St Petersburg University scholars receive state honours from the President of Russia

At the ceremony, Governor Alexander Beglov underlined that industry and science had always been of utmost importance to the development of St Petersburg. He highlighted that this was not the first time in recent months that the city’s residents had been recognised with state honours and awards. "This is a testament to the wealth of talent and dedication in our city," Alexander Beglov addressed the laureates. "The honours and commendations you and your teams receive are truly earned. They demonstrate that St Petersburg is home to exceptional professionals across all sectors and fields of knowledge. It is thanks to you that our city thrives and contributes to the nation’s development."

The city’s leader emphasised that industrial advancement, particularly in high technologies, cannot occur without groundbreaking scientific research. Thus, the primary objective is to accelerate the journey from scientific discovery to market-ready product.

"Among the city’s most ambitious initiatives is the establishment of two tech valleys, one in the south and another in the north, anchored by our leading universities, including St Petersburg University," said Alexander Beglov. "These innovative hubs will bring together thousands of students and experts. To support these tech valleys, the city will develop comprehensive infrastructure, including transportation. These megaprojects will solidify St Petersburg’s position as a centre of innovation and advanced technologies."

The Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre of St Petersburg University will be established adjacent to the Area of St Petersburg University Development, in the immediate vicinity of the University’s new campus in the Pushkinsky District of St Petersburg. The Neva Delta Centre will host cutting-edge research and production facilities focused on: ecology and energy; agro-technology and digital modelling; biotechnologies, pharmaceuticals, and genetics; advanced oil and gas technologies; and specialised equipment and new materials, including those for Arctic applications.

In the year marking the 300^th anniversary of St Petersburg University, the University employees have been honoured to receive a letter of commendation from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for their merits in research, education, and the training of highly qualified specialists. Rector of St Petersburg University Nikolay Kropachev has been awarded a Certificate of Honour from the President of the Russian Federation.

"This 300^th anniversary is truly a milestone year for St Petersburg University," noted Rector Nikolay Kropachev. "Here in St Petersburg, it was officially declared the Year of St Petersburg University. The University’s birthday was added to the city’s holiday calendar, and Governor Alexander Beglov presented us with the 'Peter the Great' fountain, featuring a sculpture of a student. We have been fortunate to receive many wonderful gifts, but the most special recognition for the entire University staff was the letter of commendation from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, our most distinguished alumnus. I extend my heartfelt thanks to both Vladimir Putin and Alexander Beglov for their unwavering support of the University’s development."

The Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," 1^st class, was bestowed upon Honorary Professors of St Petersburg University: Gennady Bogomazov; Robert Evarestov; Vladimir Chizhik; and Professor Ivan Uralov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts at St Petersburg University.

Gennady Bogomazov, Professor in the Department of Economic Theory and the History of Economic Thought and Chairman of the Collegium of Honorary Professors of St Petersburg University, has been recognised with several state honours. He received the title of Honoured Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation, a Certificate of Honour from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," 2^nd class. Professor Bogomazov’s research interests include the history of Russian economy and economic thought, methodological issues and methods of teaching economic disciplines.

Professor Robert Evarestov, Honoured Worker of Science of the Russian Federation, Head of the Department of Quantum Chemistry, and Honorary Professor of St Petersburg University, conducts research in the field of quantum chemistry of the solid state. Since 2023, he has been ranked among the top 2% of the world’s most cited scientists by Elsevier. During his career, Professor Evarestov has earned numerous accolades, including the title "Honourable Worker of Higher Professional Education" in 2007, the University prize for best scientific works in 1982 and 2005, and the Medal of the Order "For Services to the Fatherland," 2^nd class, in 2010.

Professor Vladimir Chizhik, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics and a graduate of the Faculty of Physics at St Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) University, is a renowned expert in nuclear magnetic resonance. With over 60 years of dedication to the University, his fundamental research enabled the development of numerous practical applications across various fields. Vladimir Chizhik has earned many honours and awards, including the Medal of the Order "For Services to the Fatherland," 2^nd class, the Certificate of Honour from the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, and the Medals "Veteran of Labour" and "St Petersburg University."

Professor Ivan Uralov is Head of the Department of Fine Arts and Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts at St Petersburg University. His artwork is featured in museums and private collections across Russia, Poland, Italy, Germany, Spain, France, and the USA, including the State Russian Museum. Among his notable recognitions are the Russian State Prize in Architecture, the title of Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation, and the Order of Holy Prince Daniel of Moscow, bestowed by the Russian Orthodox Church.

By decree of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Elena Chernova, Professor in the Department of Economics of Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at St Petersburg University, has been awarded the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," 2^nd class. Professor Chernova holds the positions of Deputy Chairperson of St Petersburg University Academic Council and Academic Secretary of St Petersburg University. Her research focuses on modern integration processes, mergers and acquisitions, financing of integration processes, and corporate finance. Elena Chernova has earned numerous recognitions, including a Certificate of Honour from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, a commendation from the Minister of Finance, and the Badge of Honour "Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education."

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"I view this award as a recognition of the collective achievements of St Petersburg University employees, especially significant in the year when we celebrate our 300^th anniversary. It is a very meaningful moment for me, and I am deeply honoured to receive this award from Governor Alexander Beglov, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, who has been a steadfast supporter of the University and our initiatives," said Elena Chernova. "If it were not for the support of Alexander Beglov and Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, a notable alumnus and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, the decision to build a new St Petersburg University campus would not have been possible. We are sincerely grateful for their contributions."

