On 26 June 2023, Penza State University hosted an online meeting with the management, teachers and students of Gannan Normal University. The parties agreed to hold this meeting during the visit of the delegation from Beijing Bridge Cultural Exchange Co. represented by director of the company Wang Tao and manager of the Department of International Educational Programmes Wu Yajing. The meeting was held at the premises of V.G. Belinsky Institute of Teacher Education.

The meeting was attended by Vice-Rector for International Affairs Gleb Sintsov, Director of the V.G. Belinsky Institute of Teacher Education Olga Surina, Dean of the Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology and Social Sciences Aleksandr Tugarov, Head of the Depart of Music and Methods of Teaching Music Tatyana Shipilkina, Head of the International Education Office Sergei Ivanchin, Head of the International Projects Department Tatiana Razuvaeva, as well as Chinese students of PSU Li Shutian, Li Runchun, Zhou Zijun, Lin Yuan, Zeng Fan and Wu Ziyi.

Gannan Normal University was represented by Head of International Exchange and Cooperation Department Mei Xiaojian, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Music Institute Zhu Yejin, Director of the Music Institute Wu Runhua, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Music Institute Gong Liming, Deputy Director of the Music Institute Huang Wenhua, Deputy Director of the Music Institute Xiao Yanping, Head of the Department of Music Wu Shaoliang, Head of International Projects Department Gao Xun, as well as 3rd-year students of the Music Institute.

In addition, the meeting was attended by the partners of Penza State University, namely manager of the Department of International Educational Programmes from Beijing Bridge Cultural Exchange Co. Wu Yajing and specialist of the Department of International Educational Programmes Xu Yuxi.

Vice-Rector for International Affairs Gleb Sintsov addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech:

“Partners from the People’s Republic of China occupy a special place for many years. One of the successfully implemented educational projects is the joint degree programme in the study field Teacher Education (course Music) together with Gannan Normal University. As part of this programme, students receive two diplomas from Penza State University and Gannan Normal University. We hope that this project will see further fruitful implementation”.

Head of International Exchange and Cooperation Department Mei Xiaojian at Gannan Normal University emphasized the important role of encouraging and strengthening joint cooperation in teaching Chinese students at Penza State University.

Director of the V.G. Belinsky Institute of Teacher Education Olga Surina told about learning and teaching of students from Gannan Normal University at the Department of Music and Methods of Teaching Music. She described the education, culture and adaptation activities carried out at the department and spotlighted students successes and achievements in performance and science:

“Students from the People’s Republic of China receive training in the best traditions of Russian classical music and master skills of choral conducting, as well as learn vocal and instrumental performance. International students are involved in all kinds of activities. Not a single cultural and educational event is held without their participation. Chinese students are very responsible, hardworking, sociable and committed to learning. They demonstrate great respect for teachers. We will be happy to continue cooperation with teachers and students of Gannan Normal University”.

In his speech, Head of the International Education Office Sergei Ivanchin outlined the organisational issues related to accommodation, medical care and social adaptation of international students. He also highlighted the opportunity for arranging bus transfer from Moscow to Penza on the students arrival to the Russian Federation.

Chinese students studying at the Faculty of Pedagogy, Psychology and Social Sciences briefly described their learning experience at PSU. They also answered questions from their peer students studying at Gannan Normal University.

The meeting culminated in words of gratitude for the ongoing joint work. Both sides expressed confidence in fostering further mutually beneficial cooperation between Penza State University and Gannan Normal University.