2024 Year of St Petersburg University

St Petersburg is a cradle of Russia’s science and higher education, and in 2024 St Petersburg University, the oldest university in Russia, will mark its 300th anniversary, said Alexander Beglov.

In 2024, St Petersburg University celebrates its 300th anniversary

‘It is a foundation of Russia’s university education. We are proud of the history of our famous university and its breakthrough achievements. This is where high-calibre specialists are prepared for the whole country. Its most famous graduate is our President Vladimir Putin. The anniversary of St Petersburg University is a national event. We have decided to declare 2024 as the Year of St Petersburg University in St Petersburg,’ said Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg and a member of the board of trustees of St Petersburg University. 

The day of the foundation of St Petersburg University will see torches lit on the Rostral Columns, said Alexander Beglov. To celebrate the anniversary of the oldest university in Russia, city public transport will be specially decorated, tourist maps will be updated with the St Petersburg University facilities, and the Palace Bridge will be decorated with St Petersburg University flags. There will be a separate platform for the University to take part in the City Day events. The theme of its 300th anniversary will be reflected in the Scarlet Sails Festival.

The stand of St Petersburg University introduces academic programmes, helps to choose a field of study, and focuses on research results and their practical application.

Today, every fourth St Petersburg resident associates themselves with the University, said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Some people graduated from the University, others dreamed of studying here or want their children to enter the University. St Petersburg University is a point of attraction for applicants from all over the world. Over the past few years, St Petersburg University has been the most popular university among international applicants and students. The competition for applicants on a fee-paying basis is three applications per place, while on a government-funded basis it is 21 applications per place.

Today, the University has two major advantages. The first advantage is a strong and close association with St Petersburg. St Petersburg University and the city are inseparable. The University is part of the educational and scientific community of the Northern Capital of Russia. Even the city’s anthem, which opened today’s ceremony, was written by the University student. The second advantage, which is overwhelming, is the fact that Vladimir Putin successfully graduated from the University.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University

‘We are well aware that many school graduates in Russia and abroad are striving to study at St Petersburg University, because the President of Russia studied and worked here. I am confident that the University will continue to be a shoulder for the city and the entire country in solving many global issues,’ said the Rector. 

More than 30 events are planned to mark the anniversary of the oldest university in Russia, some of them have already been implemented. In front of the Twelve Collegia building, the University unveiled a monument to the Minister of Education of the Russian Empire Sergey Uvarov, who revived the University in 1819. To celebrate the anniversary, the University introduced a design of a new postage stamp, bank cards, and aircraft livery for the Rossiya Airlines. The name of St Petersburg University was given to a small planet and an unnamed mountain peak of 1,724 metres on the Khamar Daban Ridge (the Republic of Buryatia). The plan of the events was approved at the meeting of the organising committee for the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, which was chaired by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and a member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University.