Russian University Rector Visits HNFNU to Boost Cooperation

A delegation from Ulyanovsk State Pedagogical University (ULSPU), Russia, led by Rector Igor Petrishchev, visited Hunan First Normal University (HNFNU) on December 4. The HNFNU leadership, including University Council Chair Luo Chengyi, President Yu Zuguo, and Vice President Jiang Rong, warmly welcomed the guests.

A welcome ceremony featured a musical performance by HNFNU faculty and students, blending the Russian song “Moscow Nights” with the Chinese folk tune “The Liuyang River”, symbolizing the friendship between the two institutions. President Yu noted that mutual understanding and respect form the foundation for educational and cultural exchanges.

During talks, both sides explored expanding cooperation. They reached consensus on several initiatives, including deepening Chinese language programs, increasing faculty and student exchanges, restarting summer camps and study tours, launching dual-degree and joint master’s programs, expanding international student enrollment, collaborating on research, and establishing student internship bases.

University Council Chair Luo Chengyi emphasized the shared history of both institutions as normal universities with over a century of tradition. He proposed advancing cooperation in three dimensions: First, broadening scope and building a comprehensive, integrated partnership covering all educational stages. Second, deepening substance and focusing on talent cultivation, faculty development, and collaborative research for systematic, high-quality progress. Third, enhancing effectiveness and expanding participation in exchange programs and ensuring tangible outcomes.

Before the talks, the Russian delegation visited the Normal Education Museum and the historic “Red Wall”, of the university, where the exchange students from ULSPU performed the recitation of Mao Zedong’s poem “The Long March”.

Representatives from the Department of International Exchange and Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Affairs, the School of Literature and Journalism, the School of Mathematics and Statistics, the School of Business, the School of Music and Dance, the School of Modern Education Development, and the Daze Lake School of Hunan First Normal University participated in the above exchange.