TWENTY-NINE Russian students were in the spotlight as Shanghai Jiao Tong University began its new semester over the weekend.

The Russians, who were checking in at the reception desk of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, are the first class of students of a master's program jointly launched by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Moscow Aviation Institute.

The program is designed to serve the demand for top talent in aviation technologies for both China and Russia.

Cheng Jiaojie, Party chief of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, said the program was launched to explore a new international mode of education in alliance with the industry “with the background of China’s Belt and Road initiative and the cooperative programs of a wide-body jet between China and Russia.”

The joint program is not a simple copy of the existing curriculum of the two schools, but is specially designed with cooperation of the parties, as well as aviation companies, such as the United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation in Russia, as well as the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China and the AVIC Commercial Aircraft Engine Co, according to Cheng.

The 29 Russians will have lessons and internships together with about 21 Chinese students over the following two and a half years. They will spend the first year in Shanghai, the next year in Moscow, and the final half year back in Shanghai. They will receive instruction and training from both teachers at the two schools and aviation engineers.

A bachelor’s program is also under planning and will start with 30 Russian students and 30 Chinese next year.

Kseniya Korovina, a female student focusing on aeronautical material research, said she was glad to come to Shanghai. “Russia is good at aviation, but this program is attractive to me because it's a cooperation program between our two countries,” she said. “Isolation no longer works now.”

Eugine Gaegev, who will focus on engine study, said he is fond of Chinese culture and wished to learn Mandarin.He also said he would like to work in cooperative programs between China and Russia and make a contribution to the development of the aviation industry in both countries.