Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting
The participants in the meeting held a moment of silence for Nikolai Raskov, Professor Emeritus of St Petersburg University.
International activities
According to Vice-Rector for International Affairs Sergey Andryushin, a number of new events have recently taken place.
Meeting of the Korean Club as part of the activities of the Korea−Russia Dialogue Forum
A lecture on healing culture (힐링) in South Korea has been held during an online meeting of the Korean Club, established on the initiative of the Korea — Russia Dialogue Forum and St Petersburg University. The guest at the meeting was Natalia Dmitrievskaia, a graduate of St Petersburg University, a Korean studies expert, researcher and translator.
In many countries across the globe, people are striving to find ways to deal with poor mental states, such as: burnout; low self-esteem; or depression. Interest in emotional and physical healing is a rather recent trend that emerged in the USA in the 2000s. The primary objective is to address and overcome personal health challenges and improve one’s psychological well-being through personal intellectual and spiritual growth. Russian and Korean students were told about health issues related to overwork and stress — unwanted by-products of modern life. In South Korea, healing culture surged in popularity in the 2010s. Books on self-development were sold like hot cakes. Many academic programmes on psychological well-being were launched. Seonam University established the Faculty of Healing. Countless healing retreats were opened across the country ("Engaging with reality, not escaping from it": Korean studies expert Natalia Dmitrievskaia on healing culture in Korea).
Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain
On 30 January, the Representative Office of St Petersburg University in the Kingdom of Spain hosted an online lecture focused on the film The Challenge (Vyzov). The lecture was delivered by Liubov Bugaeva, Professor in the Department of the History of Russian Literature at St Petersburg University.
Organisation of the teaching and learning process
Over the period from 29 January to 2 February, 34 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to preparation of various documents, and transfer to St Petersburg University. 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. Interim assessment is over. Most students in the academic programmes of higher education are on holiday.
Over the past week, meetings were held with student activists: group heads, and representatives of student councils and student scientific societies to name just a few. They discussed issues with organising the teaching and learning process. The meetings were held at: the Graduate School of Management; the Faculty of Philology; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology.
Classes in the spring semester of the 2023/2024 academic year start from 12 February according to the academic calendar.
Results of the sociological study "Parents’ choice of a child’s educational strategy"
The Centre for Applied Sociology at St Petersburg University summed up the results of a survey among parents about their children’s educational strategies. The telephone survey was conducted between 13 October and 11 December 2023. The purpose of the study was to explore the main strategies of parents regarding their children’s education. The survey participants were parents of schoolchildren in grades 7–11. The sample population included 800 residents of the Russian Federation.
According to the results of the study, parents are focused on higher education. Most parents consider entering higher education institutions as the initial option for the educational trajectory, while a less common strategy is associated with the perception of a non-university level higher education institution as a transitional stage for obtaining higher education. The main motive for entering both higher education institutions and non-university level higher education institutions is the goal to acquire professional skills.
According to Maiia Rusakova, Director of the Centre for Applied Sociology at St Petersburg University, parents have a set of the most significant criteria for choosing an educational institution. For most parents, the content of the teaching and learning process is important, i.e. the content of the academic programme, high-calibre academic staff, employment prospects and career opportunities. The least significant selection criterion is the possibility of continuing the professional dynasty.
Most parents view their children’s educational strategies from an applied point of view. In this regard, future profession and employment prospects are important. This point of view is manifested both in parents’ requests for the necessary information from educational institutions and in the criteria for choosing an educational institution.
For parents, it is important to interact with higher and secondary educational institutions in career guidance activities. Most often children attend career guidance events at school. Parents have formulated a request to gain information about educational institutions, i.e. information about the conditions of study, content of academic programmes and the qualifications of lecturers, while information about employment prospects is slightly less significant.
During the discussion, the participants in the Rector’s meeting said that information about academic programmes, academic staff, student living conditions and other information should be presented on the St Petersburg University website taking into account the needs of the parents of future applicants. We need to develop a dialogue with parents and receive feedback, for example, in the form of a parent meeting or a parent forum. It was also proposed to hold open days of academic programmes and academic and research subdivisions not only for applicants, but also for their parents.
