Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

St Petersburg University graduate wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry 

Alexei Ekimov, a 1967 graduate of St Petersburg University (Leningrad State University), has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with American scientists Moungi Bawendi and Louis Brus for the discovery and synthesis of quantum dots. Alexey Ekimov is the ninth Nobel laureate in the history of St Petersburg University. 

Alexei Ekimov studied at the Department of Molecular Physics at Leningrad State University. According to Boris Novikov, Honorary Professor of St Petersburg University and Professor in the Department of Solid State Physics, Alexei Ekimov demonstrated outstanding academic performance and a keen interest in optics right from the beginning of his studies. After graduating from the University, Alexei Ekimov worked at Ioffe Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Vavilov State Optical Institute. 

In 1974, Alexei Ekimov defended his dissertation "Optical orientation of carrier spins in semiconductors" and obtained the degree of Candidate of Physics and Mathematics. Two years later, at the age of 31, together with Viacheslav Safarov and Boris Zakharchenia, 1961 graduates of the Department of Solid State Physics, he became a laureate of the State Prize for the cycle of works "Detection and study of new phenomena related to optical orientation of electron and nuclear spins in semiconductors". Since 1999, Alexei Ekimov has been living and working in the USA. 

In the early 1980s, Alexei Ekimov synthesised the first nanometre semiconductor crystals from copper chloride dissolved in a glass matrix (later they became known as quantum dots). Quantum dots are nanoscale ‘artificial atoms’. By controlling the size of such dots, for example, by heating them, it is possible to change their energy structure, i.e. to control their properties. This effect is now used in microelectronics, for example, in smartphones. Alexei Ekimov’s colleague Louis Brus later found another way to produce such quantum dots (in a colloidal solution), and Moungi Bawendi invented a technology for producing almost perfect nanocrystals. 

‘Quantum dots and quantum technology have grown into a whole huge branch of the real sector and a large scientific field, at the origins of which Alexei Ekimov stood. This field is still actively developing at the University (St Petersburg University graduate wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry). 

Participation of representatives of St Petersburg University in the competitive selection of the All-Russian Award for Fidelity to Science 

The shortlist of the All-Russian Award for Fidelity to Science includes three works by representatives of St Petersburg University: Irina Timofeeva, Professor in the Department of Analytical Chemistry — in the nomination "Science is fashionable"; the press service of St Petersburg University — in the nomination "Scientific Press Service of the Year"; multimedia exhibition-archive "Unknown Mendeleev. The Life of a Naval Officer" — in the nomination "The best popular science student project". 

The All-Russian Award for Fidelity to Science is awarded annually for outstanding achievements in the field of science communication, popularisation of science and support for the image of researchers and engineers in the Russian Federation. Among the objectives of the award are: popularising science and achievements of Russian scholars; providing information support for scholars; ensuring their wide presence in the media field; promoting communication between the journalistic and scientific communities; and creating a positive image of Russian science. There are 14 nominations for this award. 

The exhibition project "Unknown Mendeleev. The life of a naval officer" is dedicated to the life of Dmitri Mendeleev’s eldest son Vladimir Mendeleev (1865— 1898). This exhibition features Vladimir Mendeleev’s letters to his father, written during his service on the cruiser "Memory of Azov". Letters from the album kept in the Dmitri Mendeleev Museum and Archives and photographs from the albums "Voyages to the East" kept in the collections of the Central Naval Museum are true stories told in the first person (Professor of St Petersburg University, the University’s press service and a multimedia exhibition on Dmitri Mendeleev shortlisted for the Fidelity to Science Award). At the Rector’s meeting it was noted: it is important that this project is a student project, and such a project was included in the shortlist of the award for the first time. 

Laureates of the St Petersburg Government Prize in the field of research and education 

The Committee on Science and Higher School of St Petersburg summed up the results of the 2023 contest for awards from the Government of St Petersburg in the field of research and edication. The contest evaluated the presented educational and methodological materials (textbooks, teaching aids, syllabi of the academic disciplines, lecture notes, and methodological instructions) in three categories of participants. Among them are the following: persons without an academic degree; persons with a degree of candidate of sciences; persons with a degree of doctor of sciences. 

