1 July 2024 Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

№ 603
dated 01.07.2024

    International activities 

    The following events were recently held at St Petersburg University. 

    Participation of representatives of St Petersburg University in the 4th Russian-Uzbek Educational Forum 

    The 4th Russian-Uzbek Educational Forum took place in Vladivostok on 24-25 June. Representatives of St Petersburg University made presentations in the following panels: "Education and creative industries: building the future economy", "Digitalisation and Artificial Intelligence: prospects for transforming higher education", and "Development of the secondary vocational education system for the training of future personnel". 

    Within the framework of the Forum, St Petersburg University and Termez State University signed a cooperation agreement. Also, the University and the administration of the Institute for Retraining and Advanced Training of Personnel of the Higher Education System under Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Uzbekistan signed a roadmap to implement the agreements reached in the field of retraining and advanced training of higher education personnel for 2024-2029. 

    Visit to St Petersburg University of the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic 

    Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Argentine Republic to Russia Enrique Ignacio Ferrer Vieyra has visited St Petersburg University. During the visit, the parties discussed the opportunities to strengthen academic cooperation and conduct joint research projects. The parties also identified priority areas to develop partnership. 

    Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, expressed hope for the active participation of the Embassy of the Argentine Republic in the implementation and development of the joint educational and research projects and shared the sad statistics of previous years regarding academic exchange. More active interaction with Argentine educational organisations and scientific institutes will attract more students interested in long-term academic and cultural exchange. 

    Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain 

    On 25 June, St Petersburg University and its Representative Office in the Kingdom of Spain held an online lecture focused on the acquisition of Russian as a first and second language in childhood. The lecture was delivered by Tatiana Krugliakova, the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Methods of Its Teaching. On 27 June, there was an online lecture focused on the life and work of Lars von Trier. The lecture was delivered by Nina Shcherbak, Associate Professor in the Department of English Philology and Cultural Linguistics. 

    Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Thailand On 25 and 27 June, the St Petersburg University Representative Office in the Kingdom of Thailand

     held online lectures focused on phrases expressing emotions, mood and well-being. The lectures were delivered by Maria Nechaeva, Lecturer in the Department of Russian for Students in Humanities and Natural Sciences, within the framework of the Russian language course for foreign citizens. 

    Delegation from South China Normal University visits St Petersburg University

    On 26 June, representatives of St Petersburg University met with a delegation from South China Normal University (the People’s Republic of China) led by Comrade Wang Binwei, Chairman of the University Council of South China Normal University. During the meeting, a cooperation agreement was signed, prospects for developing interaction in the field of history studies were discussed, and the possibility of signing protocols on student and academic exchanges was considered. 

    Participation of representatives of St Petersburg University in the 11th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions 

    On 27-28 June, the 11th Forum of Russian and Belarusian Regions took place in Vitebsk, Polotsk, and Novopolotsk (the Republic of Belarus). Within the framework of the panel "Effective implementation of legislation as the most important factor of Union State integration", the report "Legal support of academic and research cooperation of the Union State" was presented by Sergey Andryushin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs of St Petersburg University. On the sidelines of the Forum, St Petersburg University also signed cooperation agreements with Belarus State Economic University, Brest State A.S. Pushkin University, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, and Polessky State University. 

    Memorandum of cooperation and student exchange protocol with ADA University (the Republic of Azerbaijan) 

    St Petersburg University and ADA University (the Republic of Azerbaijan) signed a memorandum of cooperation and a student exchange protocol. The texts of the agreements can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

    All-Russian scientific and practical conference "Traditional values in Russian law" 

    On 25 June, St Petersburg University held the All-Russian scientific and practical conference ‘Traditional values in Russian law’. The conference focused on the results of the activities of the consortium of educational and scientific organisations created on behalf of the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Dmitry Chernyshenko to develop proposals for bringing the legislation of the Russian Federation into compliance with the provisions of Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation No 809 "On Approving the Fundamentals of State Policy for the Preservation and Strengthening of Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values". 

    The conference brought together Deputy Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation Vsevolod Vukolov; Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev; more than 100 experts, i.e. well-known Russian lawyers specialising in various branches of law and representing leading Russia’s scientific and educational legal centres; and representatives of the traditional religions of Russia. 

    Nikolay Kropachev drew attention to the fact that the implementation of traditional spiritual and moral values requires a clear and specific content. To this end, it is necessary to document this content in official sources. The best way for consolidation is to describe the meanings of the basic concepts denoting these values in the explanatory dictionary of the state language, which is currently being developed by St Petersburg University. This work is done in accordance with the legislation on the state language and in pursuance of instructions from the President and Government of Russia. The Rector of St Petersburg University shared the interim results of the consortium’s work. More than 400 provisions and regulations requiring amendments were identified, and 224 proposals were prepared to amend federal laws and other regulations. 