Introduction of the University’s own additional admissions tests for bachelor’s and master’s programmes with participation of St Petersburg University’s partner organisations
For the 2025/2026 admissions cycle, according to Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions, in order to improve admission procedure for bachelor’s and master’s programmes at St Petersburg University that are included in the list of the academic programmes implemented by St Petersburg University in cooperation with large organisations-partners as part of the project aimed to open Advanced Engineering School (St Petersburg University takes second place in the contest to open an advanced engineering school), and to improve the selection of applicants who are the most capable and prepared to pursue master’s programmes; it is planned to carry out the following:
- additional admissions tests in writing using distance technologies for bachelor’s programmes; and
- admissions tests in writing using distance technologies for master’s programmes
The examination boards and review boards will include representatives of employing organisations that are partners of St Petersburg University. This will allow to make the tasks practically oriented and to assess applicants’ knowledge, taking into account the specifics of the area of study.
Based on the results of the discussion of this issue with the heads of the academic and research subdivisions, the admissions tests will be organised for academic programmes in the field of business informatics (bachelor’s and master’s programmes); nanosystems and nanomaterials (master’s programmes); Earth sciences (master’s programmes); management (master’s programmes); physics (bachelor’s programmes); finance and credit (master’s programmes); and economics (master’s programmes).
Visiting meeting of the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev with heads (representatives) of government agencies and organisations
In St Petersburg on 29 January, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation Nikolai Patrushev held a visiting meeting with heads of government agencies and organisations to discuss the issues relating to improving the quality of training engineering personnel for high-tech industries. The meeting brought together representatives of the Russia’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education, the Russia’s Ministry of Education, the Russia’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, state corporations, universities of St Petersburg, and companies in the military-industrial complex.
The issues of developing a national network of technology centres at regional universities and enterprises in high-tech industries were discussed. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, made a report. At the meeting, the decision was supported to develop a science and technology centre "The Neva Delta" as part of the area of St Petersburg University development. It was also decided that St Petersburg State Marine Technical University (a base "Primorskaia") will be part of the science and technology "The Neva Delta". This will allow the development of joint projects between St Petersburg University and St Petersburg State Marine Technical University.
Contests of the Russian Science Foundation in 2024
According to Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research at St Petersburg University, a calendar of the contests of the Russian Science Foundation in 2024 has been published on section "Contests" on the website of the Russian Science Foundation. According to him, the conditions for holding the contests of the Russian Science Foundation (both international and thematic) are becoming more complicated. For example, to formulate an application, it is necessary to find in advance not only a partner university in another country, but also technology partners in Russia and in another country.
Leaders of research teams were advised to inform the Office of the Vice-Rector for Research in advance about the preparation of applications for the contests of the Russian Science Foundation so that the administrative services of the University have time to provide necessary support. When applications for interdisciplinary contests are being prepared, a research team should be formed in advance from representatives of various academic and research subdivisions of the University.
The 5th Winter School on Translation and Interpreting
St Petersburg University has held the 5th Winter School on Translation and Interpreting. It brought together more than 750 practising translators, interpreters, lecturers, and students from 19 countries. Over the course of two days, great wordsmiths discussed their professional secrets and shared their experience in translation and interpreting. They also focused on the current issues in translation and interpreting. The Russian Union of Translators provided support for the Winter School.
The distinctive feature and advantage of the School on Translation and Interpreting is a particular emphasis on practice, said Svetlana Rubtsova, Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages at St Petersburg University. The event brings together experts from various fields of translation and interpreting, representatives of creative unions and associations, translation companies, and university lecturers. Despite the difficult international situation, among the speakers and participants were translators and interpreters from Australia, the Republic of Belarus, Brazil, India, Kazakhstan, China, the Republic of Moldova, the UAE, the USA, Türkiye, the Ukraine, and Estonia to name just a few.
The large-scale event for experts in translation and interpreting has already become traditional for the University. The online format of the 5th Winter School on Translation and Interpreting at St Petersburg University attracted many participants and expanded the range of languages. The programme included workshops in 18 European, Asian and African languages. It also included six round tables, an experimental workshop and a laboratory for research on the issues relating to Africa today.
