Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

The matriculation ceremony for first-year students 

This year, the matriculation ceremony for first-year students relocated to a new venue — the event took place near the Twelve Collegia building, alongside the monument to Sergey Uvarov, the Russian Empire’s Minister of National Education, erected to mark the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. 

Traditionally, St Petersburg University attracts some of the most talented students: in recent years, the average state examination score of applicants has been over 90 points. During the 2024 admissions campaign, we received around 113,000 applications for bachelor’s and specialist’s programmes, an increase of 7% compared to 2023. Only the best candidates were admitted to the first year: a total of over 5,100 students from 89 regions of Russia, with about 75% of those enrolled for government-funded places coming from outside St Petersburg. Additionally, this academic year St Petersburg University is welcoming some 2,230 international students from 106 countries at all levels of higher education, although the number of those wishing to study at the University was many times higher. In total, applications were received from prospective students from 140 countries. This year, more than 10,000 students were enrolled at the University, including representatives of all 89 subjects of the Russian Federation. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, congratulated the students on the start of the new academic year. He noted that the matriculation ceremony for first-year students brings together all new St Petersburg University students: not only those gathered in the Twelve Collegia building, but also those studying in overseas branches and those enrolled in the Online School of the University — a secondary education institution open to all those who do not have access to the Russian language curriculum in their home countries. 

The first-year students were congratulated by Aleksei Korabelnikov, Chairperson of the Board of the Endowment Fund ‘Development of St Petersburg University’, Vice-Governor of St Petersburg. The first-year students were also addressed by Vadim Leontev, Deputy Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District; Eduardo Villegas Mejias, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United Mexican States to the Russian Federation; and Luo Zhanhui, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in St Petersburg. 

With a welcoming speech from the alumni, the floor was taken by: Aleksandr Malich, General Manager of the National Drama Theatre of Russia (Alexandrinsky Theatre); and Irina Timofeeva, Member of the Coordinating Council for Youth Affairs in Science and Education of the Presidential Council of the Russian Federation for Science and Education, winner of the Russian President’s Prize in Science and Innovation for Young Scientists for 2022, Professor of the Institute of Chemistry at St Petersburg University. The following guests came to congratulate the students on this special day: Issa Togo, Honorary Consul of Mali in St Petersburg; Zhaslan Esmukhanov, Third Secretary of the Consulate General of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Russian Federation; Maksim Pratusevich, Director of Presidential Physics and Mathematics Lyceum No 239; and Petr Mukhin, Senior Priest of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul at St Petersburg University. Foreign students studying at St Petersburg University’s international branches in Uzbekistan, China and Egypt also congratulated the first-year students via video link. 

The Rector of the University announced the beginning of the new academic year and gave the command to fly three flags: the flag of Russia; the flag of St Petersburg; and the flag of St Petersburg University. The flags were raised by: Andrei Iordan, Chairman of the Student Council of St Petersburg University; Varvara Kirzhaeva, Head of the St Petersburg University students’ team headquarters; and Karina Muratbekova, Chairperson of the Volunteering Centre Council "Dobro.Centre at St Petersburg University". The St Petersburg University Choir directed by Edward Krotman performed the ancient student "Gaudeamus Igitur" hymn. 

Nikolay Kropachev and the guests of the ceremony presented student cards to the first-year students with the best results in the entrance exams. The best new students this year were the winners of the International Mathematics Olympiad — 2024, Egor Saprunov and Mikhail Iugov (Mathematics and Computer Science); an awardee of the All-Russian School Olympiad in Chinese, Igor Li (International Relations’); and Ekaterina Tomina (Philology) and Angelina Fomchenkova (Law), who scored 300 points in this year’s Unified State Examination. Together with other new students at the University, they read the oath to become part of the brotherhood of St Petersburg University. 

At the Student Fair, which opened on Mendeleevskaya Line, first-year students could get acquainted with university life, learn about the activities of the University’s sports clubs, volunteering centre and numerous creative teams, and join their favourites right away. Additionally, free guided tours around the University were organised for first-year students of St Petersburg University, during which they visited the Dmitri Mendeleev Museum and Archives, the Modern Sculpture Park, walked through the courtyards of St Petersburg University and the corridor of the Twelve Collegia building. The guests of the celebration could also send postcards, which were published in a limited edition especially for the matriculation ceremony for first-year students of St Petersburg University and delivered free of charge to every corner of the country by Russian Post. In total, more than 700 postcards were sent. 

The events continued with the ceremony of setting the ships of hope afloat, during which the University students and staff could send their paper ships with hopes for the future into the Neva River. Everyone who wished could also do this in an online format and share the event with their friends on social media. The holiday ended with a yacht parade in the Neva River. This year, the honour of boarding them was given to Matvei Isupov and Timofei Moskalenko, winners of the 31st International Mathematics Competition for University Students IMC-2024 (Celebrating 300 years of excellence: over 10,000 first-year students begin their academic journey at St Petersburg University).

Ceremonial events on the occasion of the consecration of the University Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ and on the conferring of the title of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University on the Patriarch 

On 10 September, in the year of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ visited the University and consecrated the newly restored Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The University Church was originally established for the University staff and students in the 1830s within the Twelve Collegia building. St Petersburg University also held a ceremony to present His Holiness Patriarch Kirill with the University insignia, commemorating his conferment of the title of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University (the title of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University). 

