‘The Stronger the Friendship, the Shorter the Distance’: Chinese Delegation Visits HSE University
On June 4, HSE University’s Faculty of Urban and Regional Development met with representatives of Kunshan Industrial Technology Research Institute (KSITRI, China) in the HSE University building on Pokrovsky Bulvar. The faculty management and the Chinese delegation discussed the development of project, scientific, technical and educational cooperation.
Among the honourable guests from China were Deputy Mayor of Kunshan Municipal People’s Government Sun Yong, Chairman of KSITRI Pu Jingsong, Chairman of Kunshan Silk Road Yangcheng International Technology Transfer Guo Fengzhi, General Manager of Kunshan Silk Road Yangcheng International Technology Transfer Liang Chengfa and other representatives of the administration, the city’s science and technology bureau, and the logistics and industrial company management.
In addition to university presentations, the key discussions at the meeting focused on urban and regional development and the strengthening of international scientific, technical and educational cooperation. The Chinese partners emphasised the activities of HSE University as a leading national research university, as well as the Faculty of Urban and Regional Development, whose design, consulting, scientific and educational work has nationwide reach. The delegation from China assessed the scale of development and the interdisciplinary nature of the university and the faculty’s projects, the level of competence at solving the problems of urban development, transport, the economic and social aspects of studying the city as a system, and its ecology and architecture. The delegation members were also impressed by the building on Pokrovsky Bulvar. ‘We see a constructive approach to the preservation of historical heritage and the implementation of modern solutions in the university building’s architecture,’ they noted.
Sun Yong began his speech by saying: ‘The stronger the friendship, the shorter the distance.’ He praised the excellent reception organised by HSE University for the Chinese delegation and noted the importance of further strengthening scientific, technical and educational cooperation between HSE University and the Faculty of Urban and Regional Development with the city of Kunshan.
‘China and Russia plan to strengthen cultural exchanges, as well as cooperation in the sphere of education and sci-tech innovation,’ said Liang Chengfa. ‘Within these areas, our institute will serve as a bridge and a link to promote practical cooperation between the universities and institutes of Kunshan city, associations of enterprises, and HSE University in the fields of joint scientific and technological development, educational exchanges, innovative digital construction, and sci-tech innovation.’
China’s delegation expressed its respect and trust in HSE University, praised the reception, expressed hope for fruitful cooperation, and invited the faculty’s delegation to officially visit Kunshan, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The meeting resulted in the signing of a cooperation agreement between HSE University’s Faculty of Urban and Regional Development, Kunshan Industrial Technology Research Institute and the Kunshan International Advanced Technology Institute. The agreement covers further development of all strategic areas of cooperation, including education, science and projects.
Dean of the Faculty of Urban and Regional Development
‘The stable development of Russian-Chinese relations in science and technology is taking on a practice-oriented character. As the most interdisciplinary faculty in the field of urban and regional development, we aim to solve real practical problems in cooperation with our Chinese partners. The visit of our Chinese colleagues will open up new practical opportunities for the international development both of the university as a whole and of specific practice-oriented departments such as our faculty. These present new international horizons for our students and experts: student and academic mobility, internships in Chinese innovation clusters, exchange of experience, the joint implementation of research and applied projects, exchange programmes, and international practice. We will also pursue the comprehensive strategic development of cooperation with universities in Kunshan, Shanghai, and Guangzhou with the support of local government and partner organisations aimed at developing scientific and technical cooperation between Russia and China under the Belt and Road Initiative.’
‘We highly appreciate the important role and status of HSE University in strengthening cooperation between China and Russia in the future,’ said Guo Fengzhi. ‘In the future, we will innovate in science and technology and transform our joint achievements. Pragmatic and effective cooperation will be carried out in the fields of research, the joint creation of innovative, economic and trade platforms, and more. We also believe that mutual participation in the planning and organisation of major events for economic and trade innovation exchange between Russia and China will be the first step in our cooperation. HSE University is a reliable and pragmatic partner in cooperation with the Guangdong–CIS International Technology Cooperation Union. Through such exchanges and partnerships, it will also promote cooperation between Russia and other regions of China.’