Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Participation of St Petersburg University in the St Petersburg International Economic Forum

The 26^th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) took place from 14 to 17 June and has established itself as a leading platform for the business community to communicate and discuss key economic issues facing Russia, emerging markets and the world as a whole. The business programme included several events organised by the University, and its experts traditionally participated in a large number of public discussions and round tables. One of the highlights of the SPIEF 2023 for St Petersburg University was the public presentation of the Research Centre ‘Geopolitical Observatory for Russia’s Key Issues’ (GORKI) at St Petersburg University. The goal of the GORKI Centre is to carry out research on: issues of economic and demographic development; energy independence; migration; and various aspects of visionary diplomacy and Russian foreign policy. Dr Karin Kneissl, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria, and Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, spoke at the Forum about the GORKI Centre’s activities (SPIEF-2023: Professor Karin Kneissl presents the ‘Geopolitical Observatory for Russia’s Key Issues’ established at St Petersburg University).

At the panel session ‘Urban Environment Development: National Theatre as an Economic Model’, initiated by St Petersburg University and the National Drama Theatre of Russia (Alexandrinsky Theatre), experts discussed effective ways of: maintaining the identity of national theatre; integrating international management experience into the context of performing arts; and developing theatre arts today (The role of theatre as a driving force in the transformation of the cultural landscape of Russian regions discussed at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum).

As part of the SPIEF 2023, the details of the events to mark the 300^th anniversary of St Petersburg University were discussed. The discussion was attended by: Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Military Historical Society; Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation; Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg and Member of the St Petersburg University Board of Trustees; and Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. A monument to Sergey Uvarov, President of the Imperial Academy of Sciences and Minister of National Education of the Russian Empire, will be laid on the territory of St Petersburg University to mark its anniversary. A landscaped square with a fountain complex will also be presented to St Petersburg University by the city.

Also, at the SPIEF 2023, St Petersburg University concluded a series of cooperation agreements with major government and business entities, including: financial institution for development in the housing sector in Russia ‘DOM.RF Russia Housing and Urban Development Corporation’ (St Petersburg University and DOM.RF agree to work together to address the shortage of specialists in labour and engineering professions); the Roscongress Foundation (St Petersburg University and the Roscongress Foundation sign a cooperation agreement); the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Youth policy issues to be addressed by St Petersburg University and Rosmolodezh); the Independent Non-Profit Organisation ‘Dialogue Regions’ (St Petersburg University and NPO ‘Dialogue Regions’ to train experts for effective dialogue between society and the state); the Governments of the Magadan Region (Nikolay Kropachev at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2023: ‘Responding to the challenges of the Magadan Region economy is a challenging task for the University’), the Yaroslavl Region (St Petersburg University and the Government of the Yaroslavl Region sign a cooperation agreement at the SPIEF 2023); and Perm Krai (St Petersburg University and the Government of Perm Krai agree on cooperation at the St Peterburg International Economic Forum); the Centre for Military Patriotic Education ‘Avangard’ (As part of St Petersburg International Economic Forum 2023, St Petersburg University and the Centre for Military Patriotic Education “Avangard” agree on cooperation); and others (St Petersburg University and Sber to prepare specialists in the field of information law and data protection; St Petersburg University to develop academic programmes together with the Russian Football Union). Visitors to the stand of St Petersburg University at the SPIEF 2023 exhibition venue were able to watch videos about the University’s research and developments. The stand of the city featured the unique infrastructure of the University.

Meeting of the Organising Committee for preparing and celebrating the 300^th anniversary of St Petersburg University

On 15 June, Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, held a meeting of the Organising Committee for preparing and celebrating the 300^th anniversary of St Petersburg University. The event was part of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

The meeting of the Organising Committee brought together: Sergei Ivanov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University, and a member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Vladimir Knyaginin, Vice-Governor of St Petersburg.

More than 30 anniversary events will take place in 2024. As the speakers noted, large-scale preparatory work has been carried out, a number of projects have been fully implemented, while other events are in progress in accordance with the roadmaps. The celebration will include seven major regional events for all Russian citizens (Dmitry Chernyshenko: 300^th anniversary of St Petersburg University is a bright event for Russia).

