Dmitry Chernyshenko: 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University is a bright event for Russia

‘Today, St Petersburg University is a world-class centre for research and education. It is a visiting card of the Northern capital of Russia. Being the oldest university in Russia, St Petersburg University preserves the best traditions of Russian higher education and takes a leading position in many areas, including the digital area. More than 23,000 students study at the University, and every fifth student is an international student. Many of them are already engaged in research and develop high-tech projects. I am sure that the potential of St Petersburg University will continue to grow, and its 300th anniversary will be a bright event for Russia,’ said Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Chairperson of the Organising Committee, and a member of the St Petersburg University Board of Trustees.

Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and a member of the St Petersburg University Board of Trustees, talked about the importance of preparing events to celebrate the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University: ‘The University is one of the largest research and educational centres not only in the country, but throughout the world. Every year, the University graduates thousands of highly demanded specialists. The University staff carefully preserves and enhances the wonderful traditions of the University’s richest history, and we, in turn, will make the necessary efforts to honour and popularise the achievements of St Petersburg University accordingly’.

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; Vladimir Knyaginin, Vice-Governor of St Petersburg; and Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

‘The celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University is an event of national importance. It is celebrated by Decree of the President of Russia. The celebration will include seven major regional events for all Russian citizens. I assure you that all the events will be held in the prescribed manner and in full. I am sure that during the meeting of the organising committee, we will make key decisions on finalising the plan for celebrating the 300th anniversary, which will become a milestone in the history of higher education and science in Russia,’ said 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.

A minor planet has been named after St Petersburg University. Projects are underway to create a design for an aircraft of the Rossiya Airline. The design was chosen by the University staff and students using the CryptoVeche electronic voting system developed at St Petersburg University.

St Petersburg University, the oldest university in Russia, was founded on 28 January (8 February) 1724. This is the day when Peter the Great issued a decree establishing the University and the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 2024, the University will celebrate its 300th anniversary.

Today, St Petersburg University is an internationally recognised centre for education, research and culture. The University has the right to establish its own educational standards, issue diplomas of its own type and defend dissertations for academic degrees according to its own rules. St Petersburg University offers more than 500 degree programmes at all levels of education and more than 750 non-degree programmes. The University scholars and researchers conduct research in almost all areas of knowledge.

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, spoke about the work to perpetuate the memory of outstanding students, graduates and staff of the University. Now, the work is underway to paint the portraits for the gallery of rectors and create memorial signs with images of the Nobel laureates of the University.

‘We are proud of the rich heritage of the oldest university in Russia. As part of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, we pay great attention to outstanding University staff, graduates and students who have significantly contributed to the history of our country. The University will open a new page in its three-century history, preserving best academic traditions and becoming a state-of-the-art and innovative centre for research. Our work is actually just beginning, because there are many centuries of development of the oldest and strongest university in the country ahead,’ said Nikolay Kropachev.

He also proposed to the organising committee to establish a state award, i.e. a commemorative medal "300th anniversary of St Petersburg University".

Following the meeting, Dmitry Chernyshenko approved changes in the plan of the main events for the preparation and holding of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University.