Anhui International Studies University becomes UNN's 11th Chinese partner university

Lobachevsky University and Anhui International Studies University signed an agreement on cooperation in education and science in a ceremony held online on August 15. The agreement has become the 17th document that consolidates the interaction between UNN and universities in China.

Oleg Trofimov, Acting Rector of Lobachevsky University, addressed the Chinese partners with welcoming remarks and emphasized that ties between Russia and China are becoming stronger every year in the fields of science, education and youth exchanges.

"Our new partner, Anhui International Studies University, makes an important contribution to the training of China’s  human resources in economics, business, philology and media communications. This makes our universities closer, as the development of humanities education and the study of foreign languages is also a strategic priority for Lobachevsky University. UNN students study Chinese and other foreign languages, the university provides training in Russian as a foreign language, runs a testing centre for foreign citizens, holds annual language Olympiads and international conferences. We are especially pleased to emphasize that the Asia-Pacific Centre has been operating at UNN since 2022. We look forward to academic and youth exchanges, joint educational programmes, summer and winter schools, and bilateral scientific projects. In particular, we welcome the opening of academic internships and double degree programs in economics, philology and law," said Oleg Trofimov.

Zhou Zhihu, Rector of Anhui International Studies University, expressed his gratitude to Oleg Trofimov and the whole team of Lobachevsky University for their support in developing cooperation between the universities and characterized this interaction as being both timely and promising. 

"Lobachevsky University is renowned worldwide for its first-class courses, strong faculty and excellent teaching quality. The signing of this agreement marks the formal establishment of a comprehensive, multidisciplinary and thorough cooperation. We hope to develop cooperation in areas such as training, faculty exchanges, scientific research and cultural exchanges, and joint cultivation of talents. We will also promote cooperation under the One Belt, One Road Project," Zhou Zhihu said.

During the meeting, the representatives of the universities presented each other the potential of their respective institutions. Oleg Trofimov emphasised that Lobachevsky University's partner network includes more than 110 universities and scientific organisations from different regions of the world.

For his part, Zhou Zhihu said that Anhui International Studies University now offers 41 bachelor's degree specialisations in five key areas: philology, economics, management, art and information technology.

At the end of the ceremony, the two sides expressed hope that the next meeting will be held in person.