The Institute of Region and Country Studies (IRCS) at Xi'an Shiyou University (XSYU) was officially established in May 2024. The institute features a dedicated Academic Committee comprising nine renowned experts in regional and country studies from across China. It boasts a team of over 50 full-time and part-time faculty, researchers, and administrative staff. Leveraging XSYU's profound disciplinary strengths and talent cultivation experience in core areas such as Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, Foreign Languages, Humanities, Economics & Management, and Computer Science, IRCS has established an interdisciplinary program in Regional and Country Studies. This program successfully obtained approval for a first-level discipline Master's degree authorization point in September 2024.
Research Focus：
Serving as a comprehensive academic platform, IRCS is a substantive, interdisciplinary research institution integrating academic research, talent cultivation, think tank development, and international exchange. Its core mission is to serve the national energy security strategy. Focusing on critical issues like regional energy international cooperation and energy security, IRCS prioritizes research on energy-rich Central Asia. It conducts targeted studies on China-foreign energy cooperation and development, alongside regional political economy, historical geography, and socio-cultural research. By strengthening interdisciplinary integration and fulfilling its policy advisory function, IRCS strives to become the "think tank" for the overseas expansion of China's petroleum and petrochemical industry. It aims to provide robust intellectual support for the national energy security strategy and promote the healthy and sustainable development of Sino-foreign energy cooperation.
Scope of Work：
1.Academic Research: Organizes diverse academic activities to generate high-level research outcomes focused on serving the national energy security strategy, contributing academic insights to society.
2. Academic Management: Integrates regional and country studies resources across XSYU, organizes and coordinates project applications and research outcome evaluations, dedicated to enhancing the university's overall academic output capacity in this field.
3. Talent Cultivation: Explores talent cultivation plans, interdisciplinary curriculum systems, and teaching models for the newly established Master's program in Regional and Country Studies. Aims to cultivate high-level interdisciplinary talents proficient in both research and application, meeting the demands of regional and country studies.
4. Think Tank Development: Guided by the principle of serving the national energy security strategy, conducts regional and country studies to provide policy recommendations and consulting services to relevant government departments, enterprises, and institutions. Offers training services in relevant languages, cultures, laws, and regulations centered on the needs of China-foreign energy cooperation projects, ensuring their safe operation.
5. International Engagement: Establishes connections and strengthens exchanges and cooperation with various domestic and international regional and country studies institutions and think tanks. Regularly invites renowned domestic and international experts and scholars for seminars, and hosts or co-hosts relevant conferences and forums.
Visual Highlights of IRCS Activities：
Delegation from XSYU Institute of Regional and Country Studies visiting Yagshygeldi Kakayev International Oil and Gas University in Turkmenistan
Participants at the Inaugural Ceremony and Discipline Construction Symposium of XSYU's Institute of Regional and Country Studies
Unveiling ceremony for the new Institute of Region and Country Studies at Xi'an Shiyou University, attended by university leadership
Mr. Lu Ruquan, President of CNPC Economics & Technology Research Institute (ETRI), and delegation in discussion with XSYU leadership and IRCS representatives
Signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between XSYU Institute of Regional and Country Studies and Baku Higher Oil School, Azerbaijan
Group photo of participants in the "Elite Blue-Collar" International Competency Training Program jointly organized by XSYU IRCS and China Petroleum First Construction Corporation
(Content and statistics updated as of June 2025)
