Double diploma – double pride: the first historical graduation at the East Liaoning University

      On June 16, a diploma awarding ceremony was held in the city of Dandong (China) for the first group of bachelor's graduates from the joint program of Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov and the East Liaoning University in the field of "Teaching Chinese as a Foreign Language." This day became not just an academic event, but a real celebration for students and teachers. For the first time in the history of cooperation between the two universities, Russian students received diplomas from a Chinese university after completing a two-year dual diploma program. The ceremony was attended by Anastasia Alexandrovna Kokurina, an associate professor of the Department of Theory and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages at KIU and the director of the Chinese Language Center at KIU. The meeting took place in a warm, almost family atmosphere – with congratulations, hugs, and words of gratitude addressed to the teachers. The rector of East Liaoning University, Mr. Fu Li Bin, congratulated the graduates and emphasized: "This is an important result of our joint efforts, which we rightfully share. We thank our colleagues from Kazan for their professionalism, involvement, and care for our students." In turn, Vice-Rector Ti Xu noted: "We highly value the strong partnership with your university and are ready to continue working together for the stable and long-term development of current projects." The program is especially valuable due to the vivid impressions of the students themselves. Two years of life and study in China became a true linguistic and cultural immersion for them. Roman Morozov admits that the first days were not easy: "When we first arrived, it was scary – we didn't fully understand the local accent and worried about how everything would turn out. But the teachers turned out to be very kind and responsive, always helping. The main advice for those who are just about to go: a large city offers more opportunities for language learning. In Dandong, English is hardly used, and this is surprising at first, but it allows you to fully immerse yourself in the environment." Ilya Beylin shares his experience of a language leap: "In Kazan, Chinese was only needed in classes. Here – every day: communication with couriers, teachers, friends, ordering food. At first, native speakers' speech seemed fast, while teachers spoke deliberately slowly, articulating each tone. After a year, the teachers switched to a natural conversational pace, and I noticed that I started speaking fluently – even babbling in Chinese. The success is evident to the naked eye." Timur Tikhonov added that the main discovery is overcoming the language barrier: "Even with a good level, there was initially a moral shock. But the environment does its job: after a month, you stop being afraid, after three – you start thinking in Chinese, and after a year – you feel almost at home." All graduates agreed on one thing: the language environment is the best teacher. And although the path was not easy, it is precisely this that made the result truly valuable. Today, the first graduates of the dual program hold diplomas that open doors to international education and careers. This is a shared victory for Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. Timiryasov and East Liaoning University – a victory that proves that sincere cooperation and hard work always bear fruit.

      Congratulations to the graduates and thanks to everyone who made this project a reality!

      More news about the event:

      Dual diploma – double pride: the first historic graduation at East Liaoning University

      On June 16, a diploma awarding ceremony was held in the city of Dandong (China) for the first group of bachelor's graduates from the joint program of Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. 14:12 19.06.2026 KIU - Kazan

      Dual diploma – double pride: the first historic graduation at East Liaoning University

      On June 16, a diploma awarding ceremony was held in the city of Dandong (China) for the first group of bachelor's graduates from the joint program of Kazan Innovative University named after V.G. 13:38 19.06.2026 IEUP - Kazan

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