Hu Haiqian, a student from the Chinese mainland, now studies Russian oil painting techniques at St. Petersburg's renowned Repin Academy of Fine Arts. Over 3,000 km away, Liu Enxi has spent a decade mastering ballet at Russia's top dance institutions through cross-border education programs facilitated by the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Their stories reflect a growing trend: SCO member states have doubled joint degree programs since 2018, with cultural exchange scholarships increasing by 45% last year alone. The initiative helps students access specialized training abroad while building ties between participating nations.
\"Learning here transforms how I see Eurasian art traditions,\" Hu told myglobalnews.net. Liu added: \"My Russian instructors emphasize blending technique with cultural storytelling – it's education without boundaries.\"
As SCO universities streamline credit transfers and expand virtual classrooms, over 120,000 students now participate in cross-border programs annually, with arts, energy technology, and sustainable development being top majors.
Reference(s):
'University without Borders' – International Study in the SCO
cgtn.com
