23 September 2024 Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

№ 609
dated 23.09.2024

    Meeting of students and Sergei Ivanov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University

    Sergei Ivanov, a graduate of St Petersburg University, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation on Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, met with students at the University, answered their questions and told them about his student years, studies and career. The meeting took place in the building at 11 Universitetskaya Embarkment. Sergei Ivanov studied at the Department of Translation at the Faculty of Philology at Leningrad State University. In 1975, he graduated from Leningrad State University named after A. A. Zhdanov. Sergei Ivanov recalled his teachers, the reviewer of his graduation project, phonetics classes in the palace of Peter II, where the Faculty of Philology is located, and a game of basketball in the gym of the Jeu de-Paume building. 

    Together with students from St Petersburg University, Sergei Ivanov discussed the topics of the environmental agenda in politics, waste recycling and sorting, environmental monitoring, transport development, Russia’s interaction with different countries in environmental protection issues, and the demand for philologists and experts in the African and Asian studies in the labour market today and in future. The presidential adviser noted that specialists with knowledge of Asian and African languages will be increasingly in demand in the coming years. Relations with the countries of the East, including in the field of transport and ecology, will actively develop. 

    Today, St Petersburg University offers programmes in more than 150 languages at the Faculty of Philology and the Faculty of Asian and African Studies. The programmes include not only an in-depth study of the language and literature, but also the culture, history, and economy of the countries where this or that language is official. During their studies, students are sent on exchange programmes to partner universities. Today, St Petersburg University partners include more than 600 foreign organisations and universities from 85 countries. The University offers more than 80 academic programmes with international accreditation and seven double-degree programmes with foreign universities.

    During his visit to St Petersburg University, Sergei Ivanov left a commemorative note in the University’s book of honoured guests and met for a business discussion with Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

    Forum of St Petersburg University Partners 

    St Petersburg University has held the international conference "Dialogue of rectors: artificial intelligence and transformation of the future of universities and higher education". The event was part of the Forum of St Petersburg University Partners. 

    The plenary session of the conference brought together the 5th President of Indonesia Megawati Sukarnoputri; Vladimir Starostenko, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Security at St Petersburg University; Han Jiecai, President of Harbin Institute of Technology; Hossein Harsij, President of the University of Isfahan; Nikita Anisimov, Rector of the National Research University Higher School of Economics; Zhanseit Tuimebayev, Chairman of the Board and Rector of Al-Farabi Kazakh National University; Ojat Darojat, Rector of Universitas Terbuka (Indonesia Open University); Gulchekhra Rikhsieva, Rector of Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies; and Ilkhomjon Tukhtasinov, Rector of Uzbekistan State World Languages University. The session was moderated by Vladislav Arkhipov, Director of the Centre for Research on Information Security and Digital Transformation at St Petersburg University. 

    The conference is set to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. The key objective of the "Dialogue of rectors" is to exchange experience and provide a sufficient number of representative examples to show the position on the use of AI in the teaching and learning process, which is necessary to develop a unified set of rules for the use of AI in education. 

    Opening the conference, Vladimir Starostenko, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Security at St Petersburg University, said that today AI is penetrating all types of activities, including education. This is the next stage in changing the information culture. Vladimir Starostenko also focused on the central task of the conference participants, i.e. to ensure exchange of best practices and discussion of the practice of using artificial intelligence in education and the teaching and learning process; artificial intelligence tools for education; issues of digital culture and resources for advanced training; and ethical standards, principles and risks of using artificial intelligence. 

    According to Vladislav Arkhipov, a session moderator, who summed up the results of the discussion, although university graduates must understand the importance of AI and, perhaps, even have additional qualifications as an AI specialist (including generative AI), they must be able to do their work with their own hands, head and heart. They must be able to do everything by their hands that they "delegate" to large generative models at work. Subsequently, in their professional life, they can use neural networks when required and in accordance with the norms of law and morality.

    Awarding employees of St Petersburg University 

    By Executive Order No 800 of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, the medal of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 2nd class was awarded to 

    • Dmitry Shkarupa, Director of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University, for his contribution to the development of healthcare and medical science and many years of conscientious work 

    for merits in scientific and pedagogical activity, training of qualified specialists and many years of conscientious work to: 

    • Sergei Belozerov, Head of the Department of Risk Management and Insurance 
    • Aleksei Zhabko. Head of the Department of Control Theory 
    • Elena Kustova, Dean of the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty, Head of the Department of Hydroaeromechanics 
    • Natalia Sheveleva, Head of the Department of Administrative and Financial Law

    Professor Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University, was awarded the international OGANESSON Prize for her outstanding contribution to the popularisation of scientific knowledge and the development of interdisciplinary research at the intersection of neurobiology, linguistics, and psychology. 

    Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University, is one of the leading specialists in the field of cognitive sciences, including psycholinguistics, neuropsychology, and neurophysiology. She is Professor of St Petersburg University and the author of more than 360 academic papers and numerous projects devoted to the study of cognitive and linguistic abilities, understanding the work of the human brain, and the influence of artificial intelligence on human activity.

    Rector of St Petersburg University meets the winners of the 31st International Mathematics Competition for University Students 2024 

    Professor Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, has held a meeting with the mathematicians who won the 31st International Mathematics Competition for University Students IMC 2024. These are Timofei Moskalenko, Matvei Isupov, Roman Kuznetsov, and Ivan Bakharev. Team coach Mikhail Ivanov, and Viktor Petrov, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science at St Petersburg University, also participated in the discussion. 

    St Petersburg University teams have won the International Mathematics Competition for the fifth time. The students emerged as leaders in the team competition in 2015, 2018, 2021, 2023, and 2024. In 2021, St Petersburg University became the only university in Russia to enter the top 10 in the competition. In 2022, two mathematicians from St Petersburg University won the individual competition, solving all the proposed problems and gaining the maximum score. In 2024, the St Petersburg University team, led by doctoral student Mikhail Ivanov, included five students who are studying in the bachelor’s programmes "Mathematics" and "Data Science". 

    Nikolay Kropachev congratulated the students on their victory and highlighted that success in international competitions enhances the prestige and reputation of the University. Each victory not only elevates the University’s standing but also attracts the attention of potential employers and prospective students. St Petersburg University is committed to supporting the success of its students by providing all necessary conditions for the continuation of their scientific and academic pursuits. 

    Answering the students’ questions, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, spoke about the changes that have recently taken place at St Petersburg University. For example, more than a million publications have been returned to the bookshelves, and fundamental changes have been carried out. Those include the computerisation of all technological processes of library work, which has ensured uninterrupted access for users to scientific and educational information. St Petersburg University adheres to the policy of openness in all areas of its activity. All information about competitions, grants, research teams, admission exams, decisions, and documents is published on the St Petersburg University portal, and anyone interested can access it. 

    Professor Kropachev suggested that students consider ways to improve the operation of St Petersburg University. He also asked students to think about the desired forms of encouragement for those who have achieved high results and about ways to increase the motivation of all students to participate actively in prestigious competitions and win them. The champions shared their experiences of participating in the competitions and discussed the training systems, as well as the schools they attended. During the meeting, Nikolay Kropachev called: Marina Ilina, Director of the Ganzeiskaia Ladia Lyceum in Kaliningrad, where Timofei Moskalenko had studied; and Olga Kalimulina, Teacher of mathematics at Lyceum No 41 in Izhevsk, where Matvei Isupov had studied. The Rector expressed gratitude to the teachers and administration for the excellent training of school leavers who became winners of the International Mathematics Competition 2024. 

    Nikolay Kropachev urged the interlocutors to take more active advantage of the University’s opportunities, participate in competitions for scholarships and trips, and engage in the annual contest of student innovative interdisciplinary projects "SPbU Start-up". He also noted that there are numerous ways to obtain reliable information and feedback at the University. In addition to the materials and information posted on the St Petersburg University portal, which has been operational since 2010, there is a Virtual Reception, where responses can be obtained from a competent employee. Since 2012, directors and deans have been meeting with representatives of student councils every week to hear their opinions. The heads of groups and trade union leadership are also invited to these meetings. 

    Professor Nikolay Kropachev spoke about the results achieved by the University lecturers and students in collectively addressing the challenges the University faces (The University’s own academic degrees: the past and the present; Past and present: from inter-faculty programmes to interdisciplinary ones; Steps to open admissions; A book clinic). The Rector proposed that the winners of the competition actively contribute to the development of St Petersburg University, for instance, by taking the initiative to organise additional classes in mathematics at the Faddeev Academic Gymnasium at St Petersburg University. In his opinion, such classes with school students will help ensure that the mathematics and mathematical physics classes at the gymnasium become the best in Russia. 

    At the end of the meeting, the winners were awarded commemorative silver coins marking the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University.

