On October 30th, the “Building a Sustainable Energy Future Together” China-Russia Energy Education and Science Symposium was held at China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUP). The symposium established a high-level dialogue platform for China–Russia cooperation in energy education, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation, with the aim of deepening practical collaboration and supporting global sustainable energy development. Representatives from member institutions of the “Belt and Road” Energy Partnership Cooperation Network University (Youth) Working Group, delegates of Открытое Акционерное Общество (Gazprom), as well as other Chinese and Russian partner institutions attended the event. Vice President Zhang Guangqing of China University of Petroleum attended the meeting and delivered the opening remarks.
Prof. Zhang Guangqing extended a warm welcome to the guests from China and abroad. He introduced CUP’s history, disciplinary strengths, research platforms, university-industry integration, and internationalization. He reviewed the background, current situation and future prospects of cooperation between the University (Youth) working Group and the Gazprom Oil Enterprise University Alliance, expressing the hope that both sides would achieve more concrete outcomes in joint research, talent cultivation, and flagship program development.
Gimayeva Irina, Head of Education Projects and University Cooperation at Gazprom, introduced the company’s achievements in university–industry talent development programs. She noted that since 2023, the cooperation between CUP and Gazprom has developed rapidly, with a series of jointly organised activities, and expressed the hope that youth exchanges will further stimulate scientific and technological collaboration.
During the keynote report session, the participants introduced the key work and research directions of their respective institutions, and held in-depth discussions on topics such as artificial intelligence, digital simulation, advanced materials and processes, and innovative models for talent cultivation in the energy sector. This session provided an effective platform for aligning research needs and fostering deeper cooperation between Chinese and Russian partners.
In the dialogue session, representatives from universities, research institutes, and enterprises exchanged views on China–Russia youth exchanges in the energy field, mutual faculty visits, university–enterprise research collaboration, and further promotion of “Belt and Road” energy cooperation, putting forward a range of constructive proposals.
During the youth presentation segment, Chinese and Russian student representatives from the “Energy Bridge” China–Russia International Youth Camp shared their learning experiences and reflections.
Focusing on themes such as energy transition, artificial intelligence, low-carbon technology, and youth development, the symposium brought together representatives from nearly twenty leading universities, research institutions, and enterprises in the energy sector from both countries, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Nanjing University, Tianjin University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Peter, the Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, Tomsk Polytechnic University, Novosibirsk State University and Ufa State Petroleum Technical University. The event further consolidated the foundation for comprehensive cooperation in energy education between China and Russia.
The “Belt and Road” Energy Partnership Cooperation Network University (Youth) Working Group also held a working meeting during the event. Mr. Ding Wei, Deputy Director of the General Affairs Division of the Department of International Cooperation of the Energy Administration, attended the meeting. Prof. Zhang Guangqing delivered the concluding remarks. At the meeting, all parties held in-depth discussions on the work plan for the next phase.
As a supporting event of this symposium, the “Energy Bridge” Sino-Russia International Youth Camp opened at CUP on October 27th. Eight student representatives from the Gazprom Oil Enterprise University Alliance joined CUP students for a week-long program of academic exchange and cultural interaction . Centred on energy and connected by culture, the camp enabled participants to deepen mutual understanding and build lasting friendships through cultural activities, technical visits, and intensive dialogue.
The “Belt and Road” Energy Partnership Cooperation Network University (Youth) Working Group was officially established at the Second Belt and Road Energy Ministers' Conference in 2021. China University of Petroleum-Beijing serves as the lead institution, and the Working Group now includes 16 member universities such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Tianjin University. Over the past four years, the working group has carried out substantial work in areas such as youth exchanges, talent cultivation, and platform building. In 2023, the working group signed a cooperation agreement with the Gazprom Oil Company Enterprise University Alliance, pioneering a new model of cross-border university network cooperation in the energy field.