Pedagogy of success: the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University celebrates its fifth anniversary
A few years ago, at the initiative of Professor Elena Kazakova, Doctor of Pedagogy, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Education, a new faculty was opened at St Petersburg University — the Institute of Pedagogy. These days, the Institute celebrates its fifth anniversary, receiving congratulations from colleagues and friends. Among the well-wishers are: Autonomous Non-Profit Educational Organisation "School League" (Rosnano); Centre for Regional and International Cooperation; the Leningrad Region Centre for Creative Development of Gifted and Talented Children and Young People "Intellect"; and other organisations, students and alumni.
The creation of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University was made possible by many years of tireless efforts and expert work of the University’s academic staff in evaluating educational standards and developing new teaching methods designed to discover and provide guidance to gifted and talented children. No less important was the University’s support for this initiative.
‘I am happy that I have the opportunity to express my gratitude to St Petersburg University. Thank you that back then you believed in us and opened academic programmes in pedagogy, and eventually agreed that the future belongs to pedagogy,’ said Elena Kazakova in her opening address to the scientific session dedicated to the Institute’s five-year anniversary.
Throughout the years, the Institute’s academics have been developing and expanding their expertise in pre-school education, contributing to the creation of a learning environment that is unified, yet welcoming diversity and individuality and promoting respect for all talents.
These are not just general statements. Today, the academic staff of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University train professionals in three master’s programmes and one doctoral programme, and supervise the projects of the Sirius Educational Centre and the School League.
Degree programmes in Pedagogy implemented at St Petersburg University
- The master’s programme "Genius: Teacher for Gifted Students" is designed to train professionals capable of teaching and providing psychological guidance to gifted and talented children. It takes into account all the latest advancements in the field of intellectual development, lateral thinking and the ability to influence others
- The master’s programme "Educator High Technology School" is aimed at training a new generation of teachers capable of developing and implementing academic programmes using high-tech equipment, as well as working in real-life and virtual environments
- The master’s programme "Intercultural Education" is designed to develop competences in the field of modern pedagogy, development and support of independent educational projects, including those relevant to solving modern intercultural problems
- The doctoral programme "Pedagogical Psychology, Psychodiagnostics of Digital Educational Environment" trains academic and research psychologists in the field of educational psychology
It is generally accepted that the success of an educational institution is mainly determined by the success of its graduates. From this perspective, the joint work of the team of the Institute of Pedagogy has been a success. Among the graduates in the academic programmes listed above are: Candidate of Science degree holders, heads of educational organisations; and leaders of major projects.
We have always tried to understand how to promote the well-being of an individual in the context of ensuring our shared worldview and the triumph of our core values. We have spared no effort to make our success a guarantee of our friendship, our work, our dedication, integrity, care, compassion, and mutual understanding. We have always been pursuing the same subject — the pedagogy of success.
Professor Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University
The Institute’s activities are becoming more multi-faceted and multi-directional. On the one hand, we continue working on educational standards and school curricula; on the other hand, the Institute implements and improves its own academic programmes, including those aimed at teachers’ professional development. We are actively engaged in research and expert work. And finally, we are doing our best to create a conducive learning environment for our master’s and doctoral students to help them improve their professional competences in real-life projects under the guidance of the Institute’s academics. It is for this purpose that the Clinic for Digital Support of Educational Projects, or the Pedagogical Clinic, was opened at St Petersburg University in March 2023.
These are the results of the Institute’s first ‘five-year plan’, which is a milestone for us. It is significant that this anniversary coincides with the Year of the Teacher and Mentor held in Russia this year.