New season of the international research contest ‘The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation in the context of transforming the system of international relations’ starts at St Petersburg University
The Day of St Petersburg University in the Republic of Uzbekistan has been held at the University. The event included an awarding ceremony for the winners of the international research contest ‘The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation in the context of transforming the system of international relations’ for the 2023/2024 academic year and the launch of the new season of this contest.
For three years, St Petersburg University, in collaboration with the Representative Office of the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) in the Republic of Uzbekistan, has organised an international research contest titled ‘The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation in the context of transforming the system of international relations’. This contest is open to both school and university students from Russia and Uzbekistan who are interested in exploring the shared historical heritage of the two countries and the development of their diplomatic relations. Participants have to submit a research paper on one of the proposed topics.
The awarding ceremony took place in the interactive classroom Future University Student at St Petersburg University. Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions of the University and Co-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the Contest, along with Professor Niyazi Niyazov, Doctor of History, Head of the Department of International Relations in the Post-Soviet Area at St Petersburg University and Chairman of the Contest Jury for the 2023/2024 academic year, presented the winners with diplomas and souvenirs.
The winners of the contest attended the ceremony both in person and remotely to share their experiences of participating in the contest and to encourage prospective participants to try their hand at writing research papers.
The event was also attended remotely by Irina Staroselskaia, Director of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Rostislav Voitekhovskii, Coordinator of Youth, Cultural, and Humanitarian Programmes at the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Uzbekistan. Both have been long-standing collaborators with St Petersburg University. The contest is one of the many successful projects resulting from this partnership.
I never tire of emphasising the open-mindedness and eagerness to learn new things of the young people in Uzbekistan. This contest provides an excellent opportunity for them to showcase their abilities. I encourage both school and university students from Uzbekistan to participate, represent their country proudly, and contribute to its development while strengthening the friendly ties between our nations.
Irina Staroselskaia, Director of the Representative Office of Rossotrudnichestvo in the Republic of Uzbekistan
Aleksandr Khurshudian, Deputy Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions at St Petersburg University, highlighted the key enrolment details and benefits of studying at the branch of St Petersburg University in Tashkent. He noted that the international research contest ‘The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation in the context of transforming the system of international relations’ is one of the many projects of St Petersburg University aimed at identifying and supporting talented school and university students. Aleksandr Khurshudian explained that authors of the best research papers can receive not only diplomas and prizes, but also additional points for university admissions, including admission to the branch of St Petersburg University in Tashkent.
As part of the Day of St Petersburg University in the Republic of Uzbekistan, a signing ceremony of the regulations for the international research contest ‘The Republic of Uzbekistan and the Russian Federation in the context of transforming the system of international relations’ for the 2024/2025 academic year was held to launch the new season of the contest. The regulations were signed in a hybrid format by the co-chairs of the Contest Organising Committee — Aleksandr Babich and Irina Staroselskaia. Aleksandr Babich provided details about the contest for the 2024/2025 academic year, announced the contest dates, and presented the list of research topics. The qualifying stage run from 14 April to 12 May 2025. The results will be announced by 30 May 2025.
Such international contests, held regularly and successfully, are organised in collaboration with only two Representative Offices of Rossotrudnichestvo: one in the Republic of Uzbekistan and the other in the Republic of Belarus. This highlights the exceptional level of cooperation between the Russian Federation and both the Republic of Belarus and the Republic of Uzbekistan.
Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions of St Petersburg University
On 25 April, the branch of St Petersburg University in Tashkent hosted the University Open Day. During the event, school students and university students from the Republic of Uzbekistan had the opportunity to ask representatives of the University questions about the contest, and the winners from the previous season received diplomas and souvenirs.