On June 15–16, a series of events involving the university’s international partners took place at St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University (LETI). Delegations from Xuzhou University of Technology (China), Shandong College of Electronic Technology (China), and the China University of Electronic Science and Technology (China) visited LETI, along with distinguished guests from Vietnam, Syria, and Uzbekistan. The delegations’ visit coincided with the celebration of LETI’s 140th anniversary and included both discussions on practical matters related to strengthening and expanding cooperation and a cultural program: tours of the campus and the city, a visit to the Hermitage, and a concert.
As part of the foreign delegations’ visit, a roundtable discussion titled “The University’s International Activities: Experience, Challenges, and Prospects” was held, featuring Viktor Nikolaevich Sheludko, Rector of St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI.”
“Founded in 1886 as Europe’s first specialized university for electrical engineering, LETI remains a magnet for scientists from around the world to this day. We are proud of our history: the inventor Alexander Stepanovich Popov, the pioneer of Russian radio engineering Imant Freiman, and Nobel Prize laureate Zhores Ivanovich Alferov all worked here. This legacy compels us to be leaders, and LETI continues to set trends in the fields of artificial intelligence, wireless technologies, new materials, and biomedical engineering. International cooperation is one of our strategic priorities. Our partners are located in more than 90 countries. We are actively implementing joint educational programs, academic mobility programs, and collaborative research projects. In an era of global challenges, science and education know no borders. Only by joining forces, exchanging ideas, and working together to solve the most complex problems can we achieve breakthrough results that will contribute to the development of all humanity. May your visit lay the foundation for new joint projects and strong international friendships.” - Viktor Nikolaevich Sheludko, Rector of St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI”
Anastasia Andreevna Minina, Vice Rector for International Affairs at St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University (LETI), delivered a presentation. In particular, she noted that the university has 1,867 international students, accounting for 18 percent of the student body. The university participates in strategic federal programs and implements key research and educational initiatives aimed at providing cutting-edge training for engineering professionals in collaboration with industry partners.
“The university has developed and is successfully implementing a range of educational programs for international students: immersion in the university environment begins in the preparatory department with language and subject-specific training, further integration takes place through short-term winter and summer schools, and practical professional skills are reinforced during internships at LETI laboratories and partner facilities, including the ObninskTech International Scientific and Educational Center for Nuclear and Related Technologies. Systematic work is underway to develop and implement joint educational programs.” - Anastasia Andreevna Minina, Vice Rector for International Affairs at St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI”
The vice rector provided the attendees with a detailed overview of the legal, social, and academic support measures available to international students.
The discussion then turned to the most promising joint programs, mechanisms for helping international students adapt, and the development of academic mobility and internships.
In his remarks, Zhang Nong, Rector of Xuzhou University of Technology, noted the fruitful cooperation with LETI over many years and proposed solutions to emerging challenges that would allow for the development of comprehensive collaboration to effectively meet the needs of Chinese and Russian industry in the current context and based on many years of experience. The rector recalled that in 2014, the ministries of education of both countries approved a joint project between Xuzhou University of Technology Xuzhou University of Technology and LETI in the field of electrical machine automation using the “3+1” training model—a joint training format in which students complete part of the program at one institution and part at another. The creation of a flexible, adaptive, and effective educational environment is facilitated by the launch of educational programs in new engineering specializations and the implementation of the “Education 4.0” model, which is focused on training specialists for the Fourth Industrial Revolution using modern technologies and innovative approaches. However, there are a number of challenges: differences exist in educational systems and academic standards, and the language barrier hinders communication. At the same time, certain issues remain unresolved, including differences in educational systems and academic standards, the language barrier, the need for extensive language training for students, a shortage of Russian faculty members in China, and the need to expand academic exchange programs.
“The partnership between our universities is growing stronger year after year and proving to be effective. We remain committed to developing our collaboration with LETI. Our joint efforts are yielding results, despite new challenges that require a collaborative solution. The Joint Engineering Institute of LETI and Xuzhou University of Technology, which opened in 2023, is proving its relevance, and today we are discussing expanding both the range of programs offered and the number of students. We have developed a step-by-step plan to address the existing issues, so I am confident that we will resolve them together in the near future.” - Zhang Nong, Rector of Xuzhou University of Technology
In her welcoming remarks, Zhang Xin, Director of the Academic Affairs Department at Shandong College of Electronic Technology, emphasized the importance of cooperation with LETI in training engineering professionals to achieve technological sovereignty for both countries.
“This year marks two significant milestones in the history of Sino-Russian relations: the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership and the 25th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship, and Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. In May of this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited China, and Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered a speech at the opening of the China-Russia Year of Education in the Great Hall of the People, expressing his hope that the two countries would open up new opportunities for international cooperation in the field of vocational education. “I am confident that, after discussing all the prospects, we will find many areas of common ground for even more effective cooperation.” -
Zhang Xin, Director of the Academic Affairs Department at Shandong College of Electronic Technology
Other speakers included Niu Xiaobin, Dean of the School of Materials and Energy at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China (UESTC), and Waddah Al-Jundi, Director of the Russian-Arab Center for Cultural and Business Cooperation.
Nguyen Thanh Nghi, an honorary professor at St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI” from Vietnam, shared his memories of studying at the First Electrotechnical University, the university’s international recognition, and its significant contribution to training engineers for Vietnam.
Waddah Al-Jundi, Director of the Russian-Arab Center for Cultural and Business Cooperation, emphasized that in recent years, cooperation in the field of education with Middle Eastern countries has been significantly strengthened and expanded.
The guests were then accompanied by Alexander Anatolyevich Semenov, Vice Rector for Research and Innovation at St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI,” on a tour of the Science Park’s laboratories.
The day’s program included a working meeting between Viktor Nikolaevich Sheludko, Rector of St. Petersburg State Electrotechnical University “LETI,” and a delegation from Xuzhou University of Technology (China). The parties discussed opportunities to increase the number of degree programs and students at the Joint Engineering Institute.
The series of events concluded with a festive dinner at LETI, which offered guests another opportunity to immerse themselves in Russian culture: Russian cuisine was served, and a concert was organized featuring students from LETI’s vocal studio.
Through their participation in the academic mobility program, the students gained international experience and the opportunity to work on a real-world case study.
A blog tour aimed at attracting students from Algeria and Indonesia to Russia has kicked off in Tomsk. Journalists and bloggers from these countries are visiting leading Russian universities. The program in Tomsk began with a visit to Tomsk State University. Participants got a glimpse of the modern university environment, met with students, and toured engineering laboratories—including those for chemistry, implant design, and BAS programming, among others.
A delegation from Nanjing University of Science and Technology visited Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to develop a partnership between the two universities.
It brought together more than 200 representatives from 14 countries in Central and South America. The moderators and participants included representatives from the expert community, leading universities, and Rosatom’s partner universities. The main topics of the event were the application of nuclear technologies in the energy sector, their use in medicine and environmental projects, as well as the development of the Latin American region through youth cooperation and interaction with graduates of Russian universities.
Students from 16 countries took part in the concert.
