A distinguished delegation from Taiyuan University of Technology met with the leadership of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University. The main agenda of the meeting was the creation of a joint educational institution that will train engineering specialists for both countries.
TYUT, as the Chinese university is abbreviated, consists of 27 faculties, 21 of which are focused on technical disciplines (mining, mechanical engineering, energy, chemical technology, and others). It also includes 11 national research institutes, laboratories, and centers. In total, 45,000 students study at the university, which exceeds the enrollment of even the largest Russian universities.
The universities have been cooperating for several years — students and postgraduates from China annually fly to the city on the Neva River to participate in the "Summer" and "Winter" schools. Professors participate in international conferences and forums, and they also publish joint scientific papers.
Exactly one year ago, the leadership of Taiyuan University of Technology expressed a desire for closer integration, which resulted in the signing of an international cooperation agreement between the two universities. The document was signed in the presence of Zhang Chunlin, the Deputy Secretary of the Communist Party Committee of Shanxi Province. His position corresponds to that of a governor, and approval and support at this level are of great significance for the People's Republic of China.
«Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University is known in China as an excellent training ground, producing true leaders. Taiyuan University of Technology, like our entire region, is undoubtedly interested in such a partner.», - noted Zhang Chunlin.
And the region, without exaggeration, is outstanding. The mineral resources of Shanxi Province, where TYUT is located, are incredibly rich. It is often referred to as the "Sea of Coal" in China, as the province holds about 20% of the country's proven reserves of "black gold." Approximately 1 billion tons of coal are mined there, accounting for a third of China’s total production and nearly one-sixth of global output. For comparison, Russia mined 443 million tons of coal in 2024.
According to the Chinese partners, they are highly interested in creating breakthrough technologies that would reduce the number of waste piles — the byproducts of coal processing and combustion, improve the efficiency of coal use at thermal power plants, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase the automation of mining enterprises.
One of the outcomes of the agreement signed was the increase in academic mobility among postgraduates and the implementation of joint fundamental and applied research. In particular, in April 2025, St. Petersburg postgraduates went for a two-month internship at TYUT. They are expected to return home shortly. Judging by the feedback from the coordinators at the Chinese university, "the research level and work efficiency of the young people made a strong impression on the scientists and confirmed the correctness of choosing this strategic partner».
In St. Petersburg, the Vice President for the Development of Property Complexes and International Activities at Taiyuan University of Technology, Professor San Shengbo, met with the Rector of the Mining University, Vladimir Litvinenko. The purpose of the visit was to prepare a working cooperation plan for the 2025-2026 academic year, covering a wide range of areas. The plan includes intensifying academic mobility for students, postgraduates, and faculty, establishing joint scientific teams, organizing courses to enhance teaching skills, and holding conferences.
«The Mining University is particularly interested in creating collaborations for conducting research on super-deep drilling. Our specialists carried out a unique operation to open Lake Vostok in Antarctica at a depth of more than 3,000 meters, and now preparations are underway for drilling a super-deep well in the Komi region. The goal is to study the genesis of the Earth and determine the presence of new extractable natural resources. As far as I know, scientists at Taiyuan University of Technology are also specifically studying the topic of super-deep drilling — they have worked on the Ice Continent, and a well with a planned depth of 4,100 meters is being constructed near one of the TYUT buildings. Essentially, this is a ready topic for joint research. But I am sure it is far from the only one. We need to focus on what is truly important for our countries», - emphasized Vladimir Litvinenko.
The Chinese colleagues emphasized the potential for creating a Russian-Chinese University for Raw Materials Resources. TYUT expressed strong willingness to be a partner in this endeavor.
The project for the new university is closely linked to the Dual Degree Program. It involves the construction of two campuses — one in each country, preparing students in unified priority areas and educational plans in their native languages, with additional study of Chinese/Russian. After two years of study, an expert council selects the most promising students and facilitates academic exchange. Upon returning home and defending their knowledge, they will receive diplomas from both universities.
«We will produce specialists of a new caliber. They must understand economics within the framework of technical training, be proficient in the IT field, have a scientific worldview, know what production management is, and learn the Chinese language. I am fully confident that with such training, engineers will be in high demand in the companies of the mineral and raw materials sector in both countries», - emphasized the rector.
At the initial stage, TYUT Vice President Professor San Shengbo proposed the creation of overseas representations based at both universities, which will serve as the first step towards the establishment of the new university:
«The infrastructure of Taiyuan University of Technology has everything necessary – classrooms, laboratories, dormitories. On our part, we are ready to participate in this strategically important project, which will work towards a common goal – the development of our countries. The fields of study can be diverse – from traditional ones, such as mining, oil and gas, and geology, to fundamentally new ones – smart mining, artificial intelligence, and information technologies».
Currently, the Mining University is constructing a multi-purpose scientific and technical center on Shkipersky Strait. The ten-story building covers an area of about 53,000 square meters and is designed to accommodate 5,000 students. The expected completion date is December 2026. In the future, the center may be used as a campus for the Russian-Chinese University for Raw Materials Resources.