    International activities 

    The following events have been held recently. 

    Events with the participation of the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri 

    On 16 September, a meeting was held between Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri, the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia. During the meeting, an agreement was reached on signing a direct cooperation agreement and a roadmap between St Petersburg University and the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Initiatives for the implementation and development of academic programmes with an Indonesian component in the field of IT, medicine, law and economics were discussed in detail. An agreement was also reached on working out the issue of opening a representative office of St Petersburg University and the subsequent opening of a joint university in the Republic of Indonesia. 

    On the same day, Ms Megawati Sukarnoputri gave an open lecture at St Petersburg University. It focused on the development of the Russian-Indonesian diplomatic relations (the daughter of the first President of Indonesia, Sukarno, led the country from 2001 to 2004). In 2025, the 75th anniversary of the beginning of diplomatic relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of Indonesia is celebrated. The lecture also included a story about two topics dedicated to higher education: "Artificial Intelligence and Man", "Issues in Geopolitics and Pancasila". The concept of "Pancasila" ("Five Principles") was put forward in 1945 by the first president of Indonesia Sukarno as the main postulates of the structure of the Republic of Indonesia. 

    Visit of the delegation of the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates to St Petersburg University 

    The delegation of the Ministry of Education of the United Arab Emirates visited St Petersburg University. The delegation was headed by Mohammed Al Qasim, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education. During the meeting, the parties discussed issues in developing cooperation in the areas of training qualified personnel, improving the professional level of teachers, creating a joint university in the UAE, and organising joint Olympiads in history and engineering. 

    Welcoming the guests, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, expressed his readiness to establish cooperation and emphasised St Petersburg University’s desire to develop partnerships with eastern countries in the field of science and education. 

    During the meeting, His Excellency Mohammed Al-Qasim announced the desire of the UAE leadership to improve the qualifications of the teaching staff. In this regard, he that the Rector of St Petersburg University explore opportunities for joint projects aimed at sharing educators’ experience and expertise; developing academic exchange programmes; and delivering educational lectures in UAE academic institutions. Mohammed Al Qasim, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education, put forward initiatives to develop academic programmes for training teachers for secondary schools and to open a joint university in the UAE based on an industrial partner. 

    Visit of the delegation from Harbin Institute of Technology to St Petersburg University

    On 17 September, the delegation from Harbin Institute of Technology (the People’s Republic of China) visited St Petersburg University. During the meeting, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Academician Han Jiecai, President of Harbin Institute of Technology, discussed issues in expanding the list of academic programmes and attracting international students to study at the Russian-Chinese joint campus of Harbin Institute of Technology to name just a few. 

    Visit of the delegation from the China University of Geosciences to St Petersburg University 

    On 17 September, the delegation from the China University of Geosciences (the People’s Republic of China) visited St Petersburg University. The issues in interaction between organisations in the following areas were discussed: gemmology; Chinese culture and language, economics and management; and approaches to developing academic programmes in a network format, and implementing academic exchanges to name just a few. 

    Event at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain 

    On 19 September, St Petersburg University and its Representative Office in the Kingdom of Spain held the online lecture ‘The future of digital media and the labour market’ by Kamilla Nigmatullina, Head of the Department of Digital Media Communications at St Petersburg University.

    Organisation of the teaching and learning process 

    Over the past week, 36 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. Classes are held in due order according to the timetable. 

    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 Journalism and Mass Communication; the Institute of Medicine; the Institute of Philosophy; the Institute of Chemistry; the School of International Relations; the Faculty of Sociology; the Faculty of Physics; the Faculty of Philology; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology. 

    Establishment of personal scholarships of the Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children of Donbass 

    At the initiative of the Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children of Donbass and following paragraph 87 of the Charter of St Petersburg University, eight targeted personal scholarships of the Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children of Donbass have been established for St Petersburg University students in bachelor’s, specialist’s, master’s programmes, who are registered in the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Kherson Region, the Zaporozhye Region and (or) completed the main academic programmes of secondary general education in the territory of the specified subjects of the Russian Federation (Order No 12268/1 of St Petersburg University dated 16 September 2024). The Charitable Foundation for Assistance to Children of Donbass was created by the joint-stock bank "Russia" to ensure social support for students from the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye Region, the Kherson Region at St Petersburg University and provide the regional economies of the specified subjects of the Russian Federation with highly qualified personnel. 