During his visit to St Petersburg University, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ presented Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, with one of the highest awards of the Russian Orthodox Church. By decree of His Holiness the Patriarch, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, was awarded the Order of Saint Blessed Grand Prince Alexander Nevsky, 3rd class, in recognition of his help in restoring the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul at St Petersburg University and in connection with his 65th birthday. 

During the ceremony in the Assembly Hall, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the University Board of Trustees, presented Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of the University, with the Order of Merit to the Fatherland, 2nd class, for his outstanding contributions to academic and research endeavours, his dedication to training qualified specialists, and his many years of conscientious service. 

During the Patriarchal visit to St Petersburg University, His Holiness consecrated the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, designed by Apollon Shchedrin, one of the most renowned architects of the first half of the 19th century. The service was attended by: Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Konstantin Chuychenko, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Aleksandr Gutsan, Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Northwestern Federal District; Alexander Drozdenko, Governor of the Leningrad Region, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Gennady Krasnikov, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Andrey Murov, First Deputy General Director of Rosseti PJSC, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Aleksei Demidov, Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, Rector of St Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design; Gennady Bogomazov, Chair of the Collegium of Honorary Professors at St Petersburg University; and other honourable guests. 

Metropolitan Barsanuphius of St Petersburg and Ladoga; Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk and Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate; and Metropolitan Nikandr of Naro-Fominsk led the prayers during the service. His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’ presented the University with commemorative medals dedicated to the 15th anniversary of the Patriarchal enthronement and a collection of his works, which will enrich the collection of the M Gorky Scientific Library of St Petersburg University. 

His Holiness gifted an image of Christ the Saviour to the University Church and consecrated the historic street cross, which is to be installed above the front entrance of the Twelve Collegia building. Dmitry Medvedev donated an icon of Righteous John of Kronstadt to the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. 

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, remarked that the University Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul was established in 1837 during the reconstruction of the Twelve Collegia building to serve the University’s needs. This architectural monument from the early 19th century was partially restored to its historical appearance following a restoration project from 1977 to 1983. The Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul counted many distinguished University scholars among its parishioners, including: renowned chemist Dmitri Mendeleev; Nobel Prize winners — physiologist Ivan Pavlov and biologist Ilya Mechnikov; as well as lecturers and students of St Petersburg University. The poet Alexander Blok was baptised at the University Church, and his formal betrothal to Liubov Mendeleeva, the daughter of the famous chemist, took place here. 

In the year of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, with the generous support of Gazprom PJSC and its Management Committee Chairman, Alexey Miller, the University Church’s interior underwent architectural and artistic restoration. The original paintings were carefully restored, and a new iconostasis and icon stands were crafted. For the Church, a new altar table with a reliquary, an altar cross with a crucifix, a tabernacle, a deacon’s candle holder, an altar seven-light candelabrum, and other church supplies were specially commissioned. Additional support was provided by Andrey Molchanov, Member of the Board of Trustees and graduate of St Petersburg University, and the founder of LSR Group.

The University’s staff and students take part in the procession to mark the 300th anniversary of the transfer of the relics of St Prince Alexander Nevsky from Vladimir to St Petersburg 

Exactly three centuries ago, on this day, 12 September 1724, the relics of St Prince Alexander Nevsky, the heavenly patron saint of the Northern Capital of Russia and protector of the Russian army, were brought to St Petersburg by order of Peter the Great. The procession in honour of this event has been held every year since 1743; the tradition, interrupted during the Soviet era, was resumed in 2013. This year, the procession was led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University. 

Members of the Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church — Metropolitan Gregory of Voskresensk and Chancellor of the Moscow Patriarchate, and Metropolitan Nikandr of Naro-Fominsk, Chairman of the Finance and Economic Administration of the Moscow Patriarchate — took part in the service at the Kazan Cathedral to mark the ceremonial event. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Chairman of the Association of Leading Universities, Chairman of the Council of Rectors of the Northwestern Federal District, Member of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations under the President of the Russian Federation, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, prayed at the service. 

A column of thousands of residents of St Petersburg, including representatives of many of the city’s universities, took the traditional route along Nevsky Prospekt to the Holy Trinity Alexander Nevsky Lavra. The participants in the procession in the jubilee year were more than 50 members of the University’s staff and students, among whom were students of different fields of study: theology, history, philosophy, political science, law, management, Asian and African studies, and others. 

Metropolitan Grigory of Voskresensk, Metropolitan Nikandr of Naro-Fominsk and Nikolay Kropachev led the procession all the way. After joining the counter-procession in Alexander Nevsky Square led by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Rus’, who delivered the shrine containing the relics of St Petersburg’s patron saint, they joined the honoured participants in the final stage of the ceremony. 

Those gathered in Alexander Nevsky Square listened to the primatial word of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, and the addresses of other guests of honour. The celebrations ended with the departure of the guard of honour and the solemn return of the shrine with the relics of the Holy Prince to the Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra (Rector of St Petersburg University and the University’s staff and students take part in the celebrations of the 300th anniversary of the transfer of the relics of Alexander Nevsky to St Petersburg).

St Petersburg University holds Alumni Day 

On 7 September, St Petersburg University hosted a gala meeting of alumni of St Petersburg University to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Russia’s oldest university. It brought together graduates in all areas of study and specialties from different regions of Russia, the CIS and far abroad. The event was held in the Twelve Collegia building. The graduates had an opportunity to meet with their friends, exchange news, develop new business and personal contacts and take part in the educational programme of the event. 

