Recently, China University of Petroleum (East China) and National University of Oil and Gas (National Research University) (also known as“Gubkin University”) co-hosted the 6th Annual Meeting of the Association of Sino-Russian Technical Universities (ASRTU) and the China-Russia University Presidents Forum in Moscow. Nearly 200 representatives from 46 Chinese and Russian universities within the ASRTU network attended the event.

The annual meeting featured two key themes:“Space for Future Education – Technology, Competency, Innovation”and“Russia-China Collaborative Development in Education and Science.”Dai Caili, Vice President of UPC, delivered a keynote report titled“Current Status and Prospects of University Education and Scientific Cooperation Between China and Russia in the Energy Sector.”In her address, she elaborated on UPC’s reform initiatives and achievements in talent cultivation and scientific research since the implementation of the“Double First-Class”Initiative. She also summarized the cooperation outcomes in the energy sector during the ASRTU member universities’ term as the rotating chair institution and proposed a vision for building a spiral-upgrading framework for sustainable cooperation.

The China-Russia University Presidents Forum comprised four sessions with 22 thematic reports. Participating universities engaged in extensive exchanges on four key themes:“Innovative Development of Higher Education and World-Class University”“Future Educators–New Significance and Technologies in Education”“Integrated Development of Universities and Cities–New Opportunities and Challenges in China-Russia Science and Education”and“Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence–Experiences and Practices in Higher Education Transformation”.

The annual meeting served as the culminating event of UPC’s term as the 7th Chinese rotating chair institutionof ASRTU. It was also the first time UPC co-hosted an inter-university alliance conference overseas. The event effectively fostered consensus among ASRTU member universities across various fields, making positive contributions to promoting cultural exchanges and regional interactions between China and Russia. It holds significant importance for UPC to expand its international exchange, broaden cooperation networks, and enhance global reputation and influence.

The Association of Sino-Russian Technical Universities (ASRTU） was established in 2011. Its mission is to bring together elite Sino-Russian technical universities, cultivate high-quality talent, advance academic and scientific cooperation between the two nations, and foster the joint development of their innovative economies. ASRTU operates as an effective higher education exchange platform under the frameworks of China’s“Sino-RussianCommittee on Humanities Cooperation”and the“Science and Technology Cooperation Sub-Commission of the China-Russia Prime Ministers’Regular Meeting Committee.”It currently includes 37 Chinese universities and 43 Russian universities.

UPC officially joined ASRTU in 2016. As the 7th Chinese rotating chair institution of the alliance from 2023 to 2025, UPC has continuously organized and participated in ASRTU’sacademic and cultural exchange activities, expanding and strengthening collaborative ties with multiple leading Russian technical universities.