Ural Federal University: University Increases Cooperation with Think Tanks in China

Ural Federal University is ready to co-found a Russian-Chinese think tank to develop friendly relations between the two countries. Victor Koksharov, Rector of the Ural Federal University, announced this today at the international conference “Russia and China: Cooperation in a New Era” hosted by Russian International Affairs Council.

“The Ural Federal University is already actively cooperating with Chinese think tanks. We believe that the creation of a unifying platform on the border of Europe and Asia will lead to a synergetic effect for Russian and Chinese centers focused on the same topic,” Victor Koksharov said.

According to the rector, from the Chinese side, Shanghai International Studies University can be a co-founder of the association, one of the directions of activity of which is the study of the Central Asian region.

The analytical partners of Ural Federal University in China are the National Academy of Economic Strategy at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, where they conduct research on the fiscal policy of the Belt and Road Initiative; Shanghai University of Political Science and Law with its joint Laboratory for Social and Law Research; and Harbin Institute of Technology, which cooperates with the International Association of Think Tanks of the Belt and Road Initiative participating countries.

Ural Federal University successfully cooperates with 55 higher education institutions and research centers of China. There are a total of 1,858 students who are citizens of China studying at the Ural Federal University, and in the last four years the scientists from the university have published 471 research publications together with their Chinese colleagues.

The university is successfully implementing joint educational double-degree projects with its Chinese partners. For example, cooperation on five bachelor’s degree programs with the North China University of Water Resources and Hydropower is developing. This academic year, four new programs were launched with the Hainan College of Economics and Business. In total, more than 1,400 people are studying in joint programs with the PRC.