Prospects for Russian-Chinese business cooperation discussed at St Petersburg University

In his welcoming speech, Sergey Andryushin, Deputy Rector for International Affairs of St Petersburg University, noted that delegations from China are increasingly coming to implement joint projects and initiatives. China is one of the strategic partners of the University. It cooperates with Chinese universities and research centres with which more than 50 agreements have been signed. It also cooperates at the level of provincial governments, as well as directly with the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China. In particular, the University has entered into a strategic partnership with Heilongjiang province, where it plans to take part in the establishment of a joint university.

More than 1,350 Chinese students are currently studying at St Petersburg University. This is the largest group of foreign students at the University. Also, about 100 more people come annually on exchange programmes. The University is actively developing academic programmes with a Chinese component, and they are very popular among applicants.

‘This is the absolute record not only for St Petersburg University, but for Russia as a whole,’ noted Sergey Andryushin. ‘The number of people who are interested in studying the Chinese language and legal system is very large. This is a result of economic relations between our countries, and the opportunities that open up for graduates of the University with such a set of competencies to work in joint, Chinese companies and Russian companies that work with China.’ He also added that similar bachelor's and master's programmes in economics, sociology, politics and society of present-day China, as well as a number of non-degree programmes, are implemented at St Petersburg University.

Oleg Remyga, Head of Chinese Studies at the Institute for Emerging Market Studies at the Moscow School of Management Skolkovo, noted that their institution regularly conducts surveys of representatives of Russian and Chinese business. When asked what the main challenge in interaction is, about a third of the respondents put first a lack of understanding of the legislation of the neighbouring country. That is why the academic programme of St Petersburg University in jurisprudence with an in-depth study of China, is very relevant and meets the needs of the time.

The academic programme ‘Understanding Russia’ is designed for top managers of Chinese business. It consists of several modules: a theoretical one, which focuses on the history, economy, and politics of Russia; and a practical one, which includes meetings with Russian entrepreneurs and officials. At the end of the training, all participants receive certificates. During the training, would-be Chinese investors can make the necessary business contacts and get a complete picture of the situation on the Russian market in order to answer the question of whether they are ready to work there.

The next course of lectures will take place in early June. Oleg Remyga proposed holding at St Petersburg University the part of the classes devoted to the history of Russia. This is an important topic for the Chinese partners. The first set of lectures on the history of Russia before the Communist Party came to power will be delivered by Professor of Oxford University Andrei Zorin. Oleg Remyga asked if there is an opportunity to invite Abdulla Daudov, Director of the Institute of History at St Petersburg University, to talk about contemporary history. Mr Remyga also noted that the University's participation in an academic programme for entrepreneurs from the People’s Republic of China could become the beginning of a new long-term cooperation.

Following the meeting, the parties decided to: discuss the possibility of concluding a trilateral agreement with St Petersburg University and the Russian-Chinese Business Park; as well as to make a preliminary exchange of all the necessary information.