PetrSU Begins Cooperation with Harbin University
Petrozavodsk State University continues to actively develop strategic partnership with leading universities in China. Another significant step in this direction was a working meeting of representatives of PetrSU and Harbin University, held on June 10 2025 in an online format (Tencent Meeting platform).
On behalf of PetrSU, the negotiations were attended by key leaders responsible for international activities and philological education:
Marina Stanislavovna Gvozdeva - Head of the Directorate for International Affairs;
Oksana Gennadyevna Abramova - Director of the Institute of Philology;
Andrey Aleksandrovich Kotov - Head of the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Applied Linguistics of the Institute of Philology;
Alexey Aleksandrovich Rogozin - Head of the Department of International Projects and Programs.
Harbin University was represented by an equally high level of participants, led by Chen Si, Head of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department, Sun Yantao, Head of the Russian Language Department, Wang Liming, Dean of the Institute of Foreign Languages, Yuan Jing, Deputy Dean of the Institute of Foreign Languages, and heads of relevant departments.
During the two-hour meeting, the parties presented the potential of their universities and faculties (Institute of Foreign Languages of Harbin University and Institute of Philology of PetrSU), and then moved on to a substantive discussion of specific initiatives. The dialogue was highly interested and constructive, which made it possible to specify a roadmap for joint projects for the coming year.
Following the meeting, the parties agreed to implement the following significant joint programs:
1. Preparation of a memorandum of cooperation between Harbin University and Petrozavodsk State University.
2. Establishment of an online language club "Speaking Chinese and Russian" for students of both universities in order to develop oral communication skills and intercultural communication.
3. Organization of additional online courses of the Chinese language for students of the Institute of Philology of PetrSU, which will be taught by teachers of Harbin University.
4. Launch of the "Virtual Department" project between the Department of Russian Language of Harbin University and the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Applied Linguistics of PetrSU. It is planned to hold 2-3 joint online events per semester to exchange best practices in teaching, methodological developments and scientific research in the field of linguistics.
5. Development of joint scientific and methodological research, mutual participation in scientific conferences and seminars, involvement of scientists from Harbin University in publications in scientific journals of PetrSU.
6. Reader exchange (cross-lectures): organization of online lectures by PetrSU teachers for students of Harbin University and vice versa, including within the framework of teaching Russian as a foreign language.
7. Development of academic exchange programs and semester-long internships for PetrSU philology students studying Chinese and Harbin University students studying Russian.
8. Creation of joint summer language schools both in person at PetrSU and Harbin University and online.
“We did not just discuss ideas, but formed a clear plan of joint actions in eight key areas. This demonstrates the high level of trust and mutual understanding between our universities. It is especially valuable that the projects cover all aspects of academic life: from language practice by students to joint scientific research by teachers. Such multifaceted cooperation with a leading Chinese university certainly strengthens the international authority of PetrSU and opens up unique opportunities for our students and scientists,
- Alexey Rogozin said following the meeting.
The agreements reached mark a new, qualitative stage in the development of partnership between PetrSU and Harbin University. The implementation of these projects will make a significant contribution to the internationalization of education at PetrSU, improving the quality of language teaching and linguistic research, and will also help strengthen cultural and academic ties between Russia and China.
