The unveiling ceremony for the Sino-Russian Consortium for Innovation in Forestry Education, Science and Industry took place in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Monday, prior to Russian President Vladimir Putin's state visit to China on May 19-20.
Jointly initiated by Northeast Forestry University and Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University, the consortium includes 48 universities, research institutes and enterprises from both countries.
It focuses on talent cultivation, joint research and cultural and industrial exchanges, promoting faculty and student exchanges, course sharing and joint labs to advance sustainable forestry development.
Representatives from the founding universities and an enterprise partner elaborated on the significance of the consortium and its expected impact.
Song Wenlong, president of Northeast Forestry University, highlighted the transformative nature of the partnership.
"The consortium marks a shift from loose exchanges to institutionalized, normalized and substantive cooperation. It has greatly enhanced the international cultivation of forestry talents and the original innovation capacity in scientific research, contributing Chinese and Russian wisdom and strength to deepening China-Russia good-neighborly friendship, empowering regional green development, and building a global ecological security barrier," said Song.
Irina Melnychuk, president of Saint Petersburg State Forest Technical University, spoke about the long-standing friendship and the new synergy the consortium aims to create.
"Our two universities have a long history of friendship. However, to enhance the effectiveness of our cooperation, we decided to establish this consortium. We hope it will generate this kind of synergy. For all those involved in this consortium, there is an opportunity to achieve such significant new results," said Melnychuk.
Alexander Resin, a representative of a Russian enterprise, emphasized the talent exchange and practical immersion opportunities the consortium will provide.
"Today, both China and Russia need highly professional and well-educated talents. Of course, this also provides opportunities for Chinese students to intern at Russian enterprises and for Russian students to intern at Chinese enterprises. This is a very beneficial exchange of ideas, plans, goals and tasks, as well as an opportunity to immerse oneself in real production processes," said Resin.
By 2025, China and Russia had established over 150 cooperative education institutions and programs.
Fifteen university alliances of similar types have brought together more than 800 universities from the two countries to carry out joint scientific research and collaborative innovation.
Sino-Russian forestry education consortium launched in northeast China for green growth
Boarding schools have become a good choice for children whose families are living across vast grasslands and high mountain valleys to receive education in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.
For years, getting an education was a major challenge for local children in Xizang's Nagqu, which sits at an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, making it one of the highest cities in the country. The students that benefit from boarding schools include 13-year-old Tenzin Lobsang, who was enjoying his vacation at a pasture, where he helped his grandparents herd the sheep, shear wool, and milk the sheep.
On the last day of his vacation, Lobsang had to prepare for school and review his lessons. His school is located at the center of Nagqu's Baingoin County, about a two-hour drive from home. He lives on campus during semesters.
Lobsang's mother Dawa Drolma said she and her husband work full-time, while Lobsang's grandparents are usually busy in the herding fields. Schools are located far from home, therefore boarding school became the best choice.
"We asked around and learned that Baingoin Sinopec Primary School is good. We also asked about the teachers. Everything is good there, including the food and dorms. So we chose that school," she said. For children like Lobsang who are from remote herding areas, boarding not only makes education possible, but also eases their parents' worries.
"We feel very much at ease. When he is at school, we never have to worry about anything going wrong. At parent-teacher meetings, we find out he gets one or two awards every single day, and the teachers are always praising him. As parents, that just makes us really happy," she said.
"By boarding at school, I want to be more independent and not rely on my parents for everything. If I kept thinking about them and calling them all the time, they would worry about how I'm settling into the dorm. I don't want them to worry," said Lobsang
After lunch, Lobsang's grandfather prepared to take him back to school by motorcycle. The farewell carried a touch of sadness, but their blessings were wrapped within the white khata, a traditional Tibetan scarf symbolizing good wishes.
Built in 2012 with investment from Sinopec, Baingoin Sinopec Primary School is widely known as "the aid-funded primary school that's closest to the sky."
"Our school has expanded from 850 students to 1,345 now. And when it comes to the school's facilities, it's not just the best in Bangoin County, but one of the best in the whole Nagqu region. You could even compare it to some schools in Lhasa," said Ngawang Wangdu, principal of the school.
The school has six student dormitories -- three for boys and three for girls -- equipped with not only winter heating systems and running water, but also abundant daily supplies such as shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpastes, soaps and face creams, according to dormitory administrator Udrup Tsomo.
With free meals for all students, food safety and balanced nutrition are top priorities.
"In addition to three meals a day, we also provide nutritional subsidies for students. So between classes, we also give them milk, bread and fruit, all carefully chosen for the students to enjoy," said Wangdu.
Alongside Mandarin, mathematics, and English, Tibetan language studies are also a compulsory part of the curriculum.
Extracurricular activities are also emphasized. Each year, the school's sponsors support around 50 students on study tours to other Chinese cities, an experience many local families consider life changing.
Lobsang was given such an opportunity, and that trip inspired him to dream beyond the grasslands. In Beijing, he visited Tian'anmen and the Old Summer Palace.
He said he was especially impressed by China Science and Technology Museum, which made him realize how powerful technology can be.
"I want to get into a better middle school. And when I grow up, I really hope to attend the National University of Defense Technology because when I scroll through videos online, I often see content about the university. It seems like they turn out a lot of outstanding talents there. I really want to get into that university, and serve in the military," said the boy, when it came to his goals in the future.
For children like Lobsang, the path ahead is no longer limited by geography or distance, but shaped by the dreams and ambitions they choose to pursue.
In old Xizang, the illiteracy rate was over 95 percent. By 2024, nearly 98 percent of students completed nine-year compulsory education, while the high school enrollment rate reached 91.56 percent.
Since 2012, Xizang has offered 15 years of free education, covering tuition, meals and boarding from kindergarten through high school.
Boarding schools help Xizang students from remote areas get education
Boarding schools help Xizang students from remote areas get education