Visit of Sergei Ivanov, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University, to the Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus

On 15 June, Sergei Ivanov, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University and Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, visited the Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus (Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation Sergei Ivanov: ‘A strong Russian economy needs strong managers’). Sergei Ivanov; Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Olga Dergunova, Director of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University and Deputy President and Chairman of VTB Bank Management Board, inspected the construction of sports facilities in the Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus and discussed promising areas for the development of the business school.

The participants in the working visit got acquainted with the construction of the complex of outdoor sports facilities. On the land of five hectares, there will be the following facilities for the University students: a football field and stands for 200 seats; workout and crossfit area equipped with exercise equipment; a multifunctional basketball and volleyball court with stands for 50 seats, which can be used as a skating rink in winter; treadmills and a building with locker rooms and a room for coaches. The decision to launch this project was made in December 2022 at the meeting of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. The project completion date is autumn 2023.

The new infrastructure will also appear in the student club of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. With the support of VTB Bank, by the new academic year, the student club in the Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus will be equipped with functional spaces for recreation, co-working, sports, and study.

International activities

According to Vice-Rector for International Affairs Sergey Andryushin, the following events have recently been held.

Meeting of the Rector of St Petersburg University with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation

On 13 June, Rector Nikolay Kropachev met with Nazih El Naggary, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt to the Russian Federation. The meeting focused on intensive cooperation between St Petersburg University and the Arab Republic of Egypt in the field of education. Agreements were reached on the need to expand cooperation in several areas. Among them are the following: opening an office of the Arab Republic of Egypt at St Petersburg University; signing a cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and the Ministry of Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt; inviting leading scholars, political and cultural figures from Egypt to St Petersburg University to give public lectures and participate in seminars and conferences; and ensuring assistance in establishing and developing cooperation with employers in Egypt to name just a few.

Meeting of the Rector of St Petersburg University with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation

On 15 June, Rector Nikolay Kropachev met with Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to the Russian Federation. The meeting focused on the intensive cooperation of St Petersburg University with scientific, educational and corporate partners from the People’s Republic of China. They also discussed the issues relating to ensuring assistance in establishing and developing cooperation with companies-employers of the People’s Republic of China. They also touched upon the topic of the invitation of leading scholars, political and cultural figures from the People’s Republic of China to St Petersburg University to deliver public lectures and participate in seminars and conferences. They also discussed the need to translate laws and regulations of the Russian Federation and China into Russian and Chinese. Other issues were also discussed.

Visit of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to St Petersburg University

On 17 June, Rector of St Petersburg University Nikolay Kropachev met with His Excellency Sheikh Ahmed bin Nasser bin Jasim Al Thani, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Russian Federation. During the meeting, Rector Nikolay Kropachev spoke about the importance of developing relations between St Petersburg University and the universities of the State of Qatar and establishing new ties in cooperation. The Ambassador thanked Rector for organising the visit. The parties agreed to continue negotiations on the development of cooperation between St Petersburg University and organisations of the State of Qatar in the autumn.

Guest lectures at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in the Republic of Korea

On 2 June, the St Petersburg University Representative Office in the Republic of Korea held two guest lectures by Sergei Kurbanov, Professor at St Petersburg University. Among them were the following: ‘History of the Department of Korean Studies at St Petersburg University — the pioneer of the world Korean studies’ and ‘Life and historical places associated with the life of the first Korean envoy in Russia, Lee Beom-jin’. Sergei Kurbanov’s speech aroused great interest among Korean master’s students and postgraduate students. The audience expressed their hope to continue development of inter-university relations.

Visit of representatives of the Harbin Institute of Technology to St Petersburg University

On 5 June, a delegation from the Harbin Institute of Technology (the People’s Republic of China) visited St Petersburg University. The parties discussed the dynamics and prospects of interaction between the two educational organisations; the results of the first year of the implementation of the joint academic programmes in mathematics, chemistry, and physics; and the issues related to the construction of a joint campus in Harbin, which is scheduled to open early next year. An agreement was also signed on the organisation of work over the next ten years of the previously established joint research centres of the Harbin Institute of Technology and St Petersburg University.

