On January 25, Baikal State University received a delegation from the China-SCO Institute of Commerce and Economics (CSCO IET, Qingdao). The BSU administration discussed with the Chinese colleagues the prospects of cooperation in the implementation of joint educational programs, as well as scientific and career guidance activities.

The Chinese delegation included Wang Yuxiao, head of the International Relations Department, and Li Jiehan, specialist of the department. The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with Baikal University, whose priority areas are also economics and trade, and to work out issues of further cooperation.

Mikhail Kuz’min, Vice-Rector for BSU International Relation, welcomed the guests. During the introduction of the university, he noted that Baikal State University has a long and productive relationship with educational organizations in China.

"Today we realize joint projects with 20 universities in China. Therefore, more than half of our foreign students are citizens of the PRC. Our university has a wide range of programs in demand among Chinese students, there is a preparatory department for teaching Russian language, as well as centers of Russian-Chinese cooperation. Moreover, the International Department of BSU regularly organizes unique summer and winter language schools" - said Mikhail Kuz’min.

According to Wang Yuxiao, head of the International Relations Department, the China-SCO Trade and Economic Institute was inaugurated on January 13, 2022. Its main activity is to train highly qualified personnel for the countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

"The activity of the international exchange center of the China-SCO Trade and Economic Institute is aimed at developing cooperation with the best universities of the SCO countries, such as Baikal State University, in order to further build fruitful trade and economic relations within the framework of the implementation of the One Belt, One Road initiative," said Ms. Wang Yuxiao.

According to Mr. Li Jiehan, the China-SCO Trade and Economic Institute is ready to send students studying Russian for language internships at BSU, as well as to become a base for internships for students studying Chinese. Moreover, due to the trade and economic orientation of the two universities, there is a high interest in organizing joint educational programs and regular academic exchanges.

Mikhail Kuz’min, Vice-Rector for BSU International Relation, supported the proposals of the Chinese side and noted the readiness to accept Chinese students at BSU, to facilitate the organization of summer schools and obtaining certificates of knowledge of Russian as a foreign language for them. Moreover, he stressed the importance of joint career guidance activities (especially in Shandong province schools) for the further launch and effective implementation of joint educational programs.

The parties agreed on detailed elaboration of each direction of joint activities and further signing of relevant agreements.