    According to Deputy Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation Vsevolod Vukolov, the Ministry of Justice of Russia, together with St Petersburg University, Kutafin Moscow State Law University, All-Russian State University of Justice, and the Patriarchal Commission for Family and Protection of Motherhood and Childhood, is studying the issue of consolidating the content of the traditional Russian spiritual and moral values in the normative dictionary of the state language. 

    Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University Sergei Belov, describing legal concepts and categories, the analysis and adjustment of which are required in connection with the implementation of Russian spiritual and moral values in practice, proposed to include the family in the list of the subjects of legal relations, i.e. those who are endowed with rights and responsibilities. Despite numerous measures of state support for families, only individual family members become legal recipients of such support, which in some cases distorts the goals of support measures and reduces their effectiveness. 

    The conference participants: 

    • discussed the results of the research conducted by the consortium participants to develop the definitions that would reveal the content of traditional values
    • identified some regulatory legal acts that required adjustment to achieve the goals stated in Executive Order of the President of Russia No 400 dated 2 July 2021 and Executive Order No 809 dated 9 November 2022, and discussed ways to improve them
    • gave a public and professional assessment of the effectiveness of the implementation of state, regional and municipal programmes and projects in order to achieve the goals stated in the mentioned Executive Orders of the President of Russia; and 
    • developed recommendations aimed at implementing state policy to preserve and strengthen traditional values

    Participation of St Petersburg University in the 12th St Petersburg International Legal Forum. The 14th International Youth Legal Forum 

    From 26 to 28 June, St Petersburg University took part in the 12th St Petersburg International Legal Forum. It serves as the major platform to discuss the development of modern legal science and modernisation of the Russian legal system. This year’s main theme is "Law: the foundation of global balance". Traditionally, experts and speakers at St Petersburg University took part in the main event in the world of law and law-making. 

    At the round table "Legal protection of Russia’s national interests in a world order undergoing transformation", moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University Sergei Belov, the participants discussed how in the current realities, with the help of law and the potential of the law enforcement system, it is possible to counter new global threats and challenges to ensure the fulfilment of the needs of people, society and the state to ensure safe and sustainable development. The discussion brought together Deputy Chairperson of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Irina Yarovaya; Chairman of the Committee of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on Constitutional Legislation and State Building Andrey Klishas; and other well-known legal scholars. 

    The round table Punishment before sentencing: is there an alternative to detention?’ discussed how to ensure a balance between the interests of the investigation and human rights. The discussion looked for answers to the questions: how are preventive measures regulated in foreign legislation and what factors influence the choice of detention as such a measure. The round table also featured the Head of the Geopolitical Observatory for Russia’s Key Issues (the G.O.R.K.I. Centre) at St Petersburg University, ex-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Austria Karin Kneissl. She also attended the discussion "Abolition of law in Western countries". 

    According to researchers from St Petersburg University, in the context of the modern international situation, determining the content of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values and their promotion is the key to ensuring the security and sovereignty of the Russian state. The St Petersburg International Legal Forum had the session "Legal protection of traditional values: us and them", which discussed the search for legal instruments to protect them and shared opinions on what significance they had for Russia today. 

    Speaking at the session, the Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev said: despite the fact that laws are already being adopted and the Government’s plans related to the implementation of the Executive Order on spiritual and moral values are being approved, legislators and law enforcers, and citizens who legal regulations concern may understand them differently, which can cause difficulties in the process of both legislative activity and law enforcement. He emphasised that this is the reason why their unified regulatory consolidation is important. To this end, within the framework of the instructions from the President and Government of the Russian Federation, work is underway to create an explanatory dictionary of the state Russian language. It should contain the definitions of the basic concepts of traditional values, prepared as part of the activities of the consortium of universities organised by St Petersburg University. The participants are analysing the current legislation for compliance with the traditional values. 

    The Rector also dwelled in detail on the proposal of Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University Sergei Belov, who the day before at the All-Russian scientific and practical conference "Traditional values in Russian law" proposed to include family in the list of the subjects of legal relations, i.e. those who are entitled rights and responsibilities. Nikolay Kropachev supported this proposal and provided additional justifications of this proposal. The Rector of the Russian Orthodox University of St John the Divine, Deputy Head of the World Russian People’s Council, Aleksandr Shchipkov unequivocally supported this proposal. He noted that the proposal to give the family the status of a legal entity is extremely revolutionary. It has a theological basis. Two years ago, speaking at the World Russian People’s Council, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill said that society consists not of individuals, but of families. If we adhere to this view, the family really needs to be given a special legal status and made a subject of law. 

