Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Participation of St Petersburg University in the 13th St Petersburg International Educational Forum

The St Petersburg International Educational Forum is an annual platform for discussions, exchange of experience, and frank professional dialogue between leading experts in the field of education. The forum is organised by the Government of St Petersburg and the Centre for Regional and International Cooperation. Among the partners of the event is St Petersburg University.

This year, more than 400 events were held as part of the forum from 27 to 31 March. Among them were: conferences, seminars, round tables, workshops, discussion platforms, foresight sessions, pedagogical competitions, contests, quests, and presentations. Scholars, educators, politicians, leaders of the education system, public and cultural figures discussed issues of global education as a fundamental basis for the development of society and building the future.

On 29 March, a plenary session was organised by the Government of St Petersburg and the University. It was held at St Petersburg University (Entrance 8, 1/3 Smolnogo Street). The solemn ceremony brought together Vladimir Medinsky, Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation; Sergey Kravtsov, Minister of Education of the Russian Federation; Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg, member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Valery Fadeyev, Advisor to the President of the Russian Federation; and Nikolay Kropachev Rector of St Petersburg University. The event was opened with an awards ceremony for the best teachers in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. It marked the Year of the Teacher and Mentor.

The meeting featured a professional conversation ‘Social studies: from a school subject to the worldview of the nation’. It brought together leaders of the education sector, scholars, politicians, teachers, and parents. The event was moderated by Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University. The main plenary report was made by Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University (The Year of the Teacher and Mentor solemnly opened in St Petersburg; Broadcast of the plenary session of the 13th St Petersburg International Educational Forum). The discussion focused on the issues of improving the quality of teaching social science at school; the development of the integrative functions of the subjects in the system of formation of social attitudes of modern youth; the development of personal potential in the context of the formation of a social worldview; and the role of research in the formation and development of the school subjects. The positions of St Petersburg University experts will be taken into account in developing an updated course of social science.

On the same day, St Petersburg University (7, 22nd Line Vasilyevsky Island) hosted a round table "Guidance on choosing a career: interaction of general and higher education systems". Representatives of schools and universities shared their experience of networking and organising joint projects that help schoolchildren who are future applicants to choose an educational trajectory.

As the participants in the discussion said that career guidance does not end at the stage of school education. Students at universities continue to build not only their educational trajectory, but also begin to better understand their professional interests. At St Petersburg University, students have an opportunity to get acquainted with their future profession and perform socially significant tasks in the relevant field while doing internships in a clinical format. Today, there are 16 clinics at St Petersburg University. They are aimed at preparing students for work and solving real-world problems in their areas of study. They also provide guidance in choosing a career for schoolchildren.

All-Russian scientific and practical conference "Philosophy and fundamentals of Russian statehood: ideological content in modern higher education" held at St Petersburg University

In order to improve the quality of teaching social sciences, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation has developed the DNA of Russia Project. The project is aimed at involving the academic community in the process of developing an integrated approach to the development of educational, methodological and research support for state policy in the field of education, higher education and youth work. In accordance with Subparagraph "a" of Paragraph 11 of List of Instructions № Pr-173GS of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, approved on 29 January 2023, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation must develop and include a course (module) "Fundamentals of Russian Statehood" in academic programmes of higher education by 1 August 2023. In this regard, one of the main tasks of the DNA of Russia Project is to develop and introduce the new course (module) ‘Fundamentals of Russian Statehood’ into the teaching and learning process.

According to Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities at St Petersburg University, on 30-31 March, St Petersburg University organised the All-Russian scientific and practical conference "Philosophy and fundamentals of Russian statehood: ideological content in modern higher education". It was part of the DNA of Russia Project. As part of the work of five sections, representatives of Russian universities held an expert discussion of the worldview foundations, content, structure, teaching methods of the course (module) "Fundamentals of Russian Statehood".

At the meeting held after the conference, Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, and Andrey Polosin, Research Supervisor of the DNA of Russia Project, reported that the course (module) "Fundamentals of Russian Statehood" will be included in all first-year programmes of higher education from 1 September 2023. In this regard, more than 2,000 university lecturers must undergo advanced training in the period from April to August.

Marina Lavrikova said that St Petersburg University is a support organisation. In other words, it is an expert centre for the project, i.e. for universities in the Northwestern Federal District. In October 2022, as part of St Petersburg University’s participation in the DNA of Russia Project, a working group was formed at the University. The group included members from the academic and research subdivisions (St Petersburg University presents the DNA of Russia project). At present, it is necessary to increase the number of lecturers who will undergo advanced training and will deliver the course (module) "Fundamentals of Russian Statehood".

The heads of the academic and research subdivisions and Vladimir Eremeev, Vice-Rector for Human Resources at St Petersburg University, were instructed to submit information on the candidacies of lecturers by 12 April.

Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Digital and Technological Development Dmitry Peskov visits St Petersburg University

On 30 March, Dmitry Peskov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Digital and Technological Development, and Leonid Osipov, Chief Managing Director for Technological Development and Innovations at the VEB.RF, visited St Petersburg University. During the visit, the guests got acquainted with information about the projects of St Petersburg University in the field of control of unmanned aerial vehicles, the developments of the team of the Competence Centre of the National Technology Initiative in the field of "Distributed Ledger Technologies", including the decentralised international system of interbank financial messages, i.e. DCMS.

There was a working meeting between Dmitry Peskov and Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

International activities

According to Sergey Andryushin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at St Petersburg University, the following events have recently been held.

Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain

On 28 March, the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain held the online lecture on testing fonts for people with reading difficulties. The lecture was delivered by Svetlana Alekseeva, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Cognitive Studies. On 30 March, Anna Silyunas, a theatre critic, an art historian and Director of the Cultural Foundation "Russian House in Barcelona" delivered the lecture "Marlene Dietrich and Erich Maria Remarque: You Only Live Once".

Meeting of Rector Nikolay Kropachev with Ms Karin Kneissl

On 30 March, Rector Nikolay Kropachev met the former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Karin Kneissl. The meeting was held via videoconference. During the meeting, they discussed the issues of cooperation between the University and Ms Karin Kneissl. One of the areas of cooperation will be the work of Ms Karin Kneissl as the head of the Centre "Geopolitical Observatory for Russia Key Issues (GORKI)" at St Petersburg University. Ms Kneisl expressed her readiness to deliver lectures for students and take part in scientific events at the University.

Consul General of Switzerland Ms Béatrice Latteier visits St Petersburg University

On 30 March, Consul General of Switzerland Béatrice Latteier visited St Petersburg University. During the meeting, Ms Béatrice Latteier was provided with information on the work of the University and on international cooperation of St Petersburg University. Representatives of the Consulate General of Switzerland announced their readiness to organise events with the participation of representatives of Swiss educational institutions. The events will focus on the issues related to the environmental agenda, green energy issues, art, and culture to name just a few.

Meeting of the Chairmen of the Coordinating Committees of Korea−Russia Dialogue Forum

On 30 March, there was a meeting between the chairmen of the coordinating committees of the Korea−Russia Dialogue Forum, Rector Nikolay Kropachev, and the ex-Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Russian Federation, Mr Lee Kyu Hyung. The meeting was held via videoconference. The progress of the implementation of the work plan of the Korea−Russia Dialogue Forum for 2023 was discussed. The plan includes activities related to political agenda and international relations; economics and trade; culture and art; education and science; and issues of the functioning of the media to name just a few. The leaders of the coordinating committees pay special attention to the communication of young people from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Korea. Thus, the plan incorporates the Youth Dialogue, meetings of the Korea−Russia youth discussion club, and a seminar for specialists in youth policy.

Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in the Italian Republic

On 31 March, the St Petersburg University Representative Office in the Italian Republic held the online lecture "Nikolai Gogol in Rome". The lecture was delivered by Professor Marina Samarina, Head of the Department of Italian Studies at St Petersburg University. Valentino Baldi, Professor from the University for Foreigners in Siena, delivered the online lecture "Literature and the literariness of Niccolò Machiavelli’s The Prince".

Cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and the Samarkand branch of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi

A cooperation agreement has been signed between St Petersburg University and the Samarkand branch of the Tashkent University of Information Technologies named after Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi (Republic of Uzbekistan). The texts of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Agreement between St Petersburg University and the association "Italy — Russia. Lombardy" for state testing in Russian as a foreign language

St Petersburg University and the association ‘Italy — Russia. Lombardy’ (Italy) signed an agreement on conducting the state testing in Russian as a foreign language. The texts of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Results of monitoring the quality of admissions to universities

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the international media group ‘Rossiya Segodnya’ annually monitor the quality of admissions to Russian universities. The monitoring includes all Russian universities that accept students mainly on the basis of the results of the Unified State Examination (in 2022, there were 812 universities, including 396 head state universities, 321 branches and 95 non-state universities). Creative universities and universities of law enforcement agencies are not included in the monitoring.

As Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions, said, St Petersburg University, as in 2021, tops the ranking of classical universities in terms of the quality of admissions. The ranking is based on the average score of the Unified State Examination of enrolled students. Students were admitted on: government-funded places (the average score is 90.1); and places on the fee-paying (contractual) basis (the average score is 78). Lomonosov Moscow State University ranks second among classical universities both in terms of admissions on the government-funded places (the average score is 88.9) and places on the fee-paying (contractual) basis (the average score is 77.9).