The Area of St Petersburg University Development project involves creating a modern educational and research infrastructure zone in the Pushkinsky District to enhance and support the University’s core activities.

The Medal of the Order "For Services to the Fatherland," 2^nd class, has also been awarded to: Sergei Belozerov, Head of the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at St Petersburg University; Natalia Sheveleva, Head of the Department of Administrative and Financial Law; Aleksei Zhabko, Head of the Department of Control Theory; Elena Kustova, Dean of the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty and Head of the Department of Hydroaeromechanics at St Petersburg University; and Dmitry Shkarupa, Director of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University.

Professor Sergei Belozerov, Head of the Department of Risk Management and Insurance at St Petersburg University, has authored over 180 research papers in the field of finance. He also holds the positions of Scientific Director of the Centre for Financial Literacy and Deputy Head of the Laboratory of Asian Economic Studies at St Petersburg University. In recognition of his contributions to the development and improvement of the educational process and the training of highly qualified specialists, Professor Belozerov received a commendation from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation in 2010 and a Certificate of Honour from the same ministry in 2013.

Professor Aleksei Zhabko is an internationally recognised expert in the fields of control theory, differential-difference systems, and their applications. With over 50 years of dedication to St Petersburg University, he has authored more than 200 research papers published both in Russia and abroad, including ten monographs, textbooks, and manuals. In recognition of his contributions, Professor Zhabko was awarded the honorary title "Honoured Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation" in 1999, received the St Petersburg University diploma for pedagogical excellence in 2006, and was named a Veteran of Labour in 2012.

Elena Kustova, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, serves as the Dean of the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty and Head of the Department of Hydroaeromechanics at St Petersburg University. Her research interests span from the kinetic theory of transport and relaxation processes in non-equilibrium reacting gases to the study of heat and mass transfer on the surface of aircraft entering the atmospheres of Earth and Mars. Professor Kustova has led more than 20 scientific research projects, supported by St Petersburg University, the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, the Russian Science Foundation, and the European Space Agency. She has authored over 240 research publications.

Natalia Sheveleva is an expert in budget and tax law and has been working at the University for over 30 years. In 2012, she won the prestigious Lawyer of the Year award for her contributions to the development of civil society. Professor Sheveleva is a member of the High Qualification Board of Judges of the Russian Federation, a member of the expert council of the Presidential Directorate for the Protection of Citizens’ Constitutional Rights, and acts as an Open Government expert.

Dmitry Shkarupa has been working at St Petersburg University’s clinic for over a decade, initially as Head of the Urology Department and later as Deputy Director for the Organisation of Medical Care. Since 2022, he has been the Director of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University. Dr Shkarupa has co-authored more than 150 research publications, pioneered unique techniques for surgical reconstruction of the pelvic floor, and founded the North-West Centre of Pelvi-Perineology.

The Order of Friendship has been awarded to Vladimir Eremeev, Adviser in the Rector’s Office at St Petersburg University, and Lyudmila Gromova, a renowned historian of Russian journalism and Honorary Professor of St Petersburg University. Lyudmila Gromova has authored approximately 200 research publications, including four monographs and five textbooks. Her career has earned her numerous honours, including: the Medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," 2^nd class, the Badge of Honour from the Russian Union of Journalists "For Merit to the Professional Community," and the "Golden Pen of Russia" award in the category "Legend of Russian Journalism."

A letter of commendation from the President of the Russian Federation was awarded to: Sergey Andryushin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at St Petersburg University; Associate Professor Svetlana Rubtsova, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Head of the Department of English for Students in Economics and Law; and Professor Nikita Kuznetsov, Director of the Institute of Philosophy at St Petersburg University.

Associate Professor Svetlana Rubtsova has served as the Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at St Petersburg University since its establishment in 2017. She is a member of the Union of Translators of Russia and the Scientific Methodological Council of the Association of Translator and Interpreter Trainers, as well as the organiser of the annual international conference "Synergy of Languages and Cultures: Interdisciplinary Studies" held at St Petersburg University.

Professor Nikita Kuznetsov, Director of the Institute of Philosophy at St Petersburg University, has dedicated over 40 years to teaching in higher education. Beginning his career as an Assistant Lecturer, he has risen to the rank of Professor at St Petersburg University. Nikita Kuznetsov has authored more than 60 research and methodological publications. Under his leadership, the team behind the online course "Philosophy" was awarded the 2019 St Petersburg University Prize for the Educational and Methodological Work.

By decree of the President of the Russian Federation, the honorary title "Honoured Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation" was bestowed upon Larisa Golovey, Professor in the Department of Developmental Psychology and Differential Psychology and Honorary Professor of St Petersburg University. Throughout her academic career, Professor Golovey has received numerous accolades, including: a Certificate of Honour from St Petersburg University "For Pedagogical Excellence"; a Certificate of Honour from the Russian Foundation for Humanities "For Contribution to the Development of Humanities"; and a Certificate of Honour from the President of the Russian Federation "For Merit in Training Highly Qualified Personnel" (2011).