St Petersburg University brings together over 500 scholars at a conference of Russian Mathematical Centres

The conference began with a welcome address provided by Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. In his address, Minister Valery Falkov noted that Russia has always been renowned for its school of mathematics, which gave the world outstanding scientists, many of whom worked at St Petersburg University.

In partnership with St Petersburg University, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation has been implementing a number of major scientific projects. One of these projects involves the establishment of the world-class mathematical centre named after Leonhard Euler. This year, the Euler Mathematical Centre was the main organiser of the conference. I am confident that the conference bringing together leading Russian mathematicians, will be an important step in strengthening ties between scientists, further development of the Russian school of mathematics, and addressing urgent issues of education and training of scientific personnel.

Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation

Minister Valery Falkov stressed that the network of mathematical centres created within the framework of the national project "Science and Universities" covers all federal districts of Russia. In 2023, it was expanded with a new centre — the Azov-Black Sea Mathematics Centre, established on the basis of academic and research organisations located on the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Republic of Crimea. 

Andrey Maksimov, Chairman of the St Petersburg Committee on Science and Higher Education noted that Governor of St Petersburg Alexander Beglov pays great attention to the development of the academic and research sphere. By his decision, since 2024, subsidies, grants, prizes and scholarships for early-career researchers and recognised scholars, funded by the city government, have been doubled on average. Bonus payments for outstanding results in science and technology and for outstanding achievements in higher education and secondary vocational education have gone up to 500,000 roubles. The city of St Petersburg runs the state programme "Economy of Knowledge". We hold more than 35 competitions for: high school leavers; undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students; early-career researchers; candidates of science; and honoured scholars. Over 19% of the economically active population of St Petersburg is involved in the academic and research activities.

The Young Mathematicians Award is established by the Talent and Success Educational Foundation, with the Sirius International Mathematics Centre acting as the jury coordinator.

"It is gratifying that the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University and the 300th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences are marked by such an important event. I am certain that this Conference has gathered the best mathematical minds in Russia and it will inspire a new breakthrough in the development of scientific knowledge," said Andrey Maksimov. 

Over 500 scientists from St Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Kaliningrad, Donetsk, Simferopol, Kazan and 16 other cities, united by the network of innovative centres of science and mathematics education, met at St Petersburg University. The conference participants include employees from 16 world-class international and regional mathematical centres in the Russian Federation. Among the keynote speakers were representatives of the Euler International Mathematical Institute in St Petersburg.

The world-class mathematical centre "The Euler International Mathematical Institute" was established in St Petersburg in 2019 as a consortium of St Petersburg University and the St Petersburg branch of the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. The Euler International Mathematical Institute focuses on fundamental and applied research in mathematics and finding solutions to practical problems from different areas of industry, for which there are no standard approaches.

According to Anastasia Yarmosh, Senior Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Partnership at St Petersburg University, the established network of mathematical centres enables the introduction of innovative solutions in science and education. The main focus of the centres’ activities is to promote the development of promising research in the most relevant areas of mathematics and to produce cutting-edge scientific discoveries with important implications for modern science. 

"For St Petersburg University, an institution of higher education with a 300-year history, continuous improvement of the system of education and training of highly-qualified personnel is of paramount importance. The establishment of a world-class mathematical centre at St Petersburg University is, indeed, a great honour. The University’s potential allows for conducting advanced research in fundamental and applied mathematics and contribute to the development of Russian science, technology and economy," underlined Anastasia Yarmosh, Senior Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Partnership at St Petersburg University.

The 4th Conference of Russian Mathematical Centres was held at St Petersburg University from 6 to 11 August. The Conference programme featured panel sessions and roundtable discussions on key areas of mathematics, including: Complex Analysis; Mathematical Physics and Spectral Theory; Real and Functional Analysis; Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems; Geometry and Topology; Algebra; Mathematical Logic and Theoretical Computer Science; Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics; Probability Theory; Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Modelling; and others. 

In specialised panel sessions, scientists discussed the progress of the projects aimed to implement innovative research, practical developments, quantum computing, and machine learning methods in economics and other areas of science and technology. The special focus was on initiatives that promote the popularisation of mathematics and attract young people to science. 

The conference also summarised the results of the Programme for the development of mathematical centres in the Russian Federation over the period 2020-2024.

The opening ceremony of the conference was also attended by: Sergei Kislyakov, the initiator of the Euler International Mathematical Centre in St Petersburg, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Academician Dmitri Orlov, Deputy Academician Secretary of the Department of Mathematical Sciences of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Vitaly Sergeev, Chief Scientific Secretary of the St Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Nikolai Lukoyanov, Coordinator of the Network of Regional Scientific and Educational Mathematical Centres, Director of the Krasovskii Institute of Mathematics and Mechanics of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Maxim Vsemirnov, Director of the St Petersburg Branch of the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; and Professor Victor Petrov, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at St Petersburg University. 

At the event, the winners of the Young Mathematicians Award were announced. The award, established by the Talent and Success Educational Foundation, recognises significant achievements in mathematical research. A total of 44 applications were received. The expert jury determined the winners in three categories: students of Russian universities; doctoral students; and early-career researchers up to 35 years of age. Among the laureates is Nikolai Borozenets, a graduate of St Petersburg University.