On June 23, Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture (BUCEA) signed a dual master’s degree program with Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MGSU) in Structural Engineering and Mathematical & Computer Modeling. This program, as BUCEA’s first innovative practice integrating high-level inbound international education with overseas cooperative education, holds milestone significance. Presidents ZHANG Dayu (BUCEA) and Pavel Akimov (MGSU) signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions. The signing ceremony was chaired by BUCEA Vice President CHEN Zhaohui.

ZHANG Dayu extended a warm welcome to Pavel Akimov and his delegation. He noted that 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the sister-city relationship between Beijing and Moscow, coinciding with a pivotal moment in the high-level development of China-Russia relations. Building on nearly two decades of profound cooperation, the two universities have jointly established their first dual master’s degree program, signifying a breakthrough in the integrated model of high-level inbound international education and overseas cooperative education. He stated that BUCEA and MGSU would take this as a new starting point to deepen collaboration across multiple domains—including joint discipline development, scientific research cooperation, faculty and student exchange, and training program development—advancing the systematic construction of a global community of higher education in architecture.

Pavel Akimov expressed gratitude for BUCEA’s hospitality. He emphasized that this joint program not only elevates the strategic partnership between the universities but also aligns with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s strategic goal of attracting 500,000 international students to Russia by 2030. He highlighted that MGSU is one of Russia’s 29 National Research Universities, with its Architecture and Civil Engineering disciplines ranked among the nation’s top-tier programs. Pavel Akimov expressed confidence in leveraging Sino-Russian educational cooperation to establish a high-standard academic system and cultivate globally competent, interdisciplinary professionals. Additionally, MGSU pledged full support for flagship initiatives including the 2025 BRAUIC Conference & Forum, International Summer School, and International Student Competition on Digital Architectural Design, jointly exploring new dimensions of international collaboration with BUCEA.

During the meeting, representatives from both universities discussed and reached consensus on cooperative intentions regarding discipline development, talent cultivation, and curriculum design.