Meeting of the International Expert Group on Energy of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization University

On November 6, 2025, MPEI organized a meeting for the International Expert Group on Energy of the SCO University. As the coordinator of the SCO University’s “Energy” direction, MPEI facilitates cooperation among all universities from SCO member countries participating in this field.

The meeting of the International Expert Group on Energy was online via the platform mpei.ktalk.ru. Representatives from universities in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, and Russia took part in it. MPEI Vice-Rector on International Relations Aleksandr Tarasov and Head of the International Relations Office Sergei Shirinskii chaired the meeting.

In his speech about the SCO University’s “Energy” direction, Aleksandr Tarasov spoke about the Energy Symposium of the SCO University held in Beijing in September. A key topic of the meeting was strengthening cooperation in joint research and organizing the training of engineering personnel at Chinese companies’ production facilities. Aleksandr Tarasov also shared the experience of the Russian Working Group on Energy of the SCO University. Among other activities, the Group holds an annual competition for SCO University students’ graduation projects on energy.

The participants discussed academic mobility issues, as well as challenges posed by different enrollment timelines for master’s programs in SCO countries and the requirement for international students to undergo a dual selection process when applying for Russian government quotas.

Other topics included effective mechanisms for supporting students from partner universities in joint educational programs, best practices in international academic mobility, and the procedures for selecting candidates for joint programs.

The topic of enhancing university collaboration in scientific research was raised several times. The participants decided to start by exchanging information on ongoing scientific conferences, particularly those aimed at involving students, Ph.D.-students, and young researchers.

Among the decisions approved by the International Expert Group on Energy were updating the group’s membership and the contact details of coordinators; collecting proposals for amendments to the SCO University Concept; developing recommendations for implementing the SCO University digital education development plan, approved in May 2025; and discussing the potential use of distance learning technologies to support international academic mobility.

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