On June 15, 2021, a delegation of the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine headed by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to Ukraine Fan Xianrong visited Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute. Rector of the University, Academician of the NAS of Ukraine Michael Zgurovsky, Vice-Rector for International Relations, Corresponding Member of NAS of Ukraine Serhii Sydorenko and Head of the Office for Foreign Economic Activity of the International Collaboration Department Andrii Shysholin met the guests. A newly appointed Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Ukraine on Science, Miao Fei, attended the meeting.
The participants discussed expanding cooperation in education, science, technology, joint innovation, and space projects.
In the context of the agreements between Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and Chinese partners, the Chinese Ambassador identified three aspects which he would personally promote. The first thing is to help increase the number of Chinese citizens studying at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, especially through cooperation with the four Centers of the Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China to send Chinese citizens to study abroad. The next aspect contributes deepening of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute's cooperation with fast-growing Chinese universities. Moreover, the Chinese Ambassador will assist in scientific and technical cooperation. This aspect involves developing a centers system on a mutually beneficial basis, for instance, a joint center of Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute with a special economic zone of Chongqing.
Addressing the Head of China diplomatic mission in Ukraine, the University Rector Michael Zgurovsky stressed, “We appreciate your support for the prospects of deepening cooperation based on the Comprehensive Cooperation Program with Chinese partners at a new stage”. According to the Rector, aviation, space, information and biotechnology, cybersecurity, clean water, new materials, training of specialists for China in Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and others are among key components of the Program. The Ukrainian and Chinese partners plan to establish a Ukrainian-Chinese laboratory of space research as an open international platform for deepening cooperation between China and Ukraine in space research. Moreover, Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and the Ocean University of China will continue to work and establishing the Confucius Institute at our University.
Serhii Sydorenko admitted that the meeting was a breakthrough in cooperation with partners in China and, especially, mentioned the assistance of the Chinese Ambassador for the idea of creating an innovation center in Chongqing.
Approaching the press, Fan Xiangong stressed Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute is significant in establishing and developing scientific and technical cooperation between the People's Republic of China and Ukraine.
The guests learned about the history of the University, its traditions, and its present. They also exhibited the State Polytechnic Museum at Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute and its Department of Aviation History and Astronautics. The Chinese partners did not miss out on the monument to the famous Chinese thinker and politician Confucius.