RUDN University and Xi'an Jiaotong University signs a memorandum on the establishment of an International Scientific Center for Mathematics

Strategic Alliance of Mathematicians

On the very first day of our delegation’s visit, RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov and Rector of Xi’an Jiaotong University Zhang Liqun signed a Memorandum of Intent aimed at joint establishment of an International Scientific Center for Mathematics.

The Center will become a large-scale network structure integrated into the University of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). It is meant to consolidate the potential of the leading mathematical schools of the 7 member countries, and 125 universities that are currently part of the SCO University’s orbit will be able to join its work.

The Center is expected to provide broad opportunities for consolidating the research agenda, including:

• launching joint research in fundamental and applied mathematics, creating virtual laboratories;
• forming cross-cultural research teams from different SCO countries;
• organizing internships and research-focused semesters for undergraduate, graduate and PhD students;
• establishing co-supervision programs for PhD students and professional development programs for faculty;
• holding international conferences, summer schools and math olympiads.

RUDN University’s position as one of the founders of the center is supported by a serious scientific base. Over the past 5 years, the university’s mathematicians have published 1,012 articles, 185 of them in Q1 journals. In addition, since 2022, the university has successfully operated a laboratory on nonlinear and nonlocal equations, created with the help of a mega-grant program of the national project “Science and Universities”.

Academic recognition

The next important event of the trip was awarding the title of Honorary Professor of Xi’an Jiaotong University to RUDN University President Vladimir Filippov. Since 1986, this title has been awarded to the world’s leading scientists and prominent academic figures for their contribution to the development of science and international cooperation. Vladimir Filippov was honored with it as the rector of the SCO University, one of the world’s largest educational network projects.

“Awarding me the title of Honorary Professor is a recognition of the cooperation between our universities. I have been Rector and President of RUDN University for more than 25 years. During this time, our university has significantly strengthened ties with universities in China. Students from more than 160 countries study at RUDN University every year. Most of them — about 2,000 people — are from the People’s Republic of China. Together with Xi’an Jiaotong University, which coordinates all 48 universities in China that are now part of the SCO, we will need to intensify multilateral cooperation among universities in all 7 countries that make up the SCO University. And I am glad that by signing a memorandum on the establishment of an International Scientific Center for Mathematics, we have set an example of developing cooperation for other SCO members,” said Vladimir Filippov.

RUDN University and Xi’an Jiaotong University are long-standing partners. The universities signed a perpetual memorandum of understanding in 2016, and an agreement on the implementation of a joint master’s degree program in Bioenergetics (Chemistry) in 2024. In addition, during the entire period of partnership, scientists from the two universities have published 52 joint scientific papers, 45 of which were published in Q1 journals.

Potatoes, Architecture and Big Data

During the visit, RUDN University delegation took an active part in the world-class University Forum and the exhibition of leading universities in Xi’an. The stand of our university was crowded with Chinese schoolchildren and students who were highly interested in opportunities to study in Moscow.

Among the university’s degree programs, the most in-demand fields were chemistry, materials science, big data and mathematics. Among the master’s programs, students were most often interested in architecture. Visitors from other countries asked for details of PhD programs. The traditional most frequent questions were: “What language are classes taught in?”, “What scholarships are available?” and “Can I come on an exchange program?”

Our university managed to create a truly welcoming atmosphere at the stand. According to the delegation members, the Chinese guests willingly tasted the sweets brought from Russia and demonstrated their knowledge of Russian words and phrases such as “potato”, “thank you”, “how are you” and even “I worked in Moscow”. One of the visitors was so impressed by the spirit of our university that he expressed his disire to work for RUDN.

A pleasant surprise for the Russian delegation was the musical accompaniment — Muslim Magomayev’s song “Blue Eternity” was performed at the opening of the forum.

A Look into the Future

Speaking at the official ceremony in honor of the 130th anniversary of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Vladimir Filippov outlined a global vector of cooperation. He emphasized that the world is moving towards “global regionalization”, when cooperation is built with consideration for the peculiarities of countries and regions. A special role here is given to network universities — associations of universities that work not on an ad hoc basis, but systematically, through joint programs, academic mobility and research projects. The main task is to move from single contacts to permanent interaction formats.

And, of course, the President of RUDN University congratulated the Chinese university on its anniversary.

“Being the same age as the 20th century, going through all its dramatic events and entering the 21st century as one of the recognized leaders of higher education in China and in the world is a great achievement for many generations. 130 years is a whole epoch that has encompassed the destinies of many students and teachers, brilliant scientific discoveries, periods of trials and triumphs,” said Vladimir Filippov.

As a symbolic anniversary gift, Vladimir Filippov presented a book about Moscow in Chinese to the rector of Xi’an Jiaotong University and invited foreign colleagues to visit RUDN University.

The visit to Xi’an confirmed that RUDN University’s strategic partnership with Chinese universities is moving to a new level: from educational exchanges to the creation of specific multilateral scientific mechanisms that will contribute to the technological sovereignty of the SCO countries.