Welcoming the graduates, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, said that St Petersburg University is one of the leading universities both in Russia and abroad: the University is home to over 10,000 employees and more than 30,000 students, including foreign citizens from 140 countries. The University offers more than 500 academic programmes to prepare high-calibre personnel in various fields. 

The Rector focused on the enormous scientific and educational potential and achievements of St Petersburg University. He also shed light on the rapidly developing active international activities. Over the past five years, the University has expanded the number of academic programmes with a Chinese component from 46 to 91 programmes. 

Nikolay Kropachev also presented the successes of St Petersburg University in the field of online education. The University is the leader of the national platform "Open Education" both in the number of courses and programmes and in the number of students. It is also the first Russian university to sign an agreement with the largest Chinese national online educational platform XuetangX. What is more is that the University is the only Russian partner of the Indonesia Cyber Education Institute (ICE Institute). 

The meeting featured a discussion with a specific focus on former students, doctoral students and employees united by the proud name of St Petersburg University. Nikolay Kropachev appealed to the graduates to: take an even more active part in the life of the University, using the opportunities of the councils of academic programmes, scientific and teaching methodology committees; and take part in the work of the State Assessment Committee to name just a few. The discussion brought together University graduates from different years. Among them were the following: Anna Mitianina, Commissioner for Children’s Rights in St Petersburg; Kairat Sarybay, Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia; Elena Borisenko, Deputy Chairperson of the Management Board of Gazprombank; and Dmitriy Poltorak, General Director of Lartech. 

During the discussion, experts and guests of the event expressed their own ideas about how they could define St Petersburg University. According to the voting results, 62% of the guests associate the University with classical education, 47% of the votes are given to the option "research centre", and in third place (15 % of the votes) is the answer "source of personnel", on a par with the options "business partner" and "centre for expert advice". 

Alumni Day also held a meeting with Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University. The meeting was in the format of a conversation between Tatiana Chernigovskaya and Roman Gerasimov, a graduate of St Petersburg University and TV presenter. Tatiana Chernigovskaya spoke about the brain as the most complex connection in the Universe. She also shed light on the need to train our brain to ensure that it works well. The participants also focused on modern teenagers’ tendency to multitasking, namely their ability to undertake various activities in the same time period. It is extremely important to develop yourself and your existing abilities, since the brain and personality are inextricably linked, said Professor of St Petersburg University. 

As part of the celebration of Alumni Day, the University held business sessions, popular science lectures, workshops, excursions and introductions to the collections of St Petersburg University museums, and concerts. Throughout the week after the ceremonial event, the academic and research subdivisions held meetings of educators and graduates of different years. 

In September-October, there will be open reunions of alumni of academic and research subdivisions.

Representatives of St Petersburg University take part in the Eastern Economic Forum 

St Petersburg University and Transbaikal State University will develop joint academic programmes in engineering. The relevant document was signed by Oksana Martynenko, Rector of Transbaikal State University, and Sergey Andryushin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at St Petersburg University, at the Eastern Economic Forum. 

The agreement includes joint research aimed at developing and implementing the best practices of advanced engineering schools for training and retraining specialists at the Advanced Engineering School ‘Interdisciplinary Research, Technologies and Business Processes for the Mineral Resources and Raw Materials Sector of Russia’ at St Petersburg University and the School of Mining at Transbaikal State University. Today, at the Advanced Engineering School of St Petersburg University, many studies are being conducted to develop high-tech solutions in the interests of scientific, technological and economic development of Russia. 

Zabaykalsky Krai is one of the leading mining regions of the country in terms of the volume of explored mineral reserves. The research and developments of the Advanced Engineering School at St Petersburg University will increase the efficiency of extraction of mineral resources at Zabaykalsky Krai. St Petersburg University scientists have recently developed a method that increases the efficiency of hydrocarbon extraction, a technology for obtaining hydrogen from natural gas in laser plasma, and a method for geochemical division of oil by layers. Today, the St Petersburg University Advanced Engineering School offers the non-degree programme "Economics of Engineering in the Oil and Gas Industry". Students learn not only economics, but also geology and digital technologies, which are necessary in the oil and gas industry.

International activities 

Events at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain 

On 10 September, St Petersburg University and its Representative Office in the Kingdom of Spain held the online lecture "Einstein’s genius mistakes: in honour of 145th anniversary". The lecture was delivered by Anton Sheikin, Associate Professor in the Department of High Energy Physics and Elementary Particles at St Petersburg University. On 12 September, there was an online lecture on French literature delivered by Nina Shcherbak, Associate Professor in the Department of English Philology and Cultural Linguistics of St Petersburg University. 

Delegation from the Kingdom of Thailand visits St Petersburg University 

On 6 September, a delegation of Thai schoolchildren visited St Petersburg University. The visit was organised by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Thailand in the Russian Federation. The students were told about the peculiarities of admission and education of foreigners at the University. 

Ceremonial events dedicated to the awarding of the title "Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University" to the writer Liú Zhènyún 

Liú Zhènyún, an outstanding Chinese writer and a prominent representative of neo-realism, received the diploma and gown of an Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University at a ceremony held in the Petrovsky Hall of the Twelve Collegia building. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, noted that this event will help strengthen active cooperation with Chinese partners. The ceremony took place precisely in 2024, the year declared by the President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, a graduate of the University, as the Year of Culture between Russia and China. 