According to Vladimir Eremeev, Vice-Rector for Human Resources at St Petersburg University, a total of 70 participants were recognised as winners. Among them are eight employees of St Petersburg University. It is the highest number of winners among the St Petersburg’s universities. Among the winners from St Petersburg University are the following: 

1. Andrei Bulatov, Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, for lecture notes on the discipline "Analytical Chemistry-I, Chemical Methods of Analysis" 
2. Elena Kilinkarova, Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, for the syllabus of the academic discipline "International Tax Law (in English)" 
3. Olga Kurapova, Associate Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, for the course of lectures "Structure and Physical and Chemical Properties of Polycrystalline Solids" 
4. Mariia Peshkova, Associate Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, for lecture notes and practical classes "Functional Sensory Materials" 
5. Aleksei Pochivalov, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, for the textbook "Fundamentals of Hybrid Methods of Analysis" 
6. Sergei Savinov, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, for the educational and methodological aid "Atomic Spectral Analysis" 
7. Iuliia Taranova, Associate Professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communication for the syllabus of the academic discipline "Design in Territorial Branding" 
8. Andrei Shishov, Professor at the Institute of Chemistry for the educational and methodological aid "Methods of Separation and Concentration"

Participation in such contests is extremely important for strengthening the prestige of St Petersburg University (Eight lecturers at St Petersburg University are laureates of awards from the Government of St Petersburg). The winners received prizes from St Petersburg University. 

The participants in the Rector’s meeting congratulated the laureates and especially recognised the high activity of the academic staff at the Institute of Chemistry at St Petersburg University. Out of the eight winners, six were lecturers from the Institute of Chemistry at St Petersburg University. 

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

St Petersburg University took part in the St Petersburg International Health Forum. St Petersburg University doctors presented their developments to the professional community and helped citizens undergo diagnostics in order to learn more about their health and how to maintain it. 

At the University’s stand, forum participants and guests saw the devices used by specialists from the St Petersburg University Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies. Among them are VR glasses to project a computed tomography image onto the patient in real time. Augmented mixed reality technology visualises the boundaries of the tumour in order to perform resection more accurately, explained Aleksandr Petrov, a urologist at the Urology Department at the St Petersburg University Clinic. It is also used in the surgical treatment of urolithiasis to shorten the path of the puncture needle to reduce complications and increase the effectiveness of surgical intervention. 

One of the areas of the Clinic’s work is working with neurourological patients who have dysfunction of the lower urinary tract due to spinal injuries, strokes, and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, for the treatment of detrusor overactivity of the bladder in urological patients, it is proposed to use a tibial neurostimulator. A prototype of the device, which was developed and tested with the participation of doctors from St Petersburg University, was presented at the stand of St Petersburg University (Surgeons at the St Petersburg University Clinic preserve a patient’s kidney using mixed reality). 

Specialists at St Petersburg University presented an ultrasound sensor to conduct research without the use of bulky instruments. You only need a tablet connected to the Wi-Fi network. They also presented a simulator to enable young specialists in the field of urolithiasis treatment to learn the skills necessary for their work. At the stand of St Petersburg University, hundreds of forum visitors underwent a free ultrasound examination of the thyroid gland and olfactory testing to understand how much their sense of smell has changed after coronavirus infection. Guests independently answered the questions of the questionnaire, assessing their condition according to the diagnostic scale of long-Covid syndrome. They also signed up for a consultation at the Centre for the Study of Autoimmune Diseases and the Effects of the New Coronavirus Disease at the St Petersburg University Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies (St Petersburg University to introduce developments in the field medicine at the International Health Forum). 

During the round table ‘Doctor and patient’, experts included medical scientists, lawyers at St Petersburg University and doctors at the St Petersburg University Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies. They discussed why the paternalistic approach in medicine was no longer working, whether the approach "patient is always right" was reasonable and what standardisation of care could lead to. 

In Russia, the paternalistic model of communication between doctor and patient is still on the rise, scientists said. The doctor acts as a teacher, i.e. a parent for the patient, while the patient takes on the role of a student and therefore a child. Patients cannot make informed decisions and take responsibility for their actions. Today, we should no longer favour this approach, experts are confident. What can contribute to the solution of the problem is a so-called collegial model. In other words, doctor and patient are supposed to work in tandem, they are partners. The doctor informs about the treatment process, and the patient has the right to choose, evaluate, and consult (St Petersburg University scientists at the Health Forum: what standardisation of medicine could lead to). 

