First Sino-Russian university begins inaugural semester

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong (2nd R) and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Olga Golodets (2nd L) attend a ceremony to open the inaugural semester of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Sept. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Shenzhen MSU-BIT University, the first Sino-Russian university, held a ceremony on Wednesday to open its inaugural semester with the first class of 113 undergraduate students.

The university was jointly established by the government of Shenzhen in south China, Beijing Institute of Technology (BIT) and Lomonosov Moscow State University (MSU), following a memorandum of understanding between the ministries of education of the two countries three years ago.

Han Dongyu, a mathematics major and the student representative, said the university's experienced teachers can assist students with both Russian and their major courses.

Puriaeva, director of the University's Russian language school, said the Russian teachers are satisfied with the working environment and teaching facilities, and are looking forward to teaching in Shenzhen.

The university will accept undergraduate and graduate students from China and abroad, with international students making up 30 percent of the student body. It plans to accommodate up to 5,000 students in the coming years. Enrollment of doctorate students will begin in 2018.