The author of famous novels has a long-standing partnership with the University. Liú Zhènyún already visited St Petersburg University in 2017 to hold a creative evening entitled "My Heroes and Me". Additionally, six novels published in Russian were translated by Oksana Rodionova, Associate Professor in the Department of Chinese Philology at St Petersburg University. The Chinese novelist is a graduate of Peking University, a partner of St Petersburg University. He also works as a professor at Renmin University of China in Beijing, with which the Centre for Chinese and Russian Studies was established. 

The ceremony was followed by a discussion at the 3rd Youth Forum "Culture Code — 2024", where Liú Zhènyún, together Professor Andrei Astvatsaturov, a Russian writer, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences at St Petersburg University, and Professor Alexey Rodionov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at the University, discussed how Russian readers perceive Chinese literature.

The Youth Forum "Culture Code — 2024" 

On 11 September, St Petersburg University held the Youth Forum "Culture Code — 2024". The forum was held for the third time. Its programme is expanding every year, the number of participants and events is growing. In November 2022, the St Petersburg International Cultural Forum was cancelled. However, St Petersburg University offered the Youth Forum "Culture Code", with 15 events being held. In November 2023 (on the eve of the first United Cultures Forum), the University already held 20 events. The programme of the Youth Forum ‘Culture Code — 2024’ included 25 events based on the selection of applications from the initiators: the Faculty of Arts, the Institute of History, the Faculty of Asian and African Studies, the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Economics, the Alumni Office, the Department of Exhibitions and Collections, DESIS Design Laboratory, the Centre for Artificial Intelligence, and St Petersburg University Linguistic Clinic. 

The participants in the Youth Forum ‘Culture Code — 2024’ were more than 1,100 students and schoolchildren of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. It also brought together delegates of volunteer, creative and scientific youth associations of Belgorod, Mariupol, Moscow and St Petersburg, sent by the management of their universities to participate in the forum. One of the innovations of this year is the expansion of the geography of the forum’s events, which provided participants with the opportunity to attend a variety of excursions, workshops, cultural events not only on the historical territory of the University (the building of the Twelve Collegia, the Palace of Peter II, the Bobrinsky Palace), but also at friendly external cultural and educational venues (the St Petersburg Museum of Theatre and Musical Art, the House of Journalists, and the Tsarskoye Selo Gymnasium of Arts named after Anna Akhmatova to name just a few). Not only the number of participants increased, but also the involvement of the target audience of the forum increased, which is especially valuable since this year the participation was in person. 

Thematically, the forum was in line with the ideas of the DNA of Russia Project. The architecture of the event was based on four main areas, each of which denoted one of the traditional values that are part of the structure of our "cultural DNA". In 2024, these areas were "Dignity", "Spirituality", "Creation", and "Unity". Such architecture ensures a clear substantive continuity of the forum programme, since each year it is possible to consider a certain set of elements of the cultural DNA, taking into account the current agenda in the programme and maintaining a single line of forums of past years. In 2024, along with issues of cultural sovereignty and comprehensive integration of new regions of Russia into a single cultural space of our country, the need for responsibility of professionals, i.e. creators of the "creative product", for the formation of a "perceiving person", who in the context of the modern cultural situation is also a "creating person", was widely discussed at the events and behind the scenes of the forum. Experts from St Petersburg University and guests of the forum spoke about strengthening cultural sovereignty, developing horizontal connections, interregional and international interaction in culture. 

Despite the difficult international situation, it was possible to preserve and strengthen the international authority of the forum. Both leading Russian and foreign cultural figures who are representatives of friendly states were invited to participate, which evoked a lively response from the youth audience. The public discussion "Russia and China: images of the future in literary creativity" brought together more than 300 people. The event involved Liú Zhènyún, Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University, Chinese novelist, and Andrei Astvatsaturov, Professor of St Petersburg University and Russian writer. This event confirmed the interest of young people in modern literature as an art form and underpins the importance of the participation of outstanding writers, literary figures, and masters of words in cultural events of a national scale organised by St Petersburg University. 

The historical theme also attracted great interest from young people. One of the key events of the area "Dignity" was a round table devoted to historical education in the media and ways to counteract the distortion of history. Konstantin Mogilevsky, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Chairman of the Russian Historical Society, answered questions from participants for more than an hour and, following the discussion, selected research initiatives of students in history to support their implementation. The area "Dignity" had a round table entitled "Cultural sovereignty: finding the future in the past?". It was under the auspices of the Russian Society "Znanie". It brought together outstanding participants, i.e. young cultural figures implementing large-scale creative projects that have already been supported by the state. The most pressing questions from the audience were answered by the forum experts: Petr Lundstrem, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Culture and Preservation of Spiritual Heritage of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation, violinist; Anton Tanonov, Chairman of the Union of Composers of St Petersburg, Professor of N.A. Rimsky-Korsakov St Petersburg State Conservatory; Veronika Tsibenko, Professor of Southern Federal University; and Alena Palazhchenko, Director of the Museum of Russian Music in Ankara. 

The key event of the area "Spirituality", dedicated to the moral foundations of creative education and upbringing, was attended by Elena Chernova, Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University, Chairperson of the Programme Committee of the Youth Forum "Culture Code — 2024", Doctor of Economics; Professor Ivan Uralov, Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Arts; and leading figures in the arts. Experts and guests of the forum, i.e. teachers and members of the Board of Trustees of the Tsarskoye Selo Gymnasium of Arts named after Anna Akhmatova, discussed the value framework of creative education at all levels, the formation of a worldview in the context of strengthening the historical and cultural identity in Russia, the post-Soviet space and the countries of the global South in the era of deglobalisation. 

