In Barentsburg, Svalbard, bilateral cooperation agreements were signed between Murmansk Arctic University and Qingdao University (China), as well as between Qingdao University and the Arktikugol Trust, as part of the Russian Federation Government's mandate to establish an international scientific and educational center on the Svalbard archipelago.
The agreement was signed by Dmitry Nesterenko, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, on behalf of Murmansk Arctic University; Ildar Neverov, Director General, on behalf of the Arktikugol Trust; and Mr. Niu Haitao, Vice-Rector, on behalf of Qingdao University. Andrey Chemerilo, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Barentsburg, also attended the ceremony.
Together with the previously signed cooperation agreement between Murmansk Arctic University and the Arktikugol Trust, a trilateral international partnership has been formed, the priority objectives of which are educational programs, internships, and research in the fields of:
Arctic medicine and human well-being in northern latitudes;
Northern diplomacy, in particular, using the example of interaction with the Norwegian side on the Svalbard archipelago;
Mining and mineral extraction;
Construction technologies and materials in the far north;
Ecology and climate change.
During the visit to the Svalbard archipelago, the joint delegation of the UIA, Qingdao University, and the Arctic Science Center of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug (represented by First Deputy Director Alexey Goncharov) examined the sites and premises for the placement of scientific equipment and the permanent presence of research staff. University representatives also visited existing laboratories and learned about the work being carried out by the international scientific and educational center's partners. In particular, they assessed the prospects for establishing a carbon testing site for monitoring methane emissions from permafrost, which have a significant impact on global warming.
"The signed agreements, the study of existing research experience on the archipelago, and promising sites confirmed the important role of the Murmansk Region and Murmansk Arctic University in strengthening Russia's role in the Arctic, developing cooperation with the People's Republic of China, and promoting Russian science and education," noted Dmitry Nesterenko, Vice-Rector for Education at Murmansk Arctic University.
As a reminder, a modern student campus will be created at Murmansk Arctic University at the initiative of Murmansk Region Governor Andrei Chibis and the support of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The main goal is to improve technological capabilities by 2030 and integrate the study and use of artificial intelligence into educational programs.
/ Ministry of Information Policy of the Murmansk Region /