HIT Media (Text: Shang Yankai; Photos: Xin Ran)
As one of the first flagship initiatives celebrating the China-Russia Years of Education, the inaugural undergraduate graduation ceremony of the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT)-St Petersburg University (SPbU) Joint Campus and SPbU's degree conferral ceremony were held at the HIT International Campus on June 21.
The first cohort of 134 students enrolled in the joint undergraduate program completed their studies and received their degrees, embarking on the next stage of their academic and professional journeys.
Among those attending were Zhao Lei, deputy director-general of the Department of International Cooperation and Exchanges of the Ministry of Education; Xu Zhenyu, director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Education; Sergey Mikushev, vice-rector of SPbU; Valeriya Malomuzh, deputy vice-rector for International Affairs of SPbU; Chen Jie, Party secretary of HIT; Han Jiecai, president of HIT; and Shuai Yong, vice-president of HIT.
The ceremony takes place. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
In his remarks, Zhao said that HIT and SPbU have, in recent years, steadily advanced the development of the Joint Campus, establishing it as a flagship program for educating outstanding innovators in the fundamental sciences and setting a new benchmark for educational cooperation between China and Russia. As this year marks the launch of the China-Russia Years of Education, he expressed hope that the two universities will build on the experience gained through their joint talent-development efforts, leverage their newly approved cooperative education initiative, and further strengthen the Joint Campus as a leading model of China-Russia educational cooperation.
Xu noted that Heilongjiang has long regarded educational cooperation with Russia as a strategic priority in support of China's broader diplomatic agenda and regional revitalization. To date, the province has established 16 China-Russia university alliances in specialized fields, including the Association of Sino-Russian Technical Universities, led by HIT, with many of their achievements incorporated into joint China-Russia joint statements. He said that, as a flagship example of Heilongjiang's educational engagement with Russia, the partnership between HIT and SPbU has transformed educational cooperation from individual projects into a comprehensive institutional partnership, creating a model for international cooperative education. The Heilongjiang Provincial Department of Education will continue to support the university's development and help build the HIT-SPbU Joint Campus into a nationally recognized model with international influence.
Xu Zhenyu delivers his remarks. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
On behalf of their respective universities, Chen and Sergey presented graduates with commemorative messages and specially designed graduation notebooks.
Chen Jie and Sergey Mikushev present commemorative gifts to graduates. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
In his remarks, Sergey thanked the Ministry of Education of China for its longstanding support for the joint education program between SPbU and HIT. He said that since the Joint Campus was established, the two universities have continued to expand cooperation, strengthen academic exchanges among faculty and students, and establish interdisciplinary laboratories and research centers, making their partnership a leading example of strategic collaboration between top universities in Russia and China.
Sergey Mikushev delivers his remarks. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Han noted that since its establishment, the HIT-SPbU Joint Campus has been developed to world-class standards, bringing together the academic strengths and distinguished faculty of both universities. Over time, the partnership has evolved from individual collaborative projects into a fully integrated joint college, with cooperation expanding across multiple areas. In May this year, the two universities signed an agreement to jointly establish the China-Russia Outstanding Engineers College, elevating their partnership to a new strategic level.
Han Jiecai delivers his remarks. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Valeriya Malomuzh reads the degree conferral resolution. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Professor Han Xiaojun of the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering encouraged graduates to cultivate patience as they establish their careers and confidence to continue growing, becoming pioneers in the basic sciences. He urged them to actively engage with the global innovation community, present China's scientific achievements to the international academic community, and serve as bridges connecting cultures and ideas. He also encouraged them to persevere in their pursuit of scientific discovery, combining the courage to venture into the unknown with the wisdom to proceed thoughtfully.
Professor Han Xiaojun delivers his remarks. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Yu Rongyi from the School of Mathematics and Li Jianing from the School of Physics spoke on behalf of the graduating class, reflecting on their four years of study and personal growth at the HIT-SPbU Joint Campus and expressing their determination to pursue their aspirations while contributing to the country's future development.
Graduate representatives deliver their remarks. [Photo/hit.edu.cn] 
Graduates present flowers to faculty and staff members in appreciation. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Shuai Yong and Sergey Mikushev jointly confer degrees on graduates.[Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Editor: Liu Peixiang
Reviewers: Song Ling, Li Shoubin, Yang Wenyu