The Winter School on Translation and Interpreting at St Petersburg University included panels on Yiddish, English, Arabic, Hungarian, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Korean, German, Persian, Portuguese, Serbian, Turkish, French, and Czech. In 2024, it also featured panels in Persian and Hindi. The translators and interpreters discussed a wide range of issues. Among them were the following: consecutive interpreting during meetings of official delegations at the highest level; literary translation of poetry, prose, religious and highly professional texts; translation of opera librettos and Internet memes; and cooperation with athletes and law enforcement officials (Translation and interpreting into 18 languages of the world discussed at the Winter School at St Petersburg University).
After the school, its participants were invited to pursue one of the non-degree, advanced training programmes or professional retraining programmes in translation and interpreting. On 5 February, the course "Modern Trends in Teaching Translation and Interpreting" started for lecturers of translation, interpreting and foreign languages, while on 12 February, classes will begin in the programme "Translator in the Field of Professional Communication" for translators and interpreters working with English, Italian, or Chinese languages. The first module of the programme "Simultaneous Interpreting and Intercultural Communication", in its turn, is suited to those who strive to try themselves in simultaneous interpreting.
International scientific conference "Mathematics in the constellation of sciences"
The Russian Union of Rectors reported that in order to broadly discuss the current state and prospects for the development of fundamental and applied mathematics, the system of training highly qualified personnel for research and education in the field of mathematics and related branches of science, and to take into account the need to update the current Concept of mathematics education (in accordance with tasks of the Strategy for Scientific and Technological Development of the Russian Federation), on 1 to 2 April 2024, Lomonosov Moscow State University is holding an international scientific conference "Mathematics in the constellation of sciences". There will be more than 20 panels in branches of mathematics.
Cultural events at St Petersburg University during February
Elena Lebedkina, Head of the Main Department for Exhibitions, Museum, Library and Publishing Activities, has presented the digest of cultural events of the University, which will take place in February.
Exhibition "The image of India in the works by Aleksandra Fedorova"
From 1 February to 20 February 2024, the Exhibition Hall of St Petersburg University hosts the exhibition "The image of India in the works by Aleksandra Fedorova". The exhibition is organised by the Diaghilev Museum of Modern Art at St Petersburg University and dedicated to the Year of India in Russia.
Online exhibition "St Petersburg University artists"
On 1 February 2024, the University opens the online exhibition "St Petersburg University artists". The exhibition features works of various genres and techniques from the museum collection of St Petersburg University and private collections of 45 authors.
Lecture "The works by Nabokov and Bunin — points of contact"
On 2 February 2024, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University held the lecture "The works by Nabokov and Bunin — points of contact". The lecture was delivered by Nina Shcherbak, Associate Professor in the Department of English Philology and Cultural Linguistics at St Petersburg University.
Opening of exhibitions to mark the anniversary of St Petersburg University
On 8 February, the following exhibitions will open:
- the updated exhibition "Alma Mater of the Russian Petrography School"
- A series of exhibitions to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University: Peter’s University "Peter the Great introduced science to us..."
- The book and illustrative exhibition of publications from the collection of the Scientific Library "From the history of University anniversaries. To the 300th anniversary of the foundation of St Petersburg University"
- The exhibition of graphics "The University in the works of Leningrad artists"
- The exhibition "Student construction teams of Leningrad State University — St Petersburg University. Past and present"
- The exhibition of sports achievements of the University staff, students, and graduates "O sport, you are the University!"
The online exhibition "Dmitri Mendeleev — three services of the Motherland" and the online exhibition "History of the University in signs and icons" will also open.
Exhibition by the St Petersburg sculptor Antonina Fatkhullina
On 10 February, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University opens the exhibition "Chrysalis" by the modern St Petersburg sculptor Antonina Fatkhullina Chrysalis. Her project is an imaginative reflection on the phenomenon of change and transformation, which began with an experiment in her own workshop on growing six species of living butterflies.
Online exhibition "Minerals named after employees and graduates of the Department of Mineralogy"
On 15 February, the University opens the online exhibition "Minerals named after employees and graduates of the Department of Mineralogy of St Petersburg University (Leningrad State University)".