    The scholarship amount is 40,000 roubles per month for each (regardless of whether the scholarship recipient studies on a government-funded basis or on a fee-paying basis). St Petersburg University students are awarded scholarships upon successful completion of the competitive selection and upon signing a contract for employer-sponsored education in the areas and specialties required for the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Kherson Region, and the Zaporozhye Region. Applications are accepted until 15 October.

    Foreign states and territories implementing policies that impose destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes that contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values

    In accordance with paragraph 2 of Executive Order No 702 "On Providing Humanitarian Support to Individuals Sharing Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values" of the President of the Russian Federation dated 19 August 2024, Order No 2560-r of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 17 September 2024 approved a list of foreign states and territories implementing policies that impose destructive neoliberal ideological attitudes that contradict traditional Russian spiritual and moral values. 

    Termination of cooperation between the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and Russian specialists 

    The European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) will end its collaboration with hundreds of specialists who are linked to any Russian organisation at the end of autumn 2024. This includes approximately 500 scientists who do not live in Switzerland. 

    CERN is the world’s largest high-energy physics laboratory, located on the border of Switzerland and France, near Geneva. CERN has 23 member countries, and Russia is not one of them. In March 2022, after the start of the special military operation, the organisation stripped Russia of its observer status, and in the summer decided not to renew cooperation agreements with Moscow and Minsk after they expired in 2024. 

    As Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research at St Petersburg University, explained, the University scientists who previously worked at CERN are now working at mega-science facilities in Russia (in the NICA project in Dubna and others). 

    Ban on publications in Elsevier journals using the model Open Access / Supports Open Access 

    In order to maintain commitment to ethical standards in the scientific activities of St Petersburg University and to counteract the unfriendly policy of the Elsevier publishing house aimed at financial support for the Ukraine at the expense of Russian authors, taking into account the decisions of the interdepartmental working group of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation on updating the "White List" of scientific journals, authors from St Petersburg University are prohibited from publishing in journals published by Elsevier using the Open Access model. 

    Official accounts of St Petersburg University on social media 

    On 13 September 2024, Order No 12232/1 "On the operation of official accounts of St Petersburg University on social media" was issued. Its goal is to increase the effectiveness of pages and channels important for the brand of St Petersburg University on the VKontakte social media and the Telegram social media. 

    Approving the digital transformation strategy of St Petersburg University 

    The digital transformation strategy of St Petersburg University has been approved (Order No 12671/1 dated 23 September 2024). According to Vladimir Starostenko, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation and Information Security at St Petersburg University, the goal of the strategy is to achieve digital maturity, as stipulated by Executive Order No 309 "On the Development Goals of the Russian Federation Through 2030 and for the Future Until 2036" of the President of the Russian Federation dated 7 May 2024, and to implement the provisions of the St Petersburg University Strategic Plan for 2021 to 2030 , agreed upon by Order No 1069-r of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 26 April 2021 in the field of digitalisation of science and education. 

    Vladimir Starostenko listed the directions for implementing the strategy: 

    • development of a digital transformation base
    • digitalisation of educational activities
    • digitalisation of scientific and expert activities; and 
    • formation of digital culture and development of human resources

    Closing of the season in the Botanical Garden at St Petersburg University 

    The Botanical Garden at St Petersburg University hosted a ceremonial closing of the summer season as part of the University Seasons 2024 festival, which bridges art, design, and science in the context of popularising knowledge about nature. This year, declared the Year of St Petersburg University by the Governor of St Petersburg, the festival was dedicated to the 300th anniversary of the oldest university in Russia. 

    Addressing the guests, Elena Chernova, Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University, Academic Secretary of the University, emphasised that despite its 300-year history, St Petersburg University remains an innovative and modern scientific and educational centre capable of responding to current challenges and making a significant contribution to scientific developments. She noted the special role of St Petersburg University in supporting environmental initiatives and preserving biodiversity by searching for new approaches to sustainable development of the natural landscape and environmental protection methods. 

    In recent years, the Botanical Garden of the University has undergone significant changes: the infrastructure has been updated, new technologies have been introduced to improve plant care and increase their survival in various climatic conditions, and the diversity of the plant world has increased. The most important role in these processes belongs to Herman Gref, President and Chairman of the Board of Sberbank, a graduate of the University, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, by whose decision funds were allocated for the reconstruction of the Botanical Garden. The result of these changes was an increase in the interest of the University staff, students, and alumni and residents and guests of St Petersburg in the unique collections of the garden.