Universities in Tatarstan and China are combining expertise to develop advanced technologies

Universities in Tatarstan and China are forming a the “China-Russia University of Advanced Technologies” (CRUTech) Consortium. The signing of the corresponding Agreement will take place in Kazan as part of the 4th International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation”.

CRUTech will operate as a network of Russian and Chinese universities, research and other organisations. Its goal will be to transform educational and scientific cooperation between the two countries from isolated contacts to a system of joint projects.

“This is a unique concept. The Memorandum on the implementation of this project was signed during the Russian President’s visit to Beijing at the end of May this year, meaning this project is reaching the highest state level. Kazan Federal University is the project coordinator on the Tatarstan side,” said Albert Gilmutdinov, Assistant to the Rais (Head) of the Republic of Tatarstan.

The Consortium will include approximately 10 universities from Tatarstan and approximately 14 universities from Shandong Province. From the Republic’s side, these are Kazan Federal University, KNRTU-KAI, Kazan National Research Technological University, Kazan State Power Engineering University, Kazan State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Almetyevsk State Technological University “Higher School of Oil”, Innopolis University, Kazan State Medical University, Kazan State Agrarian University, Kazan State Institute of Culture and Art, and Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov.

“What makes CRUTech unique is that it collaborates not only between universities, but also between regions. The Republic of Tatarstan, a leading, industrially developed region of the Russian Federation, and Shandong Province, one of the advanced regions of the People’s Republic of China,” said Timirkhan Alishev, Vice-Rector for External Relations at Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University.

He announced that, to further develop cooperation, a visit by a Tatarstan delegation to Shandong Province is planned for September 2026. The trip could result in initiatives to create new joint educational programmes, and scientific and educational projects.

Albert Gilmutdinov recalled that 2026 and 2027 have been declared cross-years of Russian-Chinese cooperation in education by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping. He noted that the leaders of the two countries are well aware of the role of scientific and technological development in the modern world and in relations between Russia and China.

Cooperation between the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China in education is currently developing very actively. Over the past ten years, the share of Chinese students in the total number of international students studying in Russia has increased from 5% to 15%, indicating the high interest and attractiveness of Russian education for Chinese applicants, said Timirkhan Alishev. He noted that the number of Russian students studying in China is also increasing: currently, over 20,000 Russians are studying at leading universities in China, demonstrating a strong interest in Chinese education.

In November 2026, a three-day forum of technical universities of Russia and China will be held at the IT Park named after Bashir Rameev in Kazan as part of the Cross-Years of Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Education. Albert Gilmutdinov noted that the International Conference “Advanced Technologies in Universities of Russia and China” will become one of the key events. He noted that seven promising technologies have been identified, including artificial intelligence.


*****
The International Forum “SPROUTS: Russia and China – Mutually Beneficial Cooperation” will be held in Kazan on 16-19 August.

The business programme includes such areas as interstate dialogue, creative economy, medicine, industry, education, business and entrepreneurship, business associations, finance and investment, culture, media, law, transport, agriculture, tourism, and construction.

The SPROUTS Business Forum confirmed its high status by receiving the EFEA Awards and becoming a laureate and finalist of the prestigious International Russian Event Awards.

ANO “Directorate of International Programmes” acts as an operator for the preparation and holding of the SPROUTS Forum.

Official of the SPROUTS Forum.