Implementation of the research and academic programme for the study of current issues in the development of the countries of the East ‘Asian Dialogue — 2023’

On 5 to 7 June, St Petersburg University and the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund implemented a new research and academic programme for the study of current issues in the development of the countries of the East ‘Asian Dialogue — 2023’. The programme focused on the study of the countries of South Asia. The event brought together more than 50 bachelor’s and master’s students from around the world. It included panel discussions, round tables, and research modelling in the format of situational analysis. There were 19 experts in the field of international relations and current issues in regional and bilateral relations from Russia, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, and the Republic of India. They represented the leading educational and analytical centres of their countries. Among them were the following: the Pakistan House; the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses; the Jawaharlal Nehru University; and the University of Mumbai to name just a few.

The event brought together Denis Alipov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of India; Datla Bala Venkatesh Varma, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation (2018–2021); Hoque Saiful, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bangladesh to the Russian Federation (2009–2019); Muhammad Athar Javed, Director General of Pakistan House; and Elena Remizova, Director of the Russian House in Mumbai. They shared their views on the options for the development of South Asian countries and the prospects for bilateral relations with Russia.

Lectures at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain

On 8 June, the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain held the online lecture ‘Beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. It is a lecture from the series of online meetings ‘Beauty in the language of neurons: the biological foundations of aesthetics’. The lecture was delivered by Daria Podvigina, Candidate of Psychology and Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University. On 12 June, there was an online lecture that focused on the main historical events in Russia in the 20^th century that influenced the culture and architecture of St Petersburg. It was delivered by Olga Armenkova, Assistant Professor in the Department of Foreign Languages for Students in Mathematics and Information Technology at St Petersburg University. On 13 June, there was an online lecture ‘How to introduce a book to children to make them want to read it’. It was delivered by Tatiana Galaktionova, Professor of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University. On 15 June, there was an online lecture ‘Nietzscheanism and the Old Testament: Jewish literature’ by Nina Shcherbak, Associate Professor in the Department of English Philology and Cultural Linguistics at St Petersburg University.

Visit of representatives of Liaoning University to St Petersburg University

On 9 June, representatives of St Petersburg University met with a delegation from Liaoning University (the People’s Republic of China). The parties discussed the prospects for cooperation and agreed to form working groups to coordinate further interaction. A relevant agreement was signed during the meeting.

Visit of representatives of the Heilongjiang Institute of Foreign Languages (People’s Republic of China) to St Petersburg University

On 9 June, a delegation from the Heilongjiang Institute of Foreign Languages visited St Petersburg University. The delegation was headed by Professor Liu Ying, Principal of the Heilongjiang Institute of Foreign Languages. This visit renewed the tradition of receiving delegations from the People’s Republic of China by the Russian—Chinese Centre for Comparative Social, Economic and Political Research at St Petersburg University. The guests showed great interest in the organisation of educational and scientific work in the area of study ‘Sociology’ at St Petersburg University. They primarily paid attention to master’s programmes in sociology. During the meeting-seminar, Professor Aleksandr Petrov, Academic Supervisor of the master’s programmes, spoke about the University and the specifics of the organisation of educational and scientific work in the programme ‘Sociology’, which is one of the oldest master’s programmes in Russia. Members of the delegation paid special attention to the master’s programme ‘Sociology in Russia and China’, since this programme is very popular with applicants from the People’s Republic of China (Visit of the delegation of the Heilongjiang Institute of Foreign Languages to St Petersburg University).

Visit of representatives of Tsinghua University to St Petersburg University

On 15 June, representatives of St Petersburg University met with a delegation from Tsinghua University (the People’s Republic of China). The parties discussed the dynamics of interaction; the feasibility of extending the protocol on student exchange, signing the protocol on academic and scientific exchange; and issues related to the implementation of the work plan of the Russian Research Institute of St Petersburg University and Tsinghua University for 2023.

Visit of representatives of the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation

On 15 June, a meeting was held with the researchers of the Ocean Policy Research Institute of the Sasakawa Peace Foundation (Japan). Among the researchers were the following: Sakiko Hataya and Ishikawa Ichiyo. They discussed the issues of cooperation with Japanese universities and presented information about St Petersburg University projects on the Arctic. The guests expressed their interest in cooperation with St Petersburg University, including in terms of training personnel to solve problems related to the Arctic.

