International Winter School for Students from Two Leading Chinese Universities Held at HSE MIEM
Chinese students gained practical knowledge in the design, assembly, and operation of small spacecraft and systems, as well as in quantum mechanics, superconductivity, and materials science for solar energy.
Specialists and researchers from HSE MIEM hosted a winter school for students from Peking University and Zhejiang University, two of China’s leading higher education institutions. The programme, organised for the first time, included two innovative tracks combining cutting-edge science with hands-on practice: ‘Modern Science: Quantum Technologies, Materials and Computational Frontiers’ and ‘CubeSat Systems Research.’ The school aims to promote Russian engineering education among international students and to increase the international visibility of HSE University and its academic programmes.
‘MIEM prioritises international partnerships with China’s leading universities. Through our winter school, we have opened a new chapter in cooperation with top Chinese institutions—Peking University and Zhejiang University. The participating students highly appreciated the programme curriculum and quality of instruction. For us, this is an important step towards further partnership development in student exchanges, double degree programmes and deeper research collaboration. Recently, the President of the Russian Federation declared 2026 and 2027 the Years of Russian-Chinese Cooperation in Education. Our school has become a bright starting point for an entire range of future joint events and projects,’ said Dmitry Kovalenko, Vice Rector of HSE University and Director of HSE MIEM.
As part of the CubeSat Systems Research track, participants mastered key technologies for the design, assembly and operation of CubeSats—small spacecraft widely used in modern space research for educational projects, scientific experiments, Earth observation, and other applications.
The track was divided into two areas: the development of on-board electronics for CubeSat satellites and Earth remote sensing. Within the first area, the Chinese students completed a full cycle of creating an on-board subsystem—an on-board sensor (payload). This is a real component of a satellite power supply system: when the spacecraft enters the Earth’s shadow and solar panels stop generating energy, the on-board computer must switch to battery power. The students studied the basics of 3D modelling and circuit design, developed a 3D model of the framework, assembled the circuit on a prototyping board, created the schematic diagram and printed circuit board layout, and then manufactured the board in the laboratory using a photoresist method.
The second area—Earth remote sensing—focused on the analysis of satellite imagery. Participants mastered the necessary supporting software, learned how to work with multispectral data, calculate vegetation indices, and carry out land classification.
All case studies offered to participants were based on the practical experience of cooperation between staff at the Laboratory of Space Vehicles and Systems’ Functional Safety and companies developing software products for small spacecraft. The laboratory expressed its gratitude to SCANEX Group (engineering and technology centre), a leader in satellite-based Earth monitoring, for its assistance in preparing and delivering the course.
‘Our task was to create an atmosphere of active teamwork focused on practical challenges that engineers in the space sector are solving today. Participants worked with the same problems and technologies as professionals,’ emphasised Dmitrii Abrameshin, Head of the Laboratory of Space Vehicles and Systems’ Functional Safety at HSE MIEM.
‘What impressed the participants most was the hands-on practice. While they were working—etching circuit boards, discovering how a software design transforms into a real device in their own hands—their eyes lit up. Several students already had some experience, so they were given more advanced tasks. Each participant created their own 3D model on a space-related theme, which we printed, so all the students went home with “souvenirs” from Russia as a memento. And, of course, winter in Moscow was a special adventure for them,’ said the course instructor, trainee researcher at the Laboratory of Space Vehicles and Systems’ Functional Safety, and fourth-year MIEM student Ivan Nosov.
The second track—Modern Science: Quantum Technologies, Materials, and Computational Frontiers—focused on breakthrough areas in quantum mechanics, unconventional superconductivity, the development of materials for solar energy, multiscale numerical modelling and asymptotic approaches, the use of artificial intelligence to solve complex physical problems, and other topics. The students studied multiscale modelling and the application of artificial intelligence to solving complex physical challenges.
‘We paid particular attention to demonstrating the connection between fundamental laws, experimental results and real innovations in quantum technologies and energy. Today, discoveries are born at the intersection of disciplines,’ noted Alexei Vagov, Director of the Centre for Quantum Metamaterials at MIEM.
The school lasted for more than a week. During this time, an extensive cultural programme was organised for the guests from partner universities. The Chinese students explored Moscow’s main landmarks: they visited the Kremlin and Red Square, toured the Cosmos Pavilion at VDNH, and went to the Tretyakov Gallery.
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