On Wednesday, July 22, Samara University opened the international summer scientific seminar "Production and Testing of Aircraft Engines." The 19 participants, students from Northwestern Polytechnical University (Xi'an, China), will spend nine days exchanging expertise, studying various aspects of aircraft engine building in Samara, presenting their own engine modernization projects, and exploring Russian traditions and culture.
The seminar was officially opened by Anna Rozenzweig, First Vice-Rector for Research, and Victoria Bolgova, Vice-Rector, who warmly welcomed the international students.
"Today, we are launching an international scientific intensive based on a highly relevant and important engineering challenge," noted Anna Rozenzweig. "Our guests from China will use the university's laboratories to explore the intricacies of designing, manufacturing, and testing aircraft engines. Afterward, working in teams, the students will develop and defend their own projects. This is an excellent opportunity to test their skills in solving pressing engine-building tasks and to strengthen the scientific ties between our universities."
During practical sessions, seminar participants will explore power plant configurations based on existing engines using advanced materials and technologies. They will also analyze current trends in the further development of gas turbine engines, such as distributed propulsion systems, hybrid configurations, and energy recuperation. Upon completion of the training and project defense, participants will receive a certificate awarding two credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS).
The cultural program includes a comprehensive city tour of Samara, visits to the local Ethnographic Museum and the Volga Railway Equipment Museum, and a day trip to the picturesque Volga village of Shiryaev, renowned for its stunning nature and rich cultural history. It was here that the great artist Ilya Repin painted his sketches and selected the models for his famous masterpiece, Barge Haulers on the Volga.
"We firmly believe that a world-class engineer must possess a broad worldview," shared Victoria Bolgova. "Therefore, our seminar is designed to show Chinese students the full diversity of Samara in these intensive days. We guide them from the university's laboratories and training airfield to the vast expanses of the Volga in Shiryaev, the most beautiful village in our region, and from the unique collection of the Center for the History of Aircraft Engines to the traditional Russian matryoshka and the Ethnographic Museum. I am genuinely delighted that the students will not only immerse themselves in the world of technology within the university walls but also feel the soul of our city: walking its streets and sharing the emotions of a football match with Russian students at the stadium that hosted the 2018 FIFA World Cup."
The seminar is organized by the Career and Employment Department of Samara University. International summer schools for foreign students have been held annually at the university since 2015.
"Since 2015, we have been implementing a project for international short-term educational programs in collaboration with our colleagues, and for over five years, we have been actively cooperating with Northwestern Polytechnical University in China," said Olga Esipova, Head of the Career and Employment Department at Samara University. "We thank our colleagues for this fruitful cooperation and hope our guests will be thoroughly satisfied with their trip. This year's program is, as always, rich in both scientific and cultural aspects: from exploring the achievements of global and Russian science in engine building, including additive manufacturing, to visiting our university's training airfield. Special words of gratitude go to the student volunteers of Samara University, who help our guests feel right at home in Samara."
The seminar will conclude on July 30.
Photo: Olesya Orina