For the prompt use of materials from the round tables and discussions of the main programme of the forum, an innovative service for automatic speech processing and business event recording, developed by students at St Petersburg University — winners of the contest "Student Start-up — 2024", was used for the first time. The forum became not only a platform for cultural dialogue between generations, but also an effective platform for the implementation of initiatives of talented youth. 

The cultural programme of the forum included 11 events and became an important event not only at the University, but also in St Petersburg. The evening concert programmes of the forum, dedicated to the Year of the Family and the Day of the patron saint of St Petersburg, St Alexander Nevsky, were held in the organ hall of the Tsarskoye Selo Gymnasium of Arts named after Anna Akhmatova and the House of Journalists. They brought together more than 200 people. The forum ended with a creative evening "For friends" prepared by Galina Zhukova, Deputy Chairperson of the Programme Committee of the Youth Forum, Associate Professor at St Petersburg University. It also brought together leading soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre, State Budgetary Institution of Culture "Petersburg-Concert", the Karelian State Philharmonic, students of Belgorod State Institute of Arts and Culture and artists of the international multicultural festival "Stars over Donbass". 

The circle of experts participating in the forum is also expanding every year. In 2024, there were 124 speakers at the forum events. We can say that the mutual interest of the expert community and young people in dialogue on current issues in national culture development is growing, as is their interest in the University as a gathering point and a meeting place for people of not only words, but also deeds, capable of solving the most pressing problems in the sphere of youth and cultural policy, creative education and enlightenment. The results of the forum and the feedback already received from this year’s participants confirmed the status of the Youth Forum "Culture Code" as one of the traditional, large-scale and important events that actively contributes to the achievement of the charter goals of St Petersburg University.

Organisation of the teaching and learning process 

Over the past week, 46 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. 

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 History; the Institute of Philosophy; the Faculty of Biology; the Faculty of Asian and African Studies; the Faculty of Foreign Languages; the School of International Relations; the Faculty of Physics; the Faculty of Philology; the Faculty of Economics; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology. 

The directors of institutes and deans of faculties were reminded that classrooms in all University buildings (more than 80 buildings are already in use) will be used for teaching (especially lectures for several groups of students). For example, biology students have classes in 19 buildings and philology students have classes in seven buildings.

Optimisation of the workload at the Institute of Chemistry 

Following the appeal of Director of the Institute of Chemistry Irina Balova to the Rector of St Petersburg University, the teaching methodology committee of the Institute of Chemistry conducted an analysis of the bachelor’s programmes in various areas of study, the disciplines within the framework of which are provided by the academic staff of the Institute of Chemistry. According to Irina Balova, based on the analysis, changes were initiated in the curricula, as a result of which it became possible to combine lecture streams for related academic programmes. The specifics of each academic programme were taken into account due to the different content and volume of seminars and laboratory work. 

In addition to reducing the volume of lecture load by more than 450 classroom hours, the analysis made it possible to optimise the composition of educators giving stream lectures, to use the freed up teaching resources in other academic programmes, which is especially important in the context of increasing the list of programmes that the Institute of Chemistry provides and the admission figures for some programmes, including academic programmes that are implemented in the Arab Republic of Egypt and the People’s Republic of China. For example, this approach made it possible not to allocate additional educators for lectures for the academic programme "Pharmacy" that was opened this year. 

Irina Balova emphasised that such a merger allows for more efficient use of the classroom fund, planning classes in rooms (Big Chemical Lecture Theatre and others) equipped for conducting chemical demonstration experiments. 

The list of the academic programmes whose curricula have been amended: 

• "Biology: Bioengineering Technologies" 
• "Biology"
• "Geography" (with additional qualification "Geography Teacher") 
• "Geology"
• "Hydrometeorology" 
• "Cartography and Geoinformatics"
• "General Medicine"
• "General Medicine" in English
• "Petroleum Engineering"
• "Soil Science"
• "Dental Medicine"
• "Dental Medicine" in English
• "Pharmacy"
• "Chemical Materials Science"
• "Chemistry"
• "Ecology and Nature Management"

Irina Balova noted that the potential for optimisation has not yet been exhausted. During the discussion, the participants in the Rector’s meeting discussed the advantages of such optimisation and the difficulties (methodological, organisational, personnel, technical) that arise during its implementation. 

Amendments to the University Student and Staff Code of Conduct 

At the meeting of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University on 27 August, amendments were made to the University Student and Staff Code of Conduct in order to bring it into line with Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation No 809 "On Approving the Fundamentals of State Policy to Preserve and Strengthen Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values" dated 9 November 2022. In the preamble to the code, the word "spiritual" was replaced with ‘traditional Russian spiritual and moral’. As a result, this paragraph is now worded as follows: 

"This University Student and Staff Code of Conduct has been developed in order to ensure the obligation of employees and students at St Petersburg University, as provided for by the Charter of St Petersburg University, to follow the moral and cultural traditions of the University, generally accepted moral, ethical and ethical standards, and to treat traditional Russian spiritual and moral values with care".

Organisation of sending St Petersburg University employees on business trips to implement scientific projects 

More than 400 grants of the Russian Science Foundation are implemented at St Petersburg University, the activity plan of which provides for testing of scientific results at various international events. Taking into account the current geopolitical situation, the Russian Science Foundation was requested to formulate its position regarding the possibility of sending St Petersburg University employees on business trips for the purpose of implementing scientific projects in countries included in the list of foreign states and territories committing unfriendly actions against the Russian Federation, Russian legal entities and individuals. 

As Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research at St Petersburg University, explained, in its response, the Russian Science Foundation draws attention to the fact that all travel expenses under the grant must undergo a procedure for assessing their appropriateness and fully comply with the by-laws of the sending organisation. The organisation must also ensure timely control of risks associated with the implementation of the project, taking into account the unfriendly actions of governments of the countries and the absence of diplomatic relations. At the same time, the organisation, its founder, and various executive authorities have the right to introduce specific restrictions for employees in connection with the current geopolitical situation in the world, possible threats to the security of Russian citizens while outside Russia and potential risks associated with their return. 

Order No 430-r of the Government of the Russian Federation dated 5 March 2022 approved the list of foreign states and territories committing unfriendly actions against the Russian Federation, Russian legal entities and individuals. When regulating business trips, all budgetary organisations should take into account the constantly updated recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation to refrain from travelling to unfriendly countries (according to the approved list). 

According to the response of the Russian Science Foundation, changes to the project work plan in terms of business trips (cancellation of business trips) do not require special notification of the Russian Science Foundation, since participation in conferences is not included in the list of project performance indicators. The business trip can be replaced, and, according to the response, events related to foreign trips and included in the project implementation plans for various grant programmes can be reviewed and prioritised taking into account the friendly nature of interstate relations. 

In connection with the above, Sergey Mikushev drew the attention of the heads and executors of grants and projects of St Petersburg University to the need to take into account current regulations, including recommendations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, when planning business trips to foreign countries, including not only for the purpose of testing the results, but also for the purpose of carrying out research on the projects. When considering the submissions for business trips received for approval, St Petersburg University will be guided by current legislation and relevant recommendations. 

Changes in human resources 

Dmitriy Shishmakov, Head of the Marketing and Media Communication Department at St Petersburg University, has terminated his employment with the University. He was thanked by the Rector for conscientious performance of his duties at St Petersburg University. Polina Ogorodnikova, who previously served as Senior Deputy Head of the Marketing and Media Communication Department, has been appointed Acting Head of the Marketing and Media Communication Department at St Petersburg University. 

Organisation of accommodating students in the halls of residence at St Petersburg University 

Information on the accommodation of first-year students in the halls of residence of St Petersburg University before the start of the 2024/2025 academic year is published on the University website (link and link). Places in the halls of residence of St Petersburg University are provided to students for accommodation and relocation in accordance with the Regulation on the provision of places in the halls of residence of St Petersburg University (hereinafter referred to as the Regulation) in accordance with the rules that are the same for all students of the University. Places in the halls of residence located in the Vasileostrovsky and Nevsky Districts of St Petersburg are provided as available places in accordance with the procedure established in Paragraph 2.8 of the Regulation. This Paragraph defines the sequence of groups of students, according to which first-year students have the opportunity to settle in the specified halls of residence and second-year and subsequent-year students can move from the halls of residence located in the Petrodvortsovy District of St Petersburg to the halls of residence in the Vasileostrovsky and Nevsky Districts during their studies. 

For example, first-year master’s students in the current academic year and students in clinical residency and doctoral programmes are discussed in Paragraph 2.8.9 of the Regulation. They may be provided with places in the halls of residence in the city centre after providing places to students specified in Paragraphs 2.8.1 to 2.8.8 of the Regulation. 

In 2024, major repairs of Halls of Residence No 1, 2 and 3 at 20 Korablestroitelei Street are ongoing, due to which more than 2,100 places are unavailable for the accommodation of first-year students and the resettlement of senior students. The number of free places of the basic category and enhanced comfort in the halls of residence located in the Vasileostrovsky and Nevsky Districts available in August was sufficient to accommodate first-year students specified in Paragraphs 2.8.1 to 2.8.6 of the Regulations. The remaining students, including those enrolled in the first year of the master’s programmes (Paragraph 2.8.9), were offered places in the halls of residence in the Petrodvortsovy District with the possibility of subsequent resettlement in the established manner, while the opportunity to resettle will first be provided to students enrolled in previous years, specified in Paragraphs 2.8.7 and 2.8.8 of the Regulations. 

Information on the wait list for relocation from the halls of residence in the Petrodvortsovy District to the halls of residence in the Vasileostrovsky and Nevsky Districts and the current wait list are published on the University website. Currently, there are 2,118 students on the wait list for relocation, listed in accordance with subparagraphs of Paragraph 2.8 of the Regulation. By 15 September, all first-year students who study in the centre of St Petersburg and will live in the halls of residence in the Petrodvortsovy District have been added to this list. Relocation is usually carried out monthly, announcements about relocation are published on the website and communicated to students via the corporate e-mail service of St Petersburg University. All available vacancies are provided for relocation each time: both basic and enhanced comfort. 

According to a survey conducted among students on the wait list for resettlement, slightly more than half of them prefer to move to basic category places in the halls of residence in the Vasileostrovsky and Nevsky Districts, but almost 70% of them are ready to move to places of enhanced comfort if it speeds up their resettlement. Their readiness depends on the list of the halls of residence in which at a particular moment there will be free places of enhanced comfort. The remaining students on the wait list for resettlement prefer to move immediately to places of enhanced comfort, but 80% of them are ready to move to places of the basic category if, by the time their turn comes, only such places are available, and then move to the vacant places of enhanced comfort in the halls of residence that they prefer. 

