MPEI delegation took part in the first summer school of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

8-16 July, 2026, MPEI delegation took part in the first international summer school hosted by Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. The university launched this program for the first time in 2026.

MPEI participants included Olga Lushchikova and Darya Alyokhina, students of the Advertising, Public Relations and Linguistics Department (Institute of the Humanities and Applied Sciences); Maria Vykup, Ph.D.-student of the Steam and Gas Turbines Department (Institute of Power Machinery and Mechanics, IPMM), Deputy Director of IPMM and Leading Engineer at the Research Laboratory of Steam and Gas Turbines; Irina Sazonova, Ph.D.-student of the Management in Power Engineering and Industry Department (Engineering-Economic Institute), Leading Specialist at the Directorate for International Relations.

Irina Sazonova delivered a welcome speech at the opening ceremony. She introduced MPEI, thanked the organizers for hosting the summer school and wished all participants an inspiring and successful international experience.

The program brought together 33 bachelor, master and Ph.D. students from 12 Russian universities representing different regions of the Russian Federation. The agenda included lectures, engineering workshops, cultural events and a guided tour around Nanjing.

Nanjing ranks among the oldest cities in China and served as the southern capital during several historical periods. Today, it stands as a modern scientific and technological hub where the heritage of the Ming and Qing dynasties meets ongoing innovation.

During the academic program, participants attended lectures on the development of the aerospace industry. The organizers placed strong emphasis on hands-on learning. Students joined workshops in traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting, which helped them gain deeper insight into Chinese culture.​

Key highlights of the program included workshops on 3D printing and aircraft model construction using KT panels. Participants explored the fundamentals of aircraft design, assembled models from prepared components, and prepared them for testing. After assembly, they carried out test flights and aerodynamic evaluations, followed by a competition based on flight performance. Olga Lushchikova and Darya Alyokhina, students of the Advertising, Public Relations and Linguistics Department, achieved outstanding results and won first place.

As part of the cultural program, participants visited major historical landmarks of Nanjing, including the Imperial Palace complex and the Confucius Temple (Fuzimiao), gaining a deeper understanding of China’s cultural heritage.

The program also included meetings with representatives of the International Cooperation Office of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics. These meetings established working contacts and supported further development of partnership cooperation and academic mobility opportunities.

The summer school concluded with a “talent evening”, where MPEI participants, together with students from other Russian universities, performed songs from “The Bremen Town Musicians” and “Innovators”. This cultural exchange strengthened intercultural connections, increased the university’s visibility, and contributed to the development of cooperation with China and future student exchange opportunities.​

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Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, founded in 1952, ranks among the leading technical universities in China. As one of the country’s first aviation institutions, it now holds a strong position in aerospace engineering and civil aviation research. The university combines engineering and natural sciences with programs in economics, management and the humanities. It enrolls over 30,000 students and includes 189 research institutes and three national key laboratories, confirming its status as a major aerospace research center actively involved in national aviation, space, and defense programs.