The Universitetskaya railway platform branded for the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University

The event brought together Oleg Valinskiy, Rector of Emperor Alexander I St Petersburg State Transport University; Elena Astashova, Deputy Director for Scientific and Educational Activities of the Central Museum of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation; Vladimir Odintsov, Director of the Russian Railway Museum; and Elena Chernova, Academic Secretary of St Petersburg University, Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University. 

Igor Sakovich, Senior Deputy Head for Economics, Finance and Corporate Coordination of the Oktyabrskaya Railway, delivered a welcoming speech. The work on the development of the Oktyabrskaya Railway has several areas, including transport logistics, rail freight services and passenger railway services. "One of the important elements is the development of passenger rail infrastructure. We understand that a railway station, a stopping point, a platform are the first thing that passengers come into contact with, and it is these facilities and amenities that create their first impression," said Igor Sakovich. 

The Universitetskaya railway platform was opened in Peterhof in 1972 for students and staff of Leningrad State University who studied and worked in the Petrodvorets Training and Research Complex. Today, four academic and research subdivisions at St Petersburg University and resource centres of the St Petersburg University Research Park engaged in research in the field of nanotechnology and materials science, biomedicine and human health, and information technology are located in Peterhof. The modernisation and renewal of the platform was a gift from railway workers for the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University.

Every day, hundreds of the University’s staff and students use the Universitetskaya railway platform. I am sure they will appreciate its modern appearance, convenience and, of course, the connection with St Petersburg University, which is celebrating its 300th anniversary this year. The new passenger waiting shelters are a significant gift for students living in Peterhof. This event will become a platform for our further fruitful cooperation.

Elena Chernova, Academic Secretary of St Petersburg University, Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University

"The new passenger waiting shelters on the Universitetskaya platform were built by our joint industrial partner, Russian Railways, and, what is very pleasing, in the year of the University’s 300th anniversary," said Oleg Valinskiy, Rector of Emperor Alexander I St Petersburg State Transport University.

As part of the presentation, a multilateral agreement on cooperation in the development of youth popular science tourism was signed between St Petersburg University, Emperor Alexander I St Petersburg State Transport University, the Russian Railway Museum, and the Central Museum of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation.

In 2024, the Rector of Emperor Alexander I St Petersburg State Transport University celebrates its 215th anniversary.

"A cooperation agreement has already been signed between St Petersburg University and our museum. For five years, the Olympiad on the history of engineering has been held among schoolchildren from all regions of Russia. The new project, I am sure, will attract the attention of talented students, demonstrate the potential of tourist, educational and career guidance opportunities of technical museums, and enable students to unleash their creative potential", said Elena Astashova, Deputy Director for Scientific and Educational Activities of the Central Museum of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation. 

The partners will develop individual tourist programmes and create routes to the objects of research, museum, production and innovation infrastructure of organisations. Together with museums, universities plan to organise youth scientific and educational events as part of travels. Industrial partners and representatives of the expert community will be involved in their organisation and implementation. The document also involves the development of joint academic programmes in a network format and academic mobility programmes for students.

Earlier, as part of the celebration of the anniversary of the oldest Russian university, the branded train began running in the St Petersburg metro. It features interesting facts from the history of St Petersburg University and the lives of outstanding University researchers, educators, and students. Trolleybuses and trams decorated in the University’s corporate style appeared on the streets of the city. The fuselage of the Soyuz rocket carrying the Progress MS-27 cargo spacecraft is decorated with a livery dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. The Rossiya Airlines aircraft also has a branded livery. The sticker dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University appeared on the vehicles of the tour operator accredited to conduct scientific and educational tours at the Baikonur Cosmodrome and Vostochny Cosmodrome.

"Young people are the most important audience for the Russian Railway Museum. We hold various events aimed at young people that unfold the history of Russia through the prism of railway history. The agreement opens up broad opportunities for the implementation of new and interesting projects," said Vladimir Odintsov, Director of the Russian Railway Museum.

Recently, St Petersburg University opened a Tour Guiding Clinic, where students will be able to take part in the development of cultural routes, excursion programmes and complex tourism products.

The signing of the agreement opens a new page in the history of cooperation between the city’s leading universities and largest railway museums in Russia, said Elena Chernova at the ceremony. 

"Today, we are combining our efforts to introduce achievements and prospects of Russian science to wider community, attract talented young people to the field of research and development, and promote scientific and technological development of Russia. St Petersburg University is always ready to share its rich experience and adopt the experience of colleagues to create truly interesting and significant educational projects," said Elena Chernova.