"Now we have one joint university, in the near future there will be at least five of them, in the very next few years. The [Russian] Ministry of Science and Higher Education, including with our assistance, is launching this work," Babaev said.
The expert has also said that joint research would be conducted in various fields, including social sciences and natural and technical disciplines, adding that China is Russia's main partner in megascience projects, medical and biotechnology developments, data analysis and artificial intelligence.
Several joint universities may open in 2025 in China, Babaev said.
"In recent years, the level of mutual trust and understanding between Russian and Chinese scientists has been growing. The more we meet and discuss different issues, even controversial, the closer we are to consensus," he added.
Russia and China currently have one joint university in the Chinese city of Shenzhen. The Shenzhen MSU–BIT University was established in 2016 as a joint project of the Beijing Institute of Technology, Moscow State University and the Shenzhen municipal government. The university's main aims include training of young specialists in China based on Russian educational programs necessary for the realization of Chinese and Russian economic projects in the Asia-Pacific region, development of cultural dialogue and mutual understanding of peoples.