Our Lecturers in China: Educational Practices and Cultural Exchange

BSTU named after V. G. Shukhov actively cooperates with the Chinese Linyi University on a double degree program. This is the largest university in Asia, the area of ​​which is 4 million square meters, and the number of students exceeds 39 thousand. Currently, more than 300 students are studying there on the machine manufacturing program.

Every year,BSTU lecturers travel to Linyi University to conduct classes. In 2024, more than 20 academic staff members visited the Chinese university and gave classes to students. Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology at BSTU named after Shukhov Andrey Khurtasenko went to China for the first time at the end of 2024. In the coming days, he will have another trip to China.

Andrey Vladimirovich considers his first experience of working in China as exclusively positive. The lecturer agrees with his colleagues regarding local students - they are more organized, diligent, responsible and independent. At the same time, they help each other and spend a lot of time together outside the walls of the educational institution.

According to Andrey Vladimirovich, at Linyi University there is not so much personal control over students from lecturers, and communication is maintained through the monitor of the group:

“The educational process is scheduled, by days, by classrooms, and everything goes as it is written. If you need to change some classes, they have 2-3 people who manage the group. Well, and most importantly, the monitor can coordinate the schedule and transfer classes. And all issues during the course of study are resolved through the monitor.”

There are also differences in the internal atmosphere of the university. The organization of the educational process by the university administration has more authoritarian character, and the time-table of lecturers is tighter. Despite all the organization and discipline of the Chinese students, the educational process was slowed down by two factors: the difference in the curricula and still not sufficient knowledge of the Russian language.

"Their knowledge was not as deep as that of students in our specialty. We have a mechanical engineering profile with classical machine manufacturing technology, and for them, it seemed, it was more connected with transport mechanical engineering, so they did not know the general technical basic subjects as deeply," Andrei Vladimirovich explained.

Despite the fact that Chinese students study Russian, their level of mastery is still insufficient: "Some understand better, but most were using translators." At first, it was necessary to explain simple things and construct sentences so that the voice input on the translators correctly conveyed the idea.

The lecturer was also impressed by the organization of the society. The Chinese attend public events, like to participate in various activities, and respect state policy.

“Everyone fulfills their duties with the diligence as their health, physical strength, and moral principles allow,” Andrey Khurtasenko emphasized.

Well, how can you visit the Celestial Empire and not see the country? The list of attractions includes a historical and museum area where you can see China in all its glory, and places associated with Confucius. The local food also left no one indifferent.

“All the dishes are delicious, but some are very spicy, and some are moderately spicy. The Chinese have a tradition of drinking warm water with everything, and if you get used to it, you can eat even spicier,” the teacher shared his impressions.