Today, September 10, the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU) hosted the opening ceremony of the academic year for the Joint Chinese-Belarusian Institute of Outstanding Engineers.
Background: The Institute is a unique educational project established by BNTU and Nanjing University with the support of SINOMACH Digital Co. and the Qixia District Education Department. Master's students are trained in cutting-edge fields: artificial intelligence, digital engineering, and intelligent manufacturing. The program follows a "1+1" model: students spend their first academic year at BNTU and the second at Nanjing University.
Distinguished guests attended the event, including Song Yanping, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Republic of Belarus; Wang Yuhan, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sinomach Digital Co.; and Qu Xiaolei, Deputy Director of the Joint Chinese-Belarusian Institute of Outstanding Engineers. Representing BNTU at the ceremony were Rector Sergei Kharitonchik, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Yuri Nikolaichik, as well as students and staff.
Sergei Kharitonchik addressed the participants with welcoming remarks:
"Today marks a truly historic and significant day for the Belarusian National Technical University and the entire higher technical education system of the Republic of Belarus. We are officially launching the academic year for a unique joint scientific and educational project—the Chinese-Belarusian Institute of Outstanding Engineers." Cooperation between the Republic of Belarus and the People's Republic of China is currently at the highest level in history—that of an all-weather, comprehensive strategic partnership. This elevated diplomatic status is underpinned by concrete actions, mutual trust, and the unbreakable friendship between the leaders of our nations: the President of the Republic of Belarus, Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko, and the President of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping.
Elaborating on this bilateral partnership, the university head emphasized that such a large-scale project was a natural progression of the university's long-standing efforts:
"For many years, the Belarusian National Technical University (BNTU) has served as a flagship for Belarusian-Chinese scientific and educational collaboration. We are successfully developing partnerships with leading Chinese universities—including joint programs with Hefei University of Technology, Shenyang Institute of Technology, and Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Electric Power. The BNTU Confucius Institute for Science and Technology is actively collaborating with Northeastern University, and projects to establish joint entities and a Luban Workshop are underway. Our cooperation today stands as a prime example of how two great nations can build a shared technological future."
Sergei Kharitonchik also focused in detail on the day's main event, describing the specifics of the new educational institution, its ambitious goals, and its unique training model.
"The establishment of the Chinese-Belarusian Institute of Outstanding Engineers—in partnership with a global leader in education, Nanjing University, and with robust industrial support from SINOMACH Digital—marks a significant new milestone. This is the first overseas institute of its kind dedicated to training outstanding engineers, combining the potential of academic research, cutting-edge technology, and real-world industrial production. Our goal is to train an elite cadre of engineers in the most advanced fields of the modern era: artificial intelligence, digital engineering, big data, and intelligent manufacturing." "The '1+1' training model will enable master's students to acquire fundamental knowledge at BNTU, master advanced Chinese practices at Nanjing University, and complete unique internships at SINOMACH high-tech enterprises," explained the BNTU Rector.
Speaking on behalf of the Chinese delegation, Song Yanping highlighted the significance of the event. She noted the remarkable speed of the project's implementation, as less than six months elapsed between the signing of the agreement and its launch. The Minister-Counsellor also expressed confidence that the institute would become a model platform for joint innovation. Furthermore, she warmly congratulated those present on Teachers' Day, which is traditionally celebrated in China on September 10.
For his part, Wang Yuhan emphasized the deep integration of education, science, and the real economy. He highlighted that the new training model would combine the strengths of both nations and that graduates—by solving practical challenges in advanced manufacturing—would serve as a reliable bridge between the peoples of Belarus and China.
Qu Xiaolei added that the project elevates cooperation between the two countries to a fundamentally new level. Addressing the first cohort of master's students, he urged them not to shy away from challenges, to remain curious, and to learn how to work in international teams, noting that great engineering projects require combined efforts and mutual trust.
A highlight of the ceremony was the introduction of the institute's first master's students, who were ceremoniously presented with commemorative gifts. The educational project was officially launched with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Sergei Kharitonchik, Wang Yuhan, Yuri Nikolaichik, and Qu Xiaolei, alongside Timofey Shishko, a student from the inaugural cohort.
This was followed by the signing of cooperation agreements on artificial intelligence and practice-oriented training between BNTU and Sinomach Digital Technology Corporation. The documents were signed by Sergei Kharitonchik and Wang Yuhan.
After the formal proceedings, the delegation visited the BNTU Hall of Fame museum, where the distinguished guests left messages in the university's guestbook.
The Chinese partners also visited the renovated BNTU History Museum. Five themed exhibition halls showcased the development of the country's leading technical university, tracing its journey from its founding to the present day in independent Belarus.
The official launch of studies for the first cohort of master's students marked the beginning of a major new phase. The inauguration of the academic year at the Joint Chinese-Belarusian Institute of Outstanding Engineers laid a solid foundation for the collaborative training of an engineering elite, the implementation of groundbreaking high-tech projects, and the graduation of world-class specialists capable of meeting the challenges of the future.