Currently, the first-year students are being accommodated in the halls of residence, as information is published on the University website. After the first-year students have been accommodated, all available basic category places and places of enhanced comfort in all the halls of residence located in the Vasileostrovsky and Nevsky Districts will be counted, and all available places will be provided for the students included in the wait list published on the website. 

By the end of 2024, it is planned to put into operation after renovation more than 700 places in Hall of residence No 1 at 20 Korablestroitelei Street, which will be available for resettlement and will speed up the resettlement of students from the wait list. 

Co-working in the building at 39 Radishcheva Street 

In early September, the renovation of the co-working space in the building of St Petersburg University at 39 Radishcheva Street was completed using design layouts created with the participation of members of the student council of the Faculty of Economics. The building is suitable to hold working meetings of the student council committees, meetings of the financial and career clubs of economics students, creative competitions, negotiations and discussions, workshops with employers, and board game evenings. 

The grand opening of the co-working space is planned for 20 September. Members of the student council proposed organising a schedule for the use of the co-working space based on applications that the student council will accept and take into account. Students and employees will be able to make their suggestions on the time and days they would like to use the co-working space. 

The Telegram channel "Your St Petersburg University" 

The University has launched a corporate channel, "Your St Petersburg University", which will help you follow the University’s news and be the first to learn about the achievements of your colleagues, new opportunities for professional development, and the launch of special programmes for employees and their families. 

It provides all the links to useful resources for work: the telephone directory, the Virtual Reception, news and event announcements, museums and the Botanical Garden, and the website dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University to name just a few. 

The channel contains the most important information on the results of the Rector’s meetings, success stories of the University staff, information on discounts at the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University and announcements about voluntary medical insurance. University staff and students will be able to learn about online courses for St Petersburg University employees, electronic services, professional development programmes and non-degree programmes. 

The section "Important to know" explains how financial assistance, vacation pay, business trips and sick leave are calculated, how to purchase vouchers to St Petersburg University bases and what events are held for employees’ children. Subscribers will have access to news about cooperation with the University’s partners, promo codes and corporate discounts (St Petersburg University launches a Telegram channel for staff). 

Development of the English-language part of the St Petersburg University website

As Acting Head of the Marketing and Media Communication Department Polina Ogorodnikova reported, in order to develop international communication channels of St Petersburg University with target audiences, work was carried out in the first half of 2024 to update sections of the English-language version of the St Petersburg University website. Thirty six sections of the website have been updated: preparation of foreign citizens for study at St Petersburg University, admissions, and online education to name just a few. A page dedicated to Russian language courses that St Petersburg University organises for residents of the African continent has been created. 

Systematic work on the development of the information resource enables us to note a confident annual increase in the number of site visitors.

It is expected that by the end of 2024, the number of views and unique visitors to the resource will exceed the 2023 statistics by up 10% to 15%.

Cultural events at St Petersburg University during September 

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

A series of exhibitions dedicated to the beginning of the academic year 

On 2 September, a series of exhibitions dedicated to the beginning of the academic year and the Knowledge Day opened in the field-specific departments at the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University. The target audience is first-year students in various academic programmes. 

Exhibition "Mr Student of St Petersburg Imperial University. 'Where science stands high, man stands high!'" 

On 2 September, "Mr Student of St Petersburg Imperial University. 'Where science stands high, man stands high!'" opened in the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University. It is a continuation of a series of exhibitions dedicated to the development of education at St Petersburg University. 

Opening of Denis Ichitovkin’s personal exhibition "Exit" 

On 4 September, an exhibition by Denis Ichitovkin, "Exit", opened at the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University. It is part of the programme of events for the 125th anniversary of Vladimir Nabokov. It is dedicated to Vladimir Nabokov and the house on Bolshaya Morskaya where the writer was born. 

Online exhibition "Vladimir Beneshevich: an outstanding historian of church law"

On 4 September, the online exhibition "Vladimir Beneshevich: an outstanding historian of church law" was opened. It uses materials from the collections of the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University and the Russian National Library. 

Exhibition of St Petersburg University "Dinosaurs of Russia" 

On 6 September, the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences opened the St Petersburg University exhibition "Dinosaurs of Russia". This exhibition was successfully held at the University in the spring. 

Lectures on St Petersburg University Alumni Day 

On 7 September, on St Petersburg University Alumni Day, there was the lecture "Manuscript Korans in the collection of the M. Gorky Scientific Library"; a lecture on the history of the University’s book collection entitled "How to start a book and how to end it: the experience of publishers in the 15th to 16th centuries"; and excursions for graduates to St Petersburg University museums. 

Exhibition "Animals of remarkable people" by Mila Kalnitskaia and Mikhail Maslennikov

On 7 September, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University opened the exhibition "Animals of remarkable people" by Mila Kalnitskaia and Mikhail Maslennikov. It is part of the project "Jewellery vector". Unusual designer jewellery created by famous Moscow jewellery artists is presented. Among them are brooches in the form of fantastic characters from the animal world. 

Exhibition "Scientific Library of Leningrad State University during the Great Patriotic War and the Siege" 

On 8 September, "The Scientific Library of Leningrad State University during the Great Patriotic War and the Siege" opened at the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University. 

Exhibition "University and Orthodoxy. Theology at St Petersburg University. 1724—2024"

On 10 September, the exhibition "University and Orthodoxy. Theology at St Petersburg University. 1724—2024" opened in the corridor of the Twelve Collegia building. 

