Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (China) and Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design are jointly implementing a doctoral education project in design, approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education in November 2021. The project aims to take full advantage of both China’s and Ukraine’s strengths in innovative schools, help students acquire in-depth professional knowledge and strong academic theoretical foundations, as well as build personal research expertise and creative academic achievements.
On 18 September 2024, KNUTD Rector Ivan Gryshchenko paid a working visit to Shaanxi University. A seminar was held with the heads of Shaanxi University with the participation of Ivan Gryshchenko.
The event was attended by the head of Shaanxi University, Pu Yongping, Vice-Rector; Zhang Sufeng, Head of the International Cooperation Department; Liu Yufang, Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department; Liu Helin, Secretary of the Joint Project; Liu Zongming, Director of the Joint Project; Li Yuanyuan, Head of the Beijing Office and others.
Pu Yongping spoke about the work of the University staff, its history, achievements, promising areas of work and the results of cooperation with Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design.
“Shaanxi is a university of technology and is a participant in the National Programme for Strengthening the Basic Infrastructure of Universities in Central and Western China. We are also one of the ‘double first’ universities in Shaanxi Province and a leading university focused on providing high-quality education. The University was founded in 1958. Shaanxi University of Science and Technology (formerly Northwest Institute of Light Industry) is the first national light industry university of New China. It is located in Xi’an, one of the four ancient capitals of the world and the ‘cultural capital’. Shaanxi University of Science and Technology is the only multi-disciplinary university in western China that specialises in training competitive specialists for the light industry”, Pu Yongping said.
Ivan Gryshchenko, Rector of KNUTD, spoke about the experience of training personnel for 75 countries over the almost 100 years of development of Kyiv University. Ukraine is the largest country in Europe, which is going through difficult times but fulfils all its international obligations.
“Our University was the first among national universities to start exporting quality educational services to China. Currently, KNUTD is implementing six international innovation projects in China.
The PhD in Design project, implemented jointly with Shaanxi University of Technology, has successfully completed three admission campaigns. This project is focused on attracting high-quality educational resources to enhance collaborative learning. We are striving to create a new system for training highly qualified international specialists”, said Ivan Mykhailovych.
During the free discussion session, the two sides had an in-depth exchange and general plans for the new semester of the Sino-Ukrainian PhD Design programme, covering the promotion of admission, teaching and research, quality of learning, degree award, joint project management committee meeting and future in-depth cooperation in international education, etc. Many aspects have been addressed and many consensuses reached.
Ivan Gryshchenko and Pu Yongping said that the parties aim to make this project one of the most prominent international initiatives within the framework of the One Belt, One Road Initiative and make a significant contribution to the development of educational exchange and cooperation between China and Ukraine.
Photo. Participants of the seminar in Shaanxi
Ivan Gryshchenko also met with KNUTD postgraduate students within a joint project at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology. Under this project, 87 graduate students have been doing a PhD course in design at Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design over the period of Ukrainian-Chinese cooperation. All of them will receive European PhD diplomas in design after graduating from KNUTD and defending their dissertations.
At a subsequent symposium of the project teachers and students, Rector I. Gryshchenko asked in detail about the current problems of the students, their learning needs, the quality of guidance from Kyiv teachers, academic research and other activities. The postgraduate students also spoke actively, sharing their learning experiences and impressions, expressing their hopes and expectations for further studies.
Postgraduate students Zhang Weidi, Li Yutong, Zhang Cheta, Hu Yan and others had the opportunity to ask the Rector questions, to which Ivan Mykhailovych gave comprehensive answers. Ivan Gryshchenko wished everyone success in their studies, peace, goodness and invited the postgraduate students to KNUTD.
Photo. Rector I. Gryshchenko meets with the postgraduate students
Photo. A joint photo of the postgraduate students of Shaanxi University with Rector I. Gryshchenko
In conclusion, the participants of the working meeting for the implementation of the doctoral educational project – heads of the departments of Shaanxi University, Rector of Kyiv National University of Technologies and Design, representatives of the Beijing office, representatives of postgraduate students – expressed confidence that if we continue to treat each other honestly, sincerely cooperate, then, both now and looking far into the future, the prospects for cooperation between the two universities and fruitful results will undoubtedly be achieved.
01.10.2024
