Rector Yuri Kazakov solemnly presented educational documents to the first graduates of the KNRTU-BUCT 2+2 double degree program on July 31. It started in 2022. The first students were the Institute of Polymers bachelors: they studied for two years in Kazan and two in Beijing. Today those of the fourteen graduates who were able to come received bachelor's degree documents prepared by the Chinese colleagues. Students received their KNRTU diplomas earlier.

"Congratulations on accomplishing the studies!" — Yuri Kazakov addressed the students. — It was a lot of work, thank you for doing it. Your parents can be proud of you! The university is proud of you! Your student years memories and time spent in China will stay with you forever. Now you are about to start a career. I wish you good luck. Keep your dignity, get involved, work well — you have everything needed to succeed. SIBUR is one of our country’s best employers, and I have no doubt that your talents and diligence will be noticed.

KNRTU Rector emphasized, that the Vice-rector for Academic Affairs Dilbar Sultanova and Anna Sukhristina, at that time the Director of International Activities, were at the origins of the KNRTU-BUCT 2+2 program. On behalf of the university administration, he expressed gratitude to them for the work done.

"You have gained valuable qualifications. But even more valuable is the acquired experience, proficiency in foreign language honed over the years of study, and connection with China," - remarked Dilbar Sultanova.

Yuri Kazakov added that the story of the first student flow is personal for him. The head of the university came to Beijing twice and met with students in order to learn about how their studies and life were going. "I still remember the delicious Chinese dumplings that you treated us to," - the rector recalled with a smile.

The bright educational track has been completed, but this is not the end of the whole story: Graduates of the program have already received internship offers from SIBUR enterprises Kazanorgsintez and Nizhnekamskneftekhim. They are not going to give up studying: they are applying the master's program at KNRTU. The program itself is also continuing successfully: starting in 2025, students in the fields of "Chemical Engineering" and "Process Machines and Equipment" can participate in it.