As part of the Health Forum, there was an opening ceremony of the exhibition "Soldiers of Mercy of the Great Patriotic War". It was organised by St Petersburg University and the Union of Deltiologists of Russia. The exhibition is dedicated to doctors, nurses and orderlies of medical battalions and front-line hospitals, who pulled the wounded from the battlefield, rescued soldiers and returned them to duty. Piotr Yablonsky, Vice-Rector for Medical Activities at St Petersburg University and Honoured Doctor of the Russian Federation, thanked the partners for addressing such a significant topic and expressed confidence that in the course of cooperation the exhibition would continue to grow. As part of the St Petersburg International Health Forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between St Petersburg University and the Union of Deltiologists of Russia (St Petersburg University to introduce developments in the field of medicine at the International Health Forum). 

The 12th St Petersburg International Health Forum in 2024 will be held in honour of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. 

The 6th International Forum "Russia and Ibero-America in a Globalizing World: History and Modernity" 

The 6th International Forum ’Russia and Ibero-America in a Globalizing World: History and Modernity’ has been held at St Petersburg University. During the forum, scholars analysed the issues of the evolution of Latin American political systems and the phenomenon of new left and right forces. They also tried to formulate new approaches to research on Iberoamerican issues. Among the 800 participants were representatives from ten countries in the region, including Chile, Mexico, Cuba, Brazil, and Argentina. Additionally, the event also saw the participation of representatives from various Asian and European countries. 

In his opening remarks during the plenary session, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Sergei Ryabkov, emphasised the growing importance of the Latin American region. He highlighted significant recent events, including the parliamentary conference "Russia — Latin America" in Moscow and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s nine meetings with representatives from Latin America and the Caribbean on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. Sergey Lavrov actively engaged with the Ibero-America Forum, which serves as a seamless extension of the Latin American marathon and conveyed his message to the conference participants. 

Opening the plenary session, Lazar Jeifets, Professor of St Petersburg University, emphasised the forum’s stature as the most extensive gathering in Russian Ibero-American studies and a pivotal global scientific event within this field. 

He underlined the historical significance of the day, as the event coincided with the 20th anniversary of the inception of Ibero-American forums. Notably, among the distinguished guests were participants of the very first forum held in 2003, which was titled "St Petersburg: a Window to Latin America". 

The plenary session featured the presentation of diplomas to the victors of the Ibero-America young researchers contest, a traditional component of the forum. Furthermore, the recipients of the 2022 "Latin America" journal’s Mikoyan Best Publications’ contest received their well-deserved awards. 

The School of International Relations has six former students, winners of previous years’ competitions, working as lecturers today. 

The Forum continued with major conferences. The experts discussed Russian and Latin American approaches to the formation of a multipolar world, interregional cooperation, and international security problems. They also assessed the current state of humanitarian, educational, scientific, and technical cooperation, as well as prospects for Russian-Latin American cooperation in other regions of the world. 

Traditionally, the forum hosted events for young researchers of Latin America: panels of young scholars, the School of Young Experts in Latin Americana, as well as about 70 round tables and meetings of thematic panels on the history, culture, economy, and policies of the Iberoamerican countries, problem round tables, presentations of scholarly publications, exhibitions, and public lectures by leading scholars, politicians, and diplomats, and workshops (Experts from over 20 countries discuss new challenges and ways to develop Russian-Latin American relations). 

International activities 

According to Vice-Rector for International Affairs Sergey Andryushin, a number of new events have recently taken place. 

Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain 

On 3 October, the Representative Office of St Petersburg University in Spain hosted the online lecture "The Moral Law in me: the biological foundations of Moral Behaviour". The lecture was delivered by Daria Podvigina, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University. On 5 October, Leonid Iliushin, Professor of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University, presented the online lecture "Educational motivation: paradoxes and development opportunities". 

Memorandum of understanding between St Petersburg University and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan 

St Petersburg University and the Ministry of Preschool and School Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan have signed a memorandum of understanding in the field of experience exchange and improvement of qualifications of teachers of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and the Russian language. 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 Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh (the Republic of Uzbekistan) 

A cooperation agreement has been signed between St Petersburg University and Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh (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. Cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and Jizzakh State Pedagogical University (the Republic of Uzbekistan) A cooperation agreement has been signed between St Petersburg University and Jizzakh 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. 

