On November 18, a delegation from Lanzhou City University (People's Republic of China) paid an official visit to Penza State University. During the visit, the guests met with the rector of Penza State University and other university representatives at a roundtable discussion. The meeting discussed prospects for developing cooperation between the educational institutions.

Penza State University Rector Aleksandr Guliakov welcomed the guests and noted that China closely cooperates with Russia, including with its universities. "300 Chinese students are currently studying at Penza State University, primarily in the programmes of Russian as a Foreign Language, Music, Physical Education, and International Economics. Lanzhou City University is one of our most important partners," said Aleksandr Guliakov.

Mu Lugui, Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party of China at Lanzhou City University, who led the delegation, expressed gratitude to Penza State University for organizing the visit. He spoke about the university and emphasized its interest in developing bilateral relations.

Other members of the Chinese delegation included: Yu Youjun, Director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering; Rao Honghong, Director of the Department of Master’s and Postgraduate Studies; Song Zikun, Deputy Director of the Department of Mass Media of the Communist Party of China; Liu Jin, Director of the Institute of Music; and Wei Wei, Head of the Office of External Affairs the International Cooperation Department.

During the meeting, PSU Rector Aleksandr Guliakov recalled that in 2023, the university joined the Belt and Road University Alliance. The goal of the alliance is to jointly explore the development of global higher education, international exchanges, and cooperation in the new era with universities from many countries along the Silk Road.

In his speech, Mu Lugui emphasized that September 2025 marked 20 years of active collaboration between Lanzhou and Penza universities.

Presenting Penza State University, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Gleb Sintsov emphasized that collaboration with Lanzhou City University opens new horizons for academic and scientific cooperation. He noted the significant potential for joint educational and research projects that will enhance the quality of education and strengthen the international standing of both universities.

The meeting participants emphasized the active development of joint academic mobility programmes. In recent years, 13 PSU students completed a semester of training in "Chinese Language and Culture" at Lanzhou City University. They also participated in the "Introduction to Chinese Culture" spring school as part of their academic exchange. The parties acknowledged the positive experience of implementing the network Master’s degree educational programme in International Economics and Business, during which students spend their first semester at the Chinese university and their second and third semesters at PSU. From 2017 to 2025, 72 students completed the programme.

Furthermore, plans were announced to implement the online Master's degree programme "Materials Science and Technology of New Materials " starting in 2026. The training will be held in English. Dr Andrey Rozen, Head of the Department of Welding, Foundry, and Materials Science, presented the programme.

An important outcome of the meeting was the signing of a bilateral agreement on developing cooperation towards the implementation of the new joint educational programme. The document was signed by PSU Rector Aleksandr Guliakov and Mu Lugui.

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