October 28, 2014, the vice-rector of the Ruhr University Bochum (Germany) Professor Andreas Ostendorf has visited MEPhI to discuss strategic partnership between MEPhI and Ruhr University, as well as details of the cooperation agreement. Special attention was paid to the cooperation in the field of dual master's degrees, as the Ruhr University has gained considerable experience in this area. Professor Ostendorf proposed to begin masters’ exchanges in 2015, starting from the third semester of the magistracy, because the curriculum of the third semester is more flexible and easier to be adapted to the mutual credits. Duration of masters’ visits can be from one to two terms (third and fourth semesters). Students, who successfully master the core courses of the two universities, will be issued a Master of Science in Lasers and Photonics of the MEPhI and the Ruhr University Bochum. Participants of the meeting also discussed the possibility of students from the Ruhr University to participate in events conducted by the MEPhI (such as Winter school and others).

Discussion resulted in preparation of a cooperation Agreement. It involves exchange of researchers, teachers, graduate students and masters; organization of a two-year dual master's diplomas in the field of Lasers and Photonics; mutual assistance in the training of researchers and teachers; exchange of experience in the development of new methods and technologies of teaching; sharing of articles on research results; organization of joint academic competitions, schools, meetings and conferences; participation in joint researches and grants.