Agreement on testing in Russian as a foreign language between St Petersburg University and the association "Ostrovok" — Language Centre for Children and Adults (Switzerland)

 St Petersburg University and the association "Ostrovok" — Language Centre for Children and Adults (Switzerland) have signed an agreement to conduct testing in Russian as a foreign language. 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, 34 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to preparation of various documents. 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 are held in due order. As of 6 October 2023, the relevant information was not sent by the heads of the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication, the Graduate School of Management, the Faculty of Economics, and the Faculty of Law. 

Over the past week, meetings were held with student activists: group heads, and representatives of student councils and student scientific societies to name just a few. They discussed issues with organising the teaching and learning process. The meetings were held at: the Institute of History; the Institute of Philosophy; the Faculty of Biology; the Faculty of Foreign Languages; the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty; 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; and the Medical College. 

Assistance provided by St Petersburg University during the special military operation by the Russian Federation 

St Petersburg University supports the participants of the special military operation, children of the participants of the special military operation, and employees and students who find themselves in difficult situations. The University is also ready to help all Russians who are faced with Russophobic manifestations. More details can be found in the special section of the University website. 

All Russian citizens, citizens of Ukraine and other countries, and Russian students who were expelled from foreign universities or began to experience any difficulties in continuing their studies in other countries due to Russophobia sentiment and manifestations can address the University to receive support. The University provides special support to those whose right to study at school or university in Russian language is restricted. An online school has been opened at St Petersburg University, which will allow schoolchildren to study at the University and receive a standard certificate. Distance classes in basic educational programmes are provided free of charge. 

Admission for participants in the special military operation and their children is within the framework of quotas established by Federal Law № 273-FZ "On education in the Russian Federation". In 2023, 248 places were allocated under a separate quota for admission to bachelor and specialist programmes. 

68 people were enrolled in the places under the separate quota in 2023, including: 

• children of persons who took part in a special military operation — 65 people 
• children of military personnel sent to other states — 1 person 
• participants in the special military operation — 2 people 

Two employees of the Military Training Centre at St Petersburg University took part in performing special combat missions in the zone of the special military operation. The employees of the Military Training Centre at St Petersburg University took part in the preparation of the units to participate in the special military operation. There are three students studying at St Petersburg University who are participants in the special military operation, and 103 students whose relatives took part or are taking part in the special military operation. 

On 1 April 2023, while performing military duty, St Petersburg University student Fedor Solomonov died. He was a second-year student in history and was drafted into the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation as part of the partial mobilisation in the autumn of 2022. The student left for military service voluntarily, taking an academic leave and not taking advantage of the right to a deferment. On the ground floor of the building of the Institute of History at St Petersburg University (5 Mendeleevskaya Line), a corner in memory of the hero has been organised, where the University students can lay flowers. Subsequently, a memorial plaque will be installed. Information can be found on the website: In memory of Fedor Solomonov, who died heroically in the special military operation. Aleksandr Babiev, a doctor-anaesthesiologist-resuscitator at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation at the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University, took part in the special military operation as a volunteer (Doctors of the University Clinic are ready to help participants in the special military operation). 

The University took part in the development of draft educational and methodological documentation for a non-degree programme to prepare teachers on the basics of security and defence of the Motherland in the interests of participants of the special military operation. It was part of participation in the project "Your hero". 

Students of the Military Training Centre at St Petersburg University made trench candles and transferred them to the zone of the special military operation. 

Since 4 March 2022, St Petersburg University has had a humanitarian aid reception point as part of the project # МЫВМЕСТЕ. The point is organised by the Volunteer Centre at St Petersburg University at the following addresses: Rooms 2–6, second floor, 13b Universitetskaya Embankment, St Petersburg; and Room 4329, 28 Universitetsky Prospekt, Peterhof. 

The priority areas of work of the headquarters # МЫВМЕСТЕ are to help military personnel, mobilised citizens, their families, and citizens experiencing anxiety. 

