An educational and scientific modular laboratory for bituminous materials technology was officially opened at the KNRTU campus on Sibirsky Trakt str. This is a joint project of KNRTU and Gazpromneft - Bitumen Materials LLC. The ceremony was attended by representatives of the university management, lecturers and students. KNRTU's industrial partner was represented by Ilya Kudryashov, Director of the Bitumen Materials Research Center, and his colleagues.

The launch of the new workspace is another stage in the formation of a new image of KNRTU campus in cooperation with partner enterprises. The launch of the laboratory on bitumen technologies will make it possible to conduct a wide range of analytical studies on the properties of bitumen materials, as well as group classes, laboratory work, meetings with experts, and online events. The laboratory will become a key unit in the implementation of the partner Master's Degree Program Innovative Bitumen Products and Technologies of the Institute of Petroleum, Chemistry and Nanotechnology of KNRTU.

The corporate master's program “Innovative Bitumen Products and Technologies” is aimed at training highly qualified specialists with expertise in the field of bitumen technologies and road construction. Such engineers are in great demand nowadays for construction and maintenance of highways, bridges, tunnels and airfields.

The mission of the Bituminous Materials Research Center is to work on the development of research methodology and regulatory frameworks in the field of bitumen and bitumen-derivative technologies, and the graduates themselves will be actively involved in the new program.