Published on: 2026-08-19
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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A representative delegation from Zhejiang University (PRC)—one of China’s leading universities and a longtime strategic partner of Polytech—visited Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University. The visit continued efforts to strengthen the status of the anchor partner that SPbPU received in November 2025, with the key area of cooperation identified as the Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mechatronic Systems of the Chinese university. The delegation was headed by Professor Xu Bin, Director of the School of Mechanical Engineering.
The visit began with an overview tour of the campus, where guests were able to appreciate the scale and architectural heritage of Polytech. Then the delegation visited the Higher School of Automation and Robotics. Its director, Olga Matsko, spoke about the school’s key competencies and introduced the Chinese colleagues to the modern classrooms. The program continued at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport: the guests visited three research laboratories — Light Materials and Structures, “Laser and Additive Technologies,” and “Composite Materials.” The delegation showed particular interest in the youth project activity center “FabLab Polytech,” where students bring their engineering ideas to life as real prototypes. The familiarization part concluded with a visit to the educational and scientific center “Polytech-Cyberphysics” under the leadership of director Vyacheslav Potekhin.
Opening the meeting, the head of the International Cooperation Department of SPbPU, Vladimir Khizhnyak, greeted the Chinese colleagues: When we talk about international cooperation, China for us is not just one of the partners, but a true strategic priority. Two joint engineering institutes, a representative office in Shanghai, thousands of students — this is only the visible part of our joint work. Today we showed our Chinese colleagues how Polytech is developing — from additive technology laboratories to the “Polytech-Cyberphysics” center. And I can confidently say: our dialogue is moving to a qualitatively new level. We are ready for joint breakthrough research, talent exchange, and the implementation of common ambitious plans.
Cooperation with Zhejiang University has lasted for more than 20 years (the first agreement was concluded in 2004, strategic partnership since 2015). In June 2026, a new strategic partnership agreement was signed for 2026–2031. Over 10 years, scientists from the two universities have published 22 joint articles and more than 130 works in high-ranking journals; in five years, over 800 students from Zhejiang University participated in SPbPU’s summer and winter schools. The performance of the Zhejiang University folk orchestra at Polytech’s 120th anniversary was remembered with special warmth: it became a true highlight of the celebration, and the hosting side expressed hope to see the creative teams of the Chinese partners again.
The head of the delegation, Professor Xu Bin, thanked for the reception and shared his impressions: This is my second visit to Russia and the most in-depth acquaintance with the Polytechnic University. Today we saw many laboratories and research centers firsthand.
Xu Bing spoke about the scale of the School of Mechanical Engineering. The institute’s research potential is impressive: the area of the buildings exceeds 40,000 sq. m, the annual volume of competitive grants exceeds 500 million yuan (60-70% from the government, 30-40% from industry). Within the institute’s structure, there are eight research subdivisions, and a new institute for industrial artificial intelligence was recently established.
The head of the delegation elaborated in detail on the priority areas. The flagship area, which has the greatest influence both in China and abroad, is hydraulics and mechatronic systems. Among other priorities are automation and digitalization of mechanical engineering, advanced technologies and materials (especially in aviation), as well as biomanufacturing (already internationally recognized) and nuclear production — a new paradigm in which China holds a leading position; just a month ago, the institute’s scientists published an article on this topic in the journal Science. Responding to a question about the prospects for cooperation with the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport of SPbPU, Professor Xu Bin stressed: We have many research areas that coincide with your institute, and I am confident that many opportunities for collaboration await us in the future.
During the negotiations, the short-term educational programs of SPbPU were also presented in detail: more than 48 courses of summer and winter schools in six areas (engineering, natural sciences, IT, energy, social sciences, economics, and Russian studies). In the 2026 summer schools, 56 students from Zhejiang University already participated in energy-related fields. SPbPU representatives noted their readiness to develop joint master’s and doctoral programs, co-supervise dissertations, and arrange short-term internships for faculty members.
The parties confirmed the development of the June agreements and specified the steps for anchor partnership in the field of hydraulics and mechatronic systems. In the autumn of 2026, a reciprocal visit by SPbPU staff to Zhejiang University is planned to work out detailed programs for 2026–2031.
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