.

The agreements were signed on October 21 during the 31st regular meeting between the Chinese and Russian prime ministers in St Petersburg.

The first agreement brings together the government of Shandong province and Shandong University on the Chinese side, and the government of Russia’s Republic of Tatarstan and Kazan Federal University on the Russian side to establish the China-Russia University of Advanced Technologies (CRuTech).

The second agreement involves Taiyuan University of Technology and St Petersburg Mining University, which will jointly establish the China-Russia Institute of Mineral Resources.

New university to focus on advanced and emerging technologies

CRuTech will be led by Shandong University and Kazan Federal University, drawing on higher education resources from both countries.

The university will focus on areas aligned with the strategic priorities of China and Russia, particularly emerging and future industries. Its planned activities will include joint educational programmes, collaborative research and the development of high-level international talent.

The partners aim to develop CRuTech into an international platform integrating talent development, research and innovation, and the translation of research into practical applications.

The initiative is intended to strengthen the two countries’ capacity to develop strategic scientific and technological talent while supporting cooperation in sectors identified as national priorities.

Joint institute to train specialists in mineral resources

The China-Russia Institute of Mineral Resources will be jointly led by Taiyuan University of Technology and St Petersburg Mining University.

The two universities plan to adopt a dual-campus model, creating a joint institution operating across both campuses.

The institute will initially offer integrated undergraduate-to-master’s training in three fields: chemical engineering and technology, mining engineering, and safety engineering.

The universities also plan to establish a regular cooperation mechanism and hold the first working meeting and academic forum of the institute later this year.

The initiative is expected to provide a long-term platform for cross-border academic exchange, encouraging closer interaction between faculty and students from the two universities and strengthening academic and personal ties.

Education cooperation set to expand during China-Russia “Year of Education”

The new agreements come as China and Russia prepare for the 2026–27 China-Russia Year of Education, designated by the two countries’ heads of state.

In an interview in August, Zhang Hanhui, China’s ambassador to Russia, said China had identified 197 key activities and projects for the education year.

The initiatives cover higher education, vocational education, basic education and teacher education, with cooperation spanning talent development, joint research, academic forums and conferences, youth exchanges, faculty visits and language education.

According to figures released by Chinese education authorities and official channels, the number of students studying between China and Russia in both directions has surpassed 80,000.

Chinese and Russian universities have also established more than 150 joint educational institutions and programmes, while the two countries have created 15 university alliances, bringing together more than 800 higher education institutions.

The latest agreements signal a further expansion of China-Russia university cooperation, with the two new institutions expected to place greater emphasis on strategic industries, applied research and international talent development.