China-Russia cooperation centre launched at XJTLU

Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) established its Centre for China-Russia Humanitarian Cooperation and Development during a ceremony attended by a high-level delegation from the Moscow Region Government earlier this month.

Representatives from the Moscow Region and XJTLU

The delegation, led by Olga Zabralova, Advisor to the Governor of the Moscow Region, included senior officials from the region’s investment, industry, science and education sectors. The Russian representatives met with XJTLU leadership at the University’s X-Bar for the launch event.

Professor Qiuling Chao

During her keynote address, Professor Qiuling Chao, XJTLU Vice President for Information and Student Affairs, emphasised the centre’s role in strengthening educational and cultural ties between China and Russia. The centre will be jointly directed by Professor Chao and Artem Semenov, Advisor to the Governor of the Moscow Region.

Professor Qiuling Chao (left) and Artem Semenov unveil the new Centre for China-Russia Humanitarian Cooperation and Development

“The centre aims to provide an innovative platform for collaboration in education, culture, research, arts and trade between the two countries,” said Professor Chao. She highlighted XJTLU’s position as an institution that combines Chinese and British educational approaches while embracing both Eastern and Western cultures.

Olga Zabralova, Advisor to the Governor of the Moscow Region

The new centre’s initiatives will include the “Chinese Enterprises + Culture” project, which will support Chinese businesses, particularly those in Jiangsu province, in expanding into Russian markets. The centre will also facilitate direct exchanges between universities in both countries and develop specialised courses and training programmes.

Professor Qiuling Chao (left) and Ekaterina Sizintseva sign a memorandum of understanding

A key focus will be increasing student mobility between China and Russia, with XJTLU planning to expand its recruitment channels in Russia. The University aims to provide more opportunities for Russian students to study in China while experiencing a multicultural educational environment.

Kirsty Mattinson, Head of X-Global

The centre’s organisational structure includes dedicated administrative, project and publicity departments to ensure efficient operation and management of various cross-cultural initiatives.

Dr Xin Bi, Director of the Centre for Knowledge and Information and Chief Officer of Data

The launch ceremony featured the centre unveiling and discussions on potential collaborations, particularly in course development through XJTLU’s Learning Mall platform and student recruitment via X-Global, the University’s international development arm.

Jing Wang, Deputy Director of XJTLU Learning Mall

In addition to Zabralova and Semenov, the delegation from Moscow Region included Ekaterina Zinovieva, Deputy Chair of the Government of the Moscow Region and Minister of Investment, Industry and Science; Evgeny Podlipensky, First Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Science; Sergey Kukolev, Deputy Minister of Education; and Ekaterina Sizintseva, Director of the Dolgikh Regional Technological Lyceum.

The establishment of this centre marks another step in XJTLU’s internationalisation strategy and reflects the growing educational ties between China and Russia. The initiative aims to foster deeper understanding and cooperation between the two countries through educational and cultural exchange programmes.

Edited by Patricia Pieterse
Photos by Jingrui Duan