    The University staff took an active part in the work of other sections of the forum. The leading experts examined the prospects for the digital transformation of justice, shared their experience in implementing innovative solutions and tried to trace the path to modernisation of the legal system through the prism of technology during the round table "Digital justice: a step into the future". One of the speakers was Director of the Centre for Research on Information Security and Digital Transformation at St Petersburg University Vladislav Arkhipov. He also took part in the sessions "Stolen identity: legal aspects related to the regulation of deepfakes and voice imitation" and "Platform-based work in the digital economy: legal issues related to regulation (federal law on aggregators)". 

    Representatives of business, Russia’s and foreign legal associations and leading law universities in Russia held a discussion on the topic "Law of the East: do we know it?". The experts discussed the specifics of working with the jurisdictions of China, Vietnam, Korea, Malaysia, India, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab countries. They also talked about the importance of knowing the cultural context and language in building international business and training specialists in the law of Eastern and Asian countries. Associate Professor of St Petersburg University, Academic Director of the bachelor’s programme "Laws (with Advanced Study of the Chinese Language and the Law of the PRC)" Aleksandr Alekseenko spoke about how the University prepares specialists in the field of Chinese law. 

    The 14th International Youth Legal Forum took place within the framework of the St Petersburg International Legal Forum, which brought together students, young lawyers, lecturers, mentors, and representatives of public authorities, the scientific community, business of the Russian Federation and foreign countries. More than 30 sections were organised. The main events were held at St Petersburg University, other universities in the city, and the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg. At the St Petersburg International Legal Forum, there was an individual stand of St Petersburg University. Visitors were able to get acquainted with one of the most important projects of St Petersburg University in the field of law, i.e. "Monitoring law enforcement". They also learned about the work of the Centre for Research on Information Security and Digital Transformation, the Interdisciplinary Centre for Research on Supervision Activities at St Petersburg University, and the Research Institute for State Language Problems. Representatives of St Petersburg University told the forum participants about the activities of the St Petersburg University Legal Clinic, clinical approach in education and the interaction of St Petersburg University with employers. 

    A selection of videos with a presentation of the degree and non-degree programmes at St Petersburg University and online courses in law was recorded especially for the forum. It could be viewed on the interactive panel and downloaded if desired. The guests could take an online tour of the University building on 7, 22nd Line of Vasilyevsky Island, where leading Russian lawyers studied and taught. They could also purchase legal literature from the St Petersburg University Publishing House. There was a presentation of three new books by the St Petersburg University Publishing House. Among them are the following: "Monitoring law enforcement 2022 2023: proceedings of St Petersburg University experts"; "Law of the People’s Republic of China: theoretical and legal aspects"; and "The three realms of law: validity, efficacy, legitimacy". 

    The legal department at the M. Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University has prepared exhibitions of rare archival documents and books for the anniversary of two outstanding Russian lawyers: the 180th anniversary of Anatoly Koni, who was a judge, statesman and public figure; and the 120th anniversary of Mikhail Shargorodskii, who was a Soviet legal scholar, specialist in the field of criminal law and criminology. The stand had also an exhibition dedicated to famous lawyers who are graduates of the University. 

    Books from the St Petersburg University Publishing House were very popular at the stand among the forum participants: literature on law, in particular "Strategy of judicial interpretation and principles of law" edited by Elena Timoshina; "Legal regulation of transnational relations" (by Liudmila Galenskaia); "Legislation on the state language in Russian judicial practice", scientific editors Sergei Belov, Nikolay Kropachev, Mikhail Revazov; "State language in Russia: norms of law and language norms" edited by Sergei Belov, Nikolay Kropachev; "Protest behaviour of young people: causes and prevention" (scientific editors Nikolay Kropachev, Alla Shaboltas); and other scientific literature in the field of regulation of the sphere of education in the Russian Federation. Copies of publications on legal literature and history of St Petersburg University were donated to the libraries of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, the Federal Notary Chamber, the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation. 

    St Petersburg University held the conference ‘Scientific school of criminal procedure and forensic science’. This year the conference was dedicated to the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the University and to outstanding University scholars. It also discussed the issues relating to modern criminal justice. The conference brought together the Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev; Chairman of the St Petersburg Committee for Justice, Legal Order, and Safety Andrei Golombievskii; President of the Bar of the Leningrad Region Denis Laktionov; scientists; and lecturers. In total, there were more than 200 people from Russia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and the Republic of Iraq. 

    As part of the St Petersburg International Legal Forum, a number of cooperation agreements were signed between St Petersburg University and large government agencies, companies, universities, and regional governments. 

