The summer school season at the Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University has come to an end. The last group of students to attend were from the Chinese University of Mining and Technology in Xuzhou. Over the course of two weeks, they attended lectures, participated in workshops, practiced on simulators, and explored the northern capital and its industries as part of field trips.
Jintuo Zhu, a teacher who accompanies students from China, noted that the oldest technical university in Russia is known as "a world-class academy" and has been making a significant contribution to the training of mining engineers for over 250 years. Despite its venerable age, the university remains a pioneer in many areas, modernizing its curriculum to meet the challenges of the times and introducing the latest technologies into the educational process.
«St. Petersburg Mining University has an excellent laboratory base, which enables students to gain not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills. This significantly increases their level of competence and their value on the job market. Another important aspect is the high quality of the teaching staff. Most of the teachers have first-hand experience in the field and know exactly what they are teaching.», - Jintuo Zhu commented on the results of a short-term internship in the city on the Neva River.
Jiawei Song, a student, said that the lectures he attended allowed him to get "a comprehensive understanding of modern mining technologies." In particular, they were devoted to the creation of digital twins, the use of neural networks, risk analysis in the design of mines, and the assessment of the profitability of deposits. And, most importantly, "the program was designed in such a way that theory was successfully combined with practice."
«Most importantly, I remember the classes on topics such as rock mechanics, underground mining, production process management, and occupational safety culture. The course was very holistic and systematic, with lectures in the classroom alternating with classes on simulators and visits to a mountain rescue station and a subway tunnel under construction. In my opinion, this combination allowed us to make the most of our internship, despite its relatively short duration.», - Jiwei Song said.
It was the practical trips that had the greatest impact on Maya Ahn. In particular, the "Smart Work" training grounds of the GASU University, which is a training ground for getting acquainted with the Russian emergency rescue system and practicing skills that help minimize injuries.
«Such student exchanges are a great opportunity to learn more about the specialty you are studying, to better understand your career prospects. As for issues related to occupational safety, they are always in the spotlight. Therefore, the imitation of rescue operations that we carried out, wearing protective masks and helmets, of course, was extremely useful. It is quite possible that this experience will be useful to us in the future and will allow us to save someone's life.», - says Mei An..
Yan Zha, a student, had a keen interest in Russian history and culture prior to his visit to our country. The visit provided him with an opportunity to "gain new knowledge in this field, broaden his horizons, and be inspired to reach new academic heights". Additionally, he hoped to improve his spoken Russian by communicating with native speakers.
«I really tried to communicate with the locals in Russian. At first, it was very difficult, but over time, I found that my speaking skills had improved significantly. This allowed me to understand Russia better and learn more about your country. I have always been interested in the events of the early 18th century and the reforms of Peter the Great. I read the works of outstanding writers like Dostoevsky and Tolstoy. My visit to St. Petersburg and its museums and architecture made a deep impression on me, even though it was quite brief. We visited the Winter Palace, which houses an amazing collection of art from the Renaissance to the Impressionists. We also climbed the walls of the Peter and Paul Fortress and were treated to a magnificent view of St. Petersburg opened in front of us..It's a truly beautiful city.», - Yan zha shared his emotions.
Another Chinese student, Xuxin Huang, is also convinced that summer schools are "not only new competencies, but also integration at the level of horizontal ties, which is extremely necessary to strengthen international cooperation." For him, the internship at the Mining University was his first study visit to Russia. It allowed the young man not only to gain knowledge that is in demand in the profession of a mining engineer, but also to "somewhat change the way of thinking and develop intercultural communication skills."
«Personally, the Museum of the Mining University left the deepest impression on me. It houses more than 240 thousand various objects, including collections of ores, meteorites, and paleontological fossils. These collections not only showcase the variety of natural wonders but also the rich cultural and historical heritage that the St. Petersburg University is responsible for preserving. Each item here has its own unique history, related to the development of the mining industry and higher engineering education in Russia and beyond», - Xu Xin Huang said.
Almost all the guests from China discussed the cultural differences between our countries. These differences are manifested in various areas, such as architectural style, culinary preferences, and the organization of public celebrations. Teaching methods also differ in the two countries. According to the participants in the summer schools in Russia, more emphasis is put on fundamental knowledge and interpersonal communication between teachers and students.
«This experience made me and everyone who was part of our delegation realize that our world is very diverse, and each culture is individual and has its own unique value. I believe that the opportunity to get acquainted with advanced international academic concepts and research methods was extremely useful in itself. We attended many lectures by professional scientists, conducted many practical exercises, and thus gained highly specialized knowledge. But another aspect is equally important – here we were lucky enough to meet friends from all over the world. In addition to Russians, students from Iran came to the Mining University to participate in the summer school, communication with whom made our life in St. Petersburg even more vivid», - Associate Professor Min Ping, who also accompanied the children from China, emphasized.
She added that she hopes for further comprehensive development of partnership relations between our states, both at the highest level and in the academic field. After all, "it is necessary to preserve stability and peace on the whole planet."
By the way, during their stay in the city on the Neva River, representatives of the People's Republic of China welcomed the destroyer Jiao Zuo, which moored on the embankment of Lieutenant Schmidt, two blocks from the first technical university of Russia. This ship traveled 11 thousand miles in order to take part in the parade in honor of the Navy Day, which was hosted by President Vladimir Putin last Sunday.
One of the posters on board the ship read that "the friendship between China and Russia is growing stronger every day." The completed internship of students of the University of Mining and Technology from Xuzhou is another confirmation of this indisputable fact.
