SCO University

The idea of SCO University was proposed by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the Bishkek Summit on 16 August 2007 and supported by the SCO member states – the Republic of Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, the Kyrgyz Republic, and the Republic of Tajikistan.

A concept of the establishment and functioning of the SCO University was subsequently developed and signed at the meeting of the SCO Education Ministers in Astana on 28 October 2008. (Supplement 1)

On 6 September 2017, the SCO member states met in Astana to sign an agreement on the establishment and functioning of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation University.

The main mission of SCO University is to provide joint training of highly qualified personnel on the basis of coordinated innovative educational programmes in the areas of priority interest for the economic and social development of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation member states (hereinafter referred to as the SCO or Organisation).

• Maintain a common education space and integration trends.

• Promote the exchange of students, post-graduate students, doctoral students, and the academic staff.

• Promote academic cooperation.

• Introduce modern educational methods and technologies.

• Conduct expert analysis and develop recommendations in the specific spheres of SCO cooperation.

• Train personnel for SCO bodies and its affiliated organisations.

SCO University is a network of head (base) universities of the SCO member states with a coordinated education programme.

• Master’s, PhD (postgraduate studies), and Bachelor’s degrees

• advanced training, professional retraining, and remote education programmes

• full-time

• official SCO languages: Russian and Chinese

• national languages of the SCO member states

• English usage possible

• Each country determines the head (base) universities in the areas of training.

• The head (base) universities choose a coordinating university for each area of training.

• The head (base) universities coordinate the education programmes of SCO University in accordance with the agreed methods.

• Students enrol at a national head (base) university of SCO University.

• Students can continue their training at another head (base) university (under coordinated programmes).

The SCO University Coordination Council is the supreme governing body of the University accountable to the conference of the SCO member states’ education ministers.

The Coordination Council is comprised of one government representative from each SCO member state responsible for formulating state policy and legal regulation in the sphere of education (usually at the level of deputy head), as well as the chairs of the council of rectors.

The SCO University Coordination Council:

• drafts its rules of procedure, which are approved by decision of the meeting of the SCO member states’ ministers of education;

• approves the University Charter;

• appoints University rector;

• approves long-term and annual work plans of the University based on the proposals submitted by the University rector;

• hears reports by the University rector on the implementation of long-term and annual work plans of the University.

The Board of Trustees of the University is established to provide assistance to the University in the implementation of joint education programmes and scientific and technological projects, attract additional extra-budgetary funds, promote the University’s interests at state and non-state organisations, non-governmental foundations and organisations, and create a positive image of the University in the global education community.

The University Board of Trustees consists of representatives of state and non-stage organisations, non-governmental foundations and public organisations, as well as experts from the member states.