    • St Petersburg University will continue to work to promote the development of Russian notaries and examinations commissioned by notaries. At the St Petersburg International Legal Forum 2024, the agreement on cooperation was signed by the President of the Federal Chamber of Notaries Konstantin Korsik; Director of the public fund "Centre for Notarial Research" Ekaterina Badulina; and Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev. As part of the cooperation, the parties agreed to organise and conduct joint research on the most pressing legal issues, including those affecting the development and current activities of the Russian notary. One of the areas of cooperation will be to identify vulnerable provisions in legislation that could be used by criminals, for example, to deprive citizens of housing or money by fraudulent means
    • St Petersburg University and the Republic of Karelia will pay attention to the development of the culture of the region and the implementation of innovative projects. The head of the Republic of Karelia, a graduate of St Petersburg University Artur Parfenchikov and Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev agreed on this project during the St Petersburg International Legal Forum. As part of the new agreement, it is planned to organise practices and internships for St Petersburg University students in executive bodies, local governments, and enterprises of the Republic of Karelia
    • During the St Petersburg International Legal Forum, St Petersburg University and the State Labour Inspectorate agreed to cooperate. The document was signed by Head of the State Labour Inspectorate, Chief State Labour Inspector in St Petersburg, Igor Beliaev, and Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev. The agreement involves the development and implementation of joint academic programmes aimed at training highly qualified personnel in the field of labour protection and safety
    • At the St Petersburg International Legal Forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between St Petersburg University and the Russian Orthodox University of St John the Divine, one of the leading universities in Russia that trains specialists in secular professional fields, rooted in the spiritual tradition of the Russian Orthodox Church. They are planning to cooperate in the field of improving the quality of scientific and educational activities, and protecting traditional Russian spiritual and moral values

    Opening of a commemorative plaque to Professor Nikolai Alekseev 

    On 29 June, there was a ceremony of opening a commemorative plaque in honour of Nikolai Alekseev, a famous scholar, Professor, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Leningrad State University. It took place on Vasilyevsky Island in St Petersburg. The commemorative plaque is placed on the façade of the house where the scholar lived with his family. 

    The ceremony brought together: the Professor’s daughter Elena Alekseeva; Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Nikolay Kropachev; Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University Sergei Belov; students of Nikolai Alekseev; and lecturers and students at St Petersburg University. 

    Opening the ceremony, Nikolay Kropachev noted that we could list Nikolai Alekseev’s titles for a long time. For 30 years, he headed the Department of Criminal Procedure and Criminology at Leningrad State University, was unanimously elected Dean of the Faculty of Law at Leningrad State University four times, and was the editor of the all-Union journal ‘Pravovedenie’. Everyone who knew Professor Alekseev spoke briefly about him. According to the recollections of students and colleagues, the Professor enjoyed enormous authority, and this authority was recognised by everyone without exception. 

    Organisation of the teaching and learning process 

    Over the past week, 21 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to preparation of various documents. 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 and final assessment are held in due order according to the timetable. 

    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 Institute of Medicine; the Institute of Philosophy; the Faculty of Philology; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology.

    The federal project "University sessions" at St Petersburg University 

    For the second year, St Petersburg University has been taking part in the implementation of the federal project "University sessions", where schoolchildren from new constituent entities of the Russian Federation can get acquainted with Russian higher educational institutions. The project is being implemented by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, and the Russian Movement of Children and Youth (Movement of the First). The University is participating in the implementation of the project on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation. 

    The university session at St Petersburg University this year was implemented in the format of an additional general education programme "Multidisciplinary intellectual development" at the special scientific and educational centre ‘Academic Gymnasium named after Dmitry Faddeev at St Petersburg University’. The university session at the Academic Gymnasium enabled the children not only to get acquainted with the University science, but also to make friends with the students of the gymnasium, i.e. their peers from different parts of our Motherland. 

    On the last day of the session, the participants of the project "University session" prepared a presentation in which they talked about how their university session went, what they learned, and shared their impressions. During the session, students got acquainted with the University, visited University museums, took a walking tour of St Petersburg, visited the Peter and Paul Fortress and the cruiser Aurora, and visited the museums of Peterhof, Pushkin, Gatchina, and Kronstadt. (The story of the St Petersburg University MOST TV channel about the opening of the "University session"). 

    Cultural events in July 

    Elena Lebedkina, Head of the Main Department for Exhibitions, Museum, Library and Publishing Activities at ST Petersburg University, presented a digest of cultural events at the University in July. 

    Online exhibition "Telephone. 20 years of peace. 1918—1938" 

    On 1 July, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University and the State Literary Museum ‘20th Century’ opened the online exhibition ‘Telephone. 20 years of peace. 1918—1938’. Exhibits from private collections tell about the development of the industry in St Petersburg in the first 20 years of the Soviet Union. 

    Opening of the exhibition "Anya in Wonderland" 

    On 6 July, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum opens the exhibition "Anya in Wonderland". The phantasmagoric exhibition brought together the works of more than 50 bright contemporary artists who touched the absurdist, fairy-tale world of Carroll. 

    Opening of the exhibition "Naval glory of Russia" 

    On 26 July, the M Gorky Scientific Library opens the exhibition "Naval glory of Russia". It features the publications on the history and current state of affairs of the Russia’s navy.