Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Bishkek, February 11 (Xinhua) — The Lu Ban Workshop is both an active platform and a living bridge for developing educational cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and China. Akylbek Chymyrov, Vice Rector of the Kyrgyz State Technical University (KSTU) and Director of the Lu Ban Workshop in Kyrgyzstan, stated this in an interview with Xinhua.
In October 2024, the Lu Ban Workshop officially opened at KSTU. It was created through the joint efforts of Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Hydropower, KSTU, and other institutions. The workshop features laboratories and classrooms covering over 1,000 square meters, equipped with over 300 pieces of various equipment, including control and measuring instruments, training models, electrical equipment, mechanical equipment, road and bridge equipment, as well as equipment for virtual hydraulic and electric power simulation systems.
"The establishment of the Lu Ban Workshop is of strategic importance for our university and provides a powerful impetus for its modernization," A. Chymyrov stated, adding that thanks to the significant support and assistance of our Chinese partners, KSTU students and faculty have gained access to cutting-edge methods, programs, and, most importantly, high-tech equipment. "This enhances our prestige and attracts the best applicants," he noted.
According to the KSTU Vice-Rector, the opening and operation of the Lu Ban Workshop is a direct contribution to Kyrgyzstan's socioeconomic development. "The country is in dire need of modern engineers for large-scale energy and infrastructure projects. We train specialists with international experience and high standards," the source emphasized to Xinhua, adding that the workshop fosters deep integration between students and faculty, who collaborate on common goals.
"Today, the workshop is no longer a project on paper, but a functioning platform and a living bridge for bilateral cooperation in education," said A. Chymyrov. He explained that the workshop has been equipped with 15 laboratories, three smart classrooms, and a conference hall, where KSTU students undergo practical training, and faculty conduct advanced training courses for engineers.
According to the vice-rector, the workshop is also working on developing new joint educational programs between KSTU and Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Hydropower, using the "2:2" model. "The joint program, 'International Trade,' is already underway; the first 72 students in this new program began studying in 2025," he explained.
Regarding the workshop's immediate development plans, A. Chymyrov noted that these include the full launch of the programs being developed, the development of project-based learning based on real company orders and digital platforms and training courses in collaboration with the Zhejiang University of Water Resources and Hydropower, and the transformation of the workshop into a platform for joint applied research, such as adapting technologies to seismic conditions, as well as exploring artificial intelligence and clean energy.
This year, the capital of Kyrgyzstan will host the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit. According to Xinhua's source, this event will open up significant new opportunities for the workshop. "It will primarily help increase visibility and political support for the workshop, which can be presented as a real, working example of successful humanitarian cooperation within the SCO," A. Chymyrov stated.
The KSTU Vice-Rector believes the event will also expand the workshop's network of partnerships. "The summit will bring together academic and business circles from across the region. This is an opportunity to find new partners for exchange and joint projects," he noted, adding that the event will facilitate synchronization between the Lu Ban Workshop and regional initiatives.
"Our graduates will work on infrastructure projects, many of which are important for all of Central Asia. The summit is a platform to discuss how our educational model can serve these broader goals of cooperation," he emphasized.
This year, Spring Festival (Chunjie, the traditional Chinese New Year according to the lunar calendar) falls on February 17. Ahead of the holiday, A. Chymyrov said: "I sincerely wish for a strong friendship between Kyrgyzstan and China and the continued development of their cooperation in the fields of education and cultural exchanges."
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