Networking agreement to implement academic programmes between St Petersburg University and Tashkent Pharmaceutical Institute

A networking agreement to implement academic programmes has been signed between St Petersburg University and Tashkent Pharmaceutical Institute of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The text of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Networking agreement to implement academic programmes between St Petersburg University and Qingdao University

A networking agreement to implement academic programmes has been signed between St Petersburg University and Qingdao University (the People’s Republic of China). The text of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and the Institute of Technical Acoustics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus

A cooperation agreement has been signed between St Petersburg University and the Institute of Technical Acoustics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (the Republic of Belarus). The text of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Protocol of academic and research exchanges between St Petersburg University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University

A protocol of academic and research exchanges has been signed between St Petersburg University and Hamad Bin Khalifa University (the State of Qatar). The text of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and Chirchik State Pedagogical University

A cooperation agreement has been signed between St Petersburg University and Chirchik State Pedagogical University (the Republic of Uzbekistan). The text of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Organisation of the teaching and learning process

Over the past week, 21 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to preparation of documents on studies, and the procedures of transfer and reinstatement to the University. An analysis of the information on the organisation of the teaching and learning process provided by the heads of academic and research subdivisions has been carried out. Classes and interim assessment are held according to the timetable in due order.

The heads of academic and research subdivisions continue to hold meetings with student activists: group heads, and representatives of student councils and student scientific societies to name just a few. Over the past week, meetings on the organisation of the teaching and learning process were held at: the Graduate School of Management; the Faculty of Biology; the School of International Relations; the Faculty of Sociology; the Faculty of Physics; the Faculty of Philology; the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology (the minutes of the meeting were not formalised and not submitted for publication); and the Medical College (the minutes of the meeting were not formalised and not submitted for publication).

The State Final Assessment is underway.

Interview with Lyudmila Gromova, Member of the Ethics Committee at St Petersburg University and Professor Emeritus of St Petersburg University, to discuss the situation around the actions of Mikhail Belousov and University students

At the Rector’s meeting on 5 June 2023, the issue relating to the situation around Mikhail Belousov and students at St Petersburg University was reported (Minutes of the Rector’s meeting dated 5 June 2023). In this regard, the participants in the Rector’s meeting on 19 June discussed the interview published on the University’s website by Lyidmila Gromova, Member of the Ethics Committee, Head of the Department of the History of Journalism, Professor Emeritus of St Petersburg University, and Doctor of Philology at St Petersburg University (Professor Lyudmila Gromova, Member of the Ethics Committe: ‘The decision of the Ethics Committee was adopted unanimously’).

A number of materials about the actions of Mikhail Belousov and students at St Petersburg University were previously published on the University’s resources. Among them were the following: Media inquiries about Mikhail Belousov; Decision of the Ethics Committee at St Petersburg University on the issue of Mikhail Belousov’s actions; and Actions of Mikhail Belousov.

Gratitude to the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University

On 8 June, for the work of the volunteer movement of medical workers, the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University received a letter of gratitude from the medical company of the 347^th regiment of the 47^th division of the First Guards Tank Army.

According to Dmitrii Shkarupa, Director of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University, over the course of several months, participants in the movement raised funds for the purchase of UAZ-452; equipment for the military (laptops, monoculars, night vision devices, flashlights, walkie-talkies); necessities (uniforms, shoes, surgical suits); medicines, consumables and medical dressings; and other medical products necessary to provide first aid to wounded soldiers. The total value is more than two million roubles. Despite the acute situation in the Valuyki region and logistical difficulties associated with restrictions on the work of transport companies, the volunteers managed to quickly organise the delivery of large-scale cargo to the front.

The Volunteer Movement named after the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Community of Sisters of Mercy was formed at the clinic in December 2022, after Aleksandr Babiev, an anaesthesiologist and critical care physician, went to the front as a volunteer (Doctors of the University Clinic are ready to help the special military operation participants). Today, the movement has already united more than 250 initiative employees of the clinic, who are not indifferent to military doctors.