Today, April 16, negotiations were held at the Belarusian National Technical University with a delegation from Nanjing University, the Department of Education of Jiangsu Province, and SINOMACHBEL LLC to discuss cooperation in education and science.
The delegation included:
On the Belarusian side, the negotiations were attended by Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Yuri Nikolaychik, Deputy General Director for Development and Strategic Planning Svetlana Pankova, Head of the International Educational Services Marketing and International Student Affairs Department Inna Khatskevich, Specialist of the International Programs, Exchanges and Protocol Department Yaroslav Bazhko, Dean of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty Anastasia Arabei, Dean of the Auto-Tractor Faculty Sergey Skirkovsky, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Robotics Yulia Mazanik, and Head of the Department of Robotic Systems Alexey Borodulya.
The meeting took place in several stages: visiting the exhibition exposition of the BNTU Science and Technology Park "Polytechnic", holding negotiations, and a meeting with BNTU students and faculty.
The tour of the technopark's exhibition exposition was conducted by an employee of the BNTU Science and Technology Park "Polytechnic", Alexey Aldoshin.
— I will tell you in more detail about what the BNTU Science and Technology Park "Polytechnic" does. The first area is surface engineering. This includes everything related to spraying, restoration, and hardening of various surfaces, both metallic and non-metallic. We actively work with the People's Republic of China, and several examples of successful cooperation are presented here, including those involving students from both countries.
After the tour, negotiations took place between representatives of the People's Republic of China and the Belarusian National Technical University, aimed at discussing prospects for deepening academic cooperation within the framework of the joint Institute of Outstanding Engineers.
— Nanjing University is one of the most famous in the world and has the best competencies, including in the field of machine learning and artificial intelligence. Today's trends in the development of science and technology show that intensive progress is impossible without these technologies. Currently, we have limited competencies in this area, so our alliance will not only allow us to train future engineers, engineers of a new formation, but also contribute in the future to the successful implementation of joint Belarusian-Chinese projects in the field of industrial cooperation. Therefore, today's meeting is attended by deans of faculties where BNTU trains engineers in the fields of automotive, tractor and mechanical engineering, automation, robotics, and software, — noted Yuri Nikolaychik.
During the constructive dialogue, the parties discussed several key issues: the development and implementation of joint educational programs that will integrate the best resources and competencies of the partner universities in the project; stimulating academic and personnel mobility, which will expand the horizons of their professional and cultural development; and intensifying the development of joint research projects aimed at solving current problems in the field of science and technology. These initiatives are intended to help strengthen the scientific potential of both countries and create a synergistic effect in the field of higher education and scientific research.
The next stage of the event was a meeting with BNTU students. First, Yuri Nikolaychik addressed the students. He shared that the main goal of the meeting is to talk about the future opportunities that will be presented primarily to BNTU students, and that the essence of the Institute of Outstanding Engineers project is to provide broad educational opportunities for BNTU students, both Belarusian and foreign citizens. It is envisaged that training will be carried out alternately at BNTU and Nanjing University, and that practical skills will be acquired at Sinomach Digital Co., Ltd., with the main goal of gaining real practical skills in the application of artificial intelligence in industry.
Zhou Zhihua also addressed those present. In his speech, he emphasized that the main goal of the Chinese delegation's visit is to create a joint Institute of Outstanding Engineers with BNTU offering a double-degree program. He also noted that the program will focus on artificial intelligence combined with mechanics and intelligent agriculture, and that students will receive full financial support and participate in real industrial projects.
Next, the event participants were given detailed information about studying at Nanjing University, the existing programs, and the opportunities provided to students through participation in joint educational programs.
Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their readiness to deepen academic partnership: the implementation of joint master's programs, academic mobility of students and faculty, and the launch of joint research projects and laboratories are planned, which will be an important step in shaping a new generation of engineers and strengthening Belarusian-Chinese cooperation in education and science.