Presentations of new publications of St Petersburg University
On 16 February, the book shop ‘Dom Universitetskoi Knigi (University Book House)’ will host the presentations of the new publications of St Petersburg University: the popular science publication "Trap for a Genius. Essays on Dmitri Mendeleev"; and the joint monograph "Three Realms of Law: Validity, Efficacy, Legitimacy".
Opening of the jubilee exhibition "Three Centuries of St Petersburg University"
On 26 February, the jubilee exhibition "Three Centuries of St Petersburg University" will open in the Engineering House of the Peter and Paul Fortress at the venue of the Museum of the History of St Petersburg. For the first time, items from the collections of eight University’s museums, the M Gorky Scientific Library, and the Herbarium of St Petersburg University will be presented simultaneously in one place.
Online exhibition "History of palaeontology at St Petersburg University"
On 29 February, the University opens the online exhibition "History of palaeontology at St Petersburg University". The final part of the exhibition introduces the scientific biographies of scientists who developed palaeontology and stratigraphy at the University. It also presents the collections of the Palaeontology Museum at St Petersburg University.
Opening of the exhibition "The 20th century continues"
On 29 February, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University opens the exhibition "The 20th century continues". The exhibition is organised with the participation of the State Literary Museum "20th century". The exhibition focuses on the development of industry in St Petersburg from 1916 to 1936. It displays exhibits from private collections.
Events to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University
The plan of main festive events during the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the University was approved in September 2021 at the meeting of the Organising Committee for preparing and celebrating the 300th anniversary of the Federal State Budgetary Institution of Higher Education "St Petersburg State University". The meeting was chaired by Dmitry Chernyshenko, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation. Among the events are: the naming of a minor planet in honour of St Petersburg University; the issuance of bank cards with a special design; the creation of postage stamps dedicated to the history of the oldest university in Russia; and the branding of the aircraft of the Rossiya Airlines to name just a few.
By the decision of the Governor of St Petersburg Alexander Beglov, 2024 is a year of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University in St Petersburg. On the day of the University’s 300th anniversary, torches will be lit on the Rostral Columns on the Spit of Vasilyevsky Island. St Petersburg University flags will be raised on the Palace Bridge. The city public transport will be decorated with the University’s symbols. New tourist maps will feature the locations of the University buildings, with thematic and historical materials about the University placed nearby. During St Petersburg’s City Day celebrations in May 2024, St Petersburg University will be a participating venue. The traditional "Scarlet Sails Festival" will also be dedicated to the anniversaries of St Petersburg University and the Russian Academy of Sciences (In 2024, St Petersburg University celebrates its 300th anniversary).
Elena Chernova, Senior Vice-Rector of St Petersburg University, presented great events during the festive days in February and beyond.
- At 12 noon on 8 February, a festive cannon shot from the Naryshkin Bastion of the Peter and Paul Fortress will ring out in honour of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University
- At 12.30pm on 8 February, the exhibition "Planet University" will open in Moscow at the International RUSSIA EXPO at the stand of St Petersburg
- The official cancellation ceremony of state postage stamps on the layout of the winner of the contest of student works will be held at 4pm on 8 February at the Petrovsky Hall
- The corporate livery of Rossiya Airlines aircraft with St Petersburg University logo will be presented at 12 noon on 9 February at Pulkovo Airport
- The portrait gallery of the rectors of Imperial University, Petrograd University, Leningrad State University, and St Petersburg University will be unveiled at 2pm on 9 February in the Twelve Collegia building
- A gala meeting of the St Petersburg University staff at the Mariinsky Theatre and a festive concert to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University will be held at 5.30pm on 9 February
- The State Hermitage Museum will hold Open Doors Day for the University’s staff, students, and graduates
- A scientific conference will be held to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. An exhibition of scientific achievements of St Petersburg University scholars will also open
On the eve of the festive occasion, red and white flags with the University’s emblem and the date of its foundation — 1724 — will be raised on the Palace Bridge in the centre of St Petersburg. In honour of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, the façades of four buildings will be decorated with light projections at the following addresses: 70 Bolshoi Prospect, Vasilyevsky Island; 26-28 Kamennoostrovsky Prospect; 91 Moskovsky Prospect; and 89 Obvodny Canal Embankment. The flags and buildings will bear the motto of the 300th anniversary: "History Knowledge. People".