From September 20 to 25, Yuri Kazakov, rector of KNRTU, as part of a republican delegation led by Rustam Minnikhanov, the Rais of Tatarstan, visited Shandong Province (PRC). The purpose of the trip was to develop scientific and educational cooperation with the leading technical universities in the region — a long‑standing partner of Tatarstan.

Shandong is located south of Beijing and north of Shanghai. The first stop of the visit was Qingdao, a port city on the shores of the Yellow Sea. Here, the KNTU delegation held negotiations at the China University of Petroleum with its Vice‑President Dai Caili. The parties discussed areas of cooperation and preparations for the Forum of the Association of Technical Universities of Russia and China (ATURC), which will be held from November 22 to 25, 2026, in Kazan.

Key negotiations took place at Shandong University of Science and Technology. At the meeting with Vice‑Rector Zhu Jingyi, the prospects for academic mobility, short‑term internship programmes, students’ participation in summer schools for Chinese language and culture, master’s programmes funded by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the submission of applications for joint research grants were discussed. Julia Ziyatdinova, Director of the Institute of Additional Professional Education at KNRTU, presented the university’s educational programmes, which aroused substantive interest among the Chinese colleagues.

Another city visited was Tai’an, where the KNRTU delegation visited Taishan University at the invitation of the university’s party committee secretary, Bai Qing. The university campus is located at the foot of Mount Tai, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Taishan University is interested in launching four joint bachelor’s degree programs for Chinese students in the fields of “Computer Science and Engineering,” “Automation of Technological Processes and Production,” “Chemical Technology of Polymers,” and “Biotechnology.” The programs are planned to be implemented in a 3+1 format: students study in China for three years — with KRTU professors visiting to conduct classes — and complete their studies in Kazan in the fourth year. In addition, Taishan University invites students from KNRTU to participate in summer Chinese language schools, and professors to take part in internships. On September 23, a ceremony to sign agreements was held in Tai’an, during which a Memorandum of Understanding was concluded between Taishan University and KNRTU.

The visit ended in the provincial capital, Jinan, where an educational forum was held between Shandong Province and the Republic of Tatarstan. KNRTU Rector Yuri Kazakov presented to the forum participants a presentation about the university and an overview of the results of the visit.

The forum also discussed the creation of the Russian-Chinese University of Advanced Technologies. An additional visit to Shandong University was organized for the rectors of universities of the Republic of Tatarstan.

Information about Taishan University:

One of the largest universities in the region, founded in 1958. 20,000 students study, more than 1,500 teachers work, unites 19 faculties, implements 54 bachelor's degree programs. In 2026, the university admitted its first master’s students.