Collective exhibition "Look, a bestiary" by residents of Studio No 6 

On 11 September, the Diaghilev Museum of Contemporary Art at St Petersburg University opened the collective exhibition ‘Look, a bestiary’ by residents of Studio No 6. This is a project by Vera Svetlova and Aleksandr Nedera, who are artistic directors of Studio No 6 and social work specialists. 

Lecture "Nabokov and Borges: (non)returnability of the past and (non)repeatability of personality" 

On 13 September, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum held the lecture "Nabokov and Borges: (non)returnability of the past and (non)repeatability of personality". 

Opening of the exhibition "From the personal collection of Professor Mikhail Shargorodskii" 

On 16 September, there will be an opening of the "Exhibition in a showcase" "From the personal collection of Professor Mikhail Shargorodskii" at 7, 22nd Line, Vasilyevsky Island. It is set to mark the 120th anniversary of Mikhail Shargorodskii, a Soviet criminologist, Professor, and Head of the Department of Criminal Law at Leningrad State University. 

Local history quest game for children and their parents 

At 4pm on 18 September, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum will host a local history quest game for children aged 9 to 13 and their parents. Young museum visitors will go for a walk along Bolshaya Morskaya Street accompanied by Alexander Pushkin and Vladimir Nabokov and learn what the street was like at the beginning of two centuries, i.e. the 19th and 20th centuries. The children will find answers to questions about how Pushkin’s Petersburg differs from Nabokov’s Petersburg and how they are similar. 

Presentation of the new book "The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach: translation into Russian with historical, philological and theological commentary" by the St Petersburg University Publishing House 

At 5.30pm on 19 September, the St Petersburg University book shop "Dom Universitetskoi Knigi (University Book House)" will hold an open lecture and presentation of the new book from the St Petersburg University Publishing House "The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach: translation into Russian with historical, philological and theological commentary". 

Online exhibition "The pride of Russian physiology Ivan Pavlov" 

On 20 September, an online exhibition from the serious "Famous University people", "The pride of Russian physiology Ivan Pavlov" will open to mark the 175th anniversary of the University Professor, the first Russian Nobel laureate and the world’s first Nobel Prize laureate in Physiology or Medicine. 

Opening of the stand exhibition "The great humanist Nicholas Roerich"

On 27 September, the Matsneva Law Branch Department at the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University will open the stand exhibition "The great humanist Nicholas Roerich" to mark the 150th anniversary of the University graduate. 

Online exhibition "In the places of travel of physicists and mathematicians of St Petersburg University (Leningrad State University)" 

On 27 September, on Tourism Day, the online exhibition "In the places of travel of physicists and mathematicians of St Petersburg University (Leningrad State University)" will open to mark the anniversary of Sergei Frish, a physicist-spectroscopist, Professor and Director of the Research Institute of Physics at Leningrad State University. 

Opening of the exhibition "Life as a feat", dedicated to the 120th anniversary of Nikolai Ostrovsky 

On 29 September, the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University will open the exhibition "Life as a feat" to mark the 120th anniversary of Nikolai Ostrovsky, an outstanding Soviet writer whose personal feat and works became guidelines in choosing a life path for millions of young men and women, and the hero of his novel "How the steel was tempered", Pavka Korchagin, became an ideological and moral example. 

Opening of the exhibition "Alexander Pushkin and his time" 

On 30 September, the exhibition "Alexander Pushkin and his time" by students at the Ioganson St Petersburg State Academy Art Lyceum will open in the corridor of the Twelve Collegia building at St Petersburg University. 

Issue of a coin for the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University 

The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has issued a commemorative silver coin "300th Anniversary of St Petersburg University". Its creation will perpetuate the celebration of the anniversary of the oldest university in Russia in the history of the country. The total circulation is 3,000 pieces. 

The silver coin of three roubles, dedicated to the anniversary of St Petersburg University, was issued in the series ‘Historical events’. The pure precious metal weight is 31.1 grams, the alloy fineness is 925. On the front side, there is a relief image of the state emblem of the Russian Federation, the inscriptions "Russian Federation" and "The Bank of Russia", the denomination and year of issue are indicated. It also shows: the designation of the metal according to the periodic table of elements of Dmitri Mendeleev, the alloy fineness, the trademark of the St Petersburg Mint and the pure precious metal weight. 

On the reverse side of the coin, there are relief images of the Twelve Collegia building, i.e. the main building of St Petersburg University, and the coat of arms of St Petersburg University framed by a pattern of lines made using the laser matting technique. At the top along the circumference is the inscription "St Petersburg University", at the bottom there is an inscription "Founded in 1724". 

Branding of overland transport with the University’s 300th anniversary logo 

In honour of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, trolleybuses and trams are decorated in the corporate style of the oldest Russian university. They have already appeared on streets of St Petersburg. The transport will run around the historical centre throughout the year, which, by decision of St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov, is named the Year of St Petersburg University in the Northern Capital of Russia. Two trams of route No 6 and ten trolleybuses of routes No 10 and No 11 are decorated with the slogan of the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University, i.e. "History. Knowledge. People", which reflects the core values of the University. The corporate colours of St Petersburg University were used to paint the sides of the vehicles manufactured by the company "PK Transport Systems". The red colour symbolises the strength and passion for knowledge, adherence to traditions, while the gold colour adds a touch of lightness and emphasises the rich heritage of the University. The corporate style reflects the essence of St Petersburg University as a classical educational organisation with its look to the future. It is a visual representation of its mission, which, according to Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, is to form the research, educational and cultural agenda of the country, develop new areas of scientific knowledge and strengthen Russia’s position in the international space.