Zhang Yao, Vice Chair of the University Committee of Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), led a delegation to Russia and Kazakhstan from June 28 to July 5, visiting partner institutes such as Moscow State University (MSU), St. Petersburg State University, and Al-Farabi Kazakh National University, aiming to foster pragmatic cooperation in education and technology with the two countries.

At Moscow State University (MSU), Zhang Yao met with Vice-Rector Yuri Mazei and his team, and signed a student exchange agreement between the two universities. HUST's representatives also engaged with MSU's Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics and the Faculty of Physics.

Zhang Yao met with Vice-Rector Elena Odoyevskaya during a visit to the Higher School of Economics University (HSE), where both parties signed a memorandum of understanding on inter-university collaboration. They also agreed to promote interdisciplinary integration and co-launch the annual “China-Russia Dialogue on Digital Governance”, an event designed to enhance the two universities' influence in digital governance.

At the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, Zhang Yao held discussions with Vice-Rector Vitaly Bagan and Andrey Rogachev, Head of the Landau Institute for Theoretical Physics, on key initiatives including mutual exchanges, joint doctoral student training programs, and deepening collaborative research.

At St. Petersburg State University, Zhang Yao met with Executive Vice-Rector Konstantin Malkovskiy. The two sides renewed the memorandum of understanding on the universities' collaboration and the agreement on a seed grant for joint research projects, reviewed the achievements of the seed grant initiative over the past three years across multiple disciplines, and reached a consensus to further expand student exchange.

At ITMO University, Zhang Yao met with President Vladimir Vasilyev, during which he highlighted the decade-long cooperative relationship between the two universities, underscored their foundation and achievements in talent cultivation and scientific research, and expressed hope for a stronger partnership. Vasilyev echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the potential for deeper collaboration through joint postgraduate training programs and innovative research endeavors.

In Kazakhstan, Zhang Yao met with Vice-Rector Alina Galeyeva at Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and signed an agreement to co-establish a joint research center for advanced computing. The delegation also visited related research and innovation platforms and laboratories.

The delegation also visited Consul General Luo Zhanhui and staff members at the Chinese Consulate-General in Saint Petersburg, where both sides exchanged views on enhancing Sino-Russian cooperation in education, science, and talent exchange.