In the context of the consolidated groups of main fields of study (hereinafter referred to as the consolidated groups), St Petersburg University is included in the monitoring of the quality of admissions on the government-funded places for 36 consolidated groups. Lomonosov Moscow State University is included in the monitoring of the quality of admissions for 29 consolidated groups. As part of admissions on a fee-paying basis, St Petersburg University is included in the monitoring of the quality of admission for 28 consolidated groups, while Lomonosov Moscow State University is included in the monitoring the quality of admissions for 26 consolidated groups.

Considering the positions of universities in the consolidated groups that are represented by the universities in the ranking, it should be noted that St Petersburg University is ahead of Lomonosov Moscow State University in the ranking of the quality of admissions on the government-funded places for 20 out of 27 consolidated groups. With regard to the position of universities in the framework of admissions on a fee-paying basis, St Petersburg University is ahead of Lomonosov Moscow State University in 15 out of 22 consolidated groups.

A detailed comparison of St Petersburg University and Lomonosov Moscow State University based on the results of monitoring the quality of admissions to universities in 2022 is presented in the Appendix.

Organisation of the teaching and learning process

Over the past week, 29 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to preparation of documents on studies, procedures for granting an academic leave, and the review of decisions of assessment committees. An analysis of the information on the organisation of the teaching and learning process provided by the heads of academic and research subdivisions has been carried out. Classes are held according to the timetable in due order. As of 31 March information was not sent by Anna Germer, Director of the Medical College.

The heads of academic and research subdivisions continue to hold meetings with student activists: group heads, and representatives of student councils and student scientific societies to name just a few. Over the past week, meetings on the organisation of the teaching and learning process were held at: the Institute of Philosophy; the Institute of Chemistry; the Faculty of Foreign Languages; the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty; the School of International Relations; the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Control Processes; the Faculty of Sociology; the Faculty of Physics; the Faculty of Philology; the Faculty of Economics; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology (the minutes of the meeting were not formalised and not submitted for publication). Additionally, the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Law held meetings with students from the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic.

The work of the committees to check compliance with the timetable of classes and interim assessments is underway. Over the past week, 157 inspections were conducted. Two cases of violations were identified. The acts of detected violations have been submitted for revision to Vladimir Eremeev, Vice-Rector for Human Resources.

Announcement of gratitude to Alexey Rodionov from the President of the Russian Federation

For merits in research and pedagogical activities, preparing qualified specialists and many years of conscientious work, the gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation (see Decree No 90-rp of the President of the Russian Federation dated 27 March 2023) was announced to Associate Professor Alexey Rodionov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies and Professor in the Department of Chinese Philology at St Petersburg University.

The meeting participants congratulated Alexey Rodionov on the high state award and wished him further success in developing and promoting academic programmes with a Chinese component.

Cultural events at St Petersburg University from 3 to 9 April

Online exhibition "Fluorescent minerals"

On 4 April, there was opened an online exhibition "Fluorescent minerals" to mark the Geologist’s Day. It is part of the activities of the Mineralogical Museum at St Petersburg University. The museum will visually present one of the important defining properties of a mineral, i.e. fluorescence.

Speeches by Sviatoslav Medvedev, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences

At 6pm on 4 April, Sviatoslav Medvedev, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (Moscow) will deliver two reports. Among them are: ‘A new look at the systemic organisation of the brain’ and "A study of altered states of consciousness in Buddhist meditation". The event will be held at the Bobrinsky Palace (Room 152, 58–60 Galernaya Street). It is part of the St Petersburg seminar on cognitive research.

Online lecture "Goals and values of personalised education"

At 7pm on 4 April, the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Barcelona (Spain) holds the online lecture "Goals and values of personalised education". The lecture is part of the new series of lectures "How to teach and learn in the 21st century". The lecture will be delivered by Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University and Research Director of the New School Platform project.

Open lecture "Samson Sukhanov. Column master"

At 5pm on 5 April, there is an open lecture "Samson Sukhanov. Column master" . The event is held in the reading room of the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University (7-9 Universitetskaya Embankment). The lecture focuses on the Russian sculptor of the first third of the 19th century, whose works include two granite balls placed on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island.

Exhibition "100 years of teaching radiology as an independent training course for students at medical universities"

At 3pm on 6 April, there will be opened a poster exhibition with a book exposition "100 years of teaching radiology as an independent training course for students at medical universities". The exhibition is held in the corridor of the Twelve Collegia building (7-9 Universitetskaya Embankment). It focuses on teaching radiology at the departments of medical institutes in Russia. The exhibition is part of the project "Popularisation of science and technology". It is set to mark the Year of the Teacher and Mentor.