The predecessor of Harbin Engineering University, Institute of Military Engineering of the People’s Liberation Army of China (“HME” for abbreviation), was established in 1953. HEU is accredited as one of the key universities receiving preferential support in the first batch of the “211 Project”. Discipline of “Modern Ships and Deep Ocean Engineering” is selected as a construction project of “Innovation Platform for Advantageous Disciplines” under the “985 Project”. HEU is the only university to offer “Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering”, a key construction discipline selected into China’s “Double First-Class” Initiative.

As a university covered by “Double First-Class” Initiative, HEU vigorously echoes with the national strategic needs and actively contributes to the overall national development. HEU gives full play to its geographical advantages and historical traditions. Over many years, HEU has carried out in-depth exchanges and cooperation with universities and research institutions of BRICS countries (especially Russia).

1. Talent Cultivation: Thanks to Chinese Government Scholarship—Country Award, China-Brazil “Ciencia sem Fronteiras (Science Without Borders) Scholarship Program, Chinese People-to-People Exchange Scholarship Program, HEU Scholarship Program for Foreign Students, Inter-university Exchange Program, self-funding and other forms, a total of 901 Russians, nine Brazilian students, five Indian students, and four South African students have been cumulatively fostered. Through the joint training programs, a total of more than 140 Chinese undergraduates have been cumulatively sent to study for academic degrees in Russia. In 2021, as a sub-competition area, HEU co-organized the 2nd Competition on Promoting BRICS Industrial Innovation Cooperation.

2. Faculty Strength: Currently, HEU brings together seven Chinese teachers who return back after obtaining academic degrees from Russia, as well as four Russian teachers. During the 13th “Five-Year Plan” Period, a total of 211 Russian experts and scholars conducted academic exchanges or long-term cooperative researches with HEU, while a total of 241 Chinese teachers and research fellows of HEU conducted academic exchanges or cooperative research across Russia, Brazil, India and South Africa. Multilateral personnel exchanges positively facilitate academic exchanges and scientific research cooperation.

3. Academic Exchange: HEU has maintained frequent academic exchanges with 26 well-known universities (such as Saint Petersburg State University, Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University) and 23 research institutions (such as MariNet Russia). In 2018, HEU began to cooperate with Krylov State Scientific Center. Great efforts have been made by HEU to advance the cooperation with Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University, Peter the Great Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University, Northern (Arctic) Federal University and Far Eastern Federal University in the field of “Shipbuilding and Ocean Engineering”, which reap plentiful fruits through all-round scientific research cooperation, technology research and development, talent cultivation, establishment of international think tanks and international innovation bases for producers, university, research institutes and users. These contents are included in Meeting Minutes of the 3rd Meeting of the Industrial Cooperation Subcommittee of China-Russia Prime Ministers’ Regular Meeting Committee.

4. Research Cooperation: Up to now, HEU has launched 71 joint research projects with Russian universities in the realms of ship engineering, energy, materials, mechanics, artificial intelligence, marine information, communications, among others. Among them, China-Russia Joint Laboratory on Polar Technology and Equipment, jointly established with Saint Petersburg State Marine Technical University, has been approved by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology as one of the “Belt and Road” joint laboratories (the first batch). International Innovation and Cooperation in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Alliance (ICNAME), initiated and advocated by HEU, witnesses the extensive presence from Russian, Brazilian and Indian universities and research institutions.

At present, HEU spares no effort to play a part in the “Belt and Road” Initiative and the “BRICS” Construction Framework, makes full use of its academic advantages, vigorously gains ground in cooperation and exchanges with the BRICS and the “BRICS+” International, and propels the improvement of talent cultivation capabilities. Next, efforts will be mainly exerted in the following aspects:

1. On the basis of the previous cooperation achievements, HEU will give full play to its advantages, pinpoint the converging development needs of all parties, continuously fulfill the training tasks for international students from BRICS countries, provide talent pool for construction and development of cooperation mechanisms of BRICS countries by courtesy of Chinese Government Scholarship, China-Russia People-to-People Exchange Scholarship and other programs, actively carry out innovation-oriented talent cultivation projects in Russia, and furnish talent reserves for mutual cooperation and exchanges with Russia.

2. HEU will allow full play to the development advantages in shipbuilding and ocean engineering, polar technology and equipment and other fields, respond to the needs of the “Maritime Silk Road” and “Arctic Channel”, and carry out related scientific and technological research with the universities across Russia and other BRICS countries.

3. HEU will gain ground in bilateral academic exchanges, construct joint laboratories, bring in outstanding young talents in an endless stream from BRICS countries, jointly hold international academic conferences, and give impetuses to the common development of bilateral science and technology.

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