In December 2022, the Volunteer Movement named after the Exaltation of the Cross Community of Sisters of Mercy was formed at the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University. The movement unites everyone who want to help. The movement has more than 200 people. Among them are the following: heads of the institution; heads of departments and offices; doctors and senior nurses; nurses of operating rooms and nurses of treatment rooms; administrators and all proactive staff at the Clinic. The organising committee has been opened, and centralised fundraising is being developed. The Clinic took on the role to provide support to the medical company of the military unit № 11049. A UAZ-452 vehicle was purchased with funds raised by the Clinic. Transport with cargo (heaters, diesel generators, medicines and consumables) went along with the humanitarian convoy from the town of Cherepovets to the medical company of the military unit No 11049. Nurses from the St Petersburg University Clinic provide assistance at the hospitals where victims of the special military operation are admitted. 

The University donated items of material and technical equipment to support the participants of the special military operation in the period from 2022 to the present. Among the items are the following: a UAZ-452 vehicle; medical supplies (more than 80 items, from 50 to 1,000 pieces of each item); clothing and footwear for the military; household appliances (more than 20 pieces); a total of 142 items. 

St Petersburg University was the first Russian university to enter into a cooperation agreement with Mariupol State University and sent more than 800 copies of educational literature to replenish the library stock of Mariupol University. For the Mariupol College of the Priakhov State Technical University, textbooks for the programmes of non-university level higher education in an amount of more than 50 copies were selected from the list and sent. 

In order to develop partnerships with the Donetsk Republican Art Museum, the Donetsk Republican Museum of Local Lore, the Museum of History and Culture of Lugansk, the Lugansk Museum of Local Lore, and Donetsk State University, a cooperation roadmap has been signed and is being implemented. The museums are provided with methodological assistance, and joint exhibitions are organised. 

Provision of legal assistance by the University to Russian citizens and compatriots in response to instances of Russophobia 

After the start of the special military operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine, the list of enquiries to the Legal Clinic at St Petersburg University has expanded significantly. Firstly, Russian students encountered Russophobic restrictions when undergoing practical training and internships abroad. The enquiries were regularly submitted by students to the Virtual Reception and the Legal Clinic. All enquiries were provided with legal assistance. Secondly, work is regularly carried out with the enquiries from students of foreign institutions about their expulsion from universities because of Russian citizenship. Based on such enquiries, all students of foreign universities were given the right to transfer to St Petersburg University. 

Thirdly, the Legal Clinic provides assistance not only to students. For example, in the practice of the Legal Clinic there was a striking example. Russians (a married couple) were denied a refund for purchased air tickets because they had Russian citizenship. The Russians cancelled their flight in advance and sent a request for a refund. In response, the air carrier notified them that money for tickets would not be transferred, since company policy prohibits transferring funds to persons with Russian citizenship. The family also said that the airline was going to send these funds to support Ukraine. The Legal Clinic provided assistance in filing a claim against the air carrier. As a result, it was possible to protect the interests of the Russians. 

Fourthly, during 2022 and 2023, legal advice was provided to compatriots from Donbass and Zaporozhye on issues related to obtaining Russian citizenship, obtaining Russian documents for movable and immovable property, paying social benefits, moving to St Petersburg, and on other issues. 

In this regard, the experience of legal education available at the Legal Clinic is also interesting. Students working in the Legal Clinic annually conduct educational events for schoolchildren and students of other educational organisations on topics that include issues of combating discrimination based on nationality, citizenship, and issues relating to the types of legal liability for offenses of this nature. Students and staff at the Legal Clinic developed educational materials (memos) about the system of free legal assistance. They also created a workshop "Legal assistance is nearby: five steps to obtain competent legal advice". 

Thus, students and staff at the Legal Clinic at St Petersburg University provide free legal assistance to citizens of the Russian Federation on facts of Russophobia. The Legal Clinic also systematically inform citizens of the Russian Federation and compatriots who need legal assistance on issues of Russophobia and discrimination that they encountered abroad about organisations who can provide them with assistance, the procedure for contacting these organisations, and the types of free legal assistance. 

Telegram channel of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies 

The University has opened a Telegram channel for the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University. It is gradually gaining subscribers, accumulating content and will continue to develop. The channel will be integrated into the University’s Telegram channel ecosystem.