Russia’s top university will open a branch in China, in the country’s rapidly developing Shenzhen free economic zone. The building will bring an iconic element of Moscow’s skyline to China.
On Monday, representatives of Lomonosov Moscow State University
(MSU), Beijing Institute of Technology and the local
administration signed an agreement to create a joint university
in Shenzhen.
The project is aimed at training skilled professionals in China
using MSU’s advanced educational programs and standards.
Those behind the project believe graduates of the new university
will be in demand not only in Russia and China, but everywhere
around the world.
The construction of the university facilities, the campus and the
operations of the academy will be funded from the Shenzhen
budget.
It’ll be in an area with “excellent infrastructure and
environment,” previously used to host the 2011 Summer
Universiade, the project’s press-release said.
The new university building will resemble the famous MSU high-riser in Moscow, with elements of Chinese architecture added to it.
Moscow State University will make an intellectual contribution to
the project, providing its educational programs, standards and
best practices, as well as some of its leading lecturers and
professors.
Lectures, seminars and tutorials at the joint university will be
conducted in three languages – Russian, Chinese and English.
According to an agreement that all the new academy’s students
enter, they will be obliged to undertake internships in leading
Russian and Chinese companies.
After completing their education program, graduates will receive
two diplomas – one from Moscow State University and one from the
joint university.
“It’s the first humanitarian project of such scale in
Russian-Chinese relations. The creation of a joint university
will enhance the reputation of Russian education, help promote
Russian language and culture and strengthen Russian-Chinese
relations in the humanitarian dimension,” the press-release
said.
The university will also provide Russian companies with a
platform to present their latest technologies and developments,
open research laboratories and trial production in the Shenzhen
free economic zone.