Tomsk State University and Beijing Ruoxi Trading Co, Ltd – a subsidiary of the China National Grain Corporation – signed a memorandum on cooperation at TSU. Both organizations will foster scientific and academic interaction in the field of extreme agriculture – growing crops in adverse weather conditions. Besides, the parties plan to hold joint research, develop educational programs, as well as ensure scientific exchange and joint trainings, workshops and seminars.

The delegation of Beijing Ruoxi Trading Co, Ltd included CEO Zhang Yan and Assistant CEO Hu Chuanning. The delegation met with the leadership of the university and representatives of the Biological Institute and the Faculty of Geology and Geography.

— The delegation came to Tomsk for two reasons. The first is to build contacts with regional agricultural enterprises for joint commercial activities. The second is their interest in a very important and promising topic of growing grain, vegetables and fruits in extreme weather conditions, when bulk soil, greenhouses, heating and other artificial methods are used, says Artyom Rykun, TSU Vice-Rector for International Relations. – We would be very interested in creating a joint research program or laboratory with colleagues. This will allow our scientists to be at the forefront of science, and companies to get an applied result.

At the meeting, TSU employees shared the history of the university, the latest scientific achievements and existing projects. Andrey Babenko, Head of the Department of Agricultural Biology, presented projects aimed at solving problems of environmental and food security. Irina Kuzhevskaya, Associate Professor of the Department of Meteorology and Climatology, told about the agrometeorological direction of the department.

TSU also proposed to develop advanced training courses for employees of Beijing Ruoxi Trading Co, Ltd based on university programs. Most of all, the delegation from China was interested in the programs on Bioinformatics and Molecular Engineering (Higher Engineering School of Agrobiotechnology) and Environmental Management and Audit (Biological Institute).

Beijing Ruoxi Trading Co, Ltd and TSU signed a memorandum on cooperation, within the framework of which they plan to develop and expand scientific and academic cooperation in the following areas:

• joint scientific research aimed at the development of modern methods and technologies in the field of agriculture, increasing yields, sustainability of agricultural systems, environmental and food security.

• development of joint programs, including continuing education programs, courses and dual degree programs.

• exchange of researchers.

• organization of joint trainings, workshops and scientific seminars on the topics of common interest.

The Chinese delegation also met the director of the Confucius Institute of TSU Irina Shvedova and visited the Higher Engineering School of Agrobiotechnology and the Siberian Botanical Garden of TSU.

It should be added that Tomsk State University cooperates with more than 20 Chinese organizations. Among them are leading universities in China, such as Dalian University of Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, North China University of Technology (cooperation in chemistry and engineering chemistry), Shandong University of Technology (pharmacology and medical chemistry), Chongqing University of Science and Art (materials science, Russian as a foreign language, UAV, art and design) and others.