Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Death of St Petersburg University graduate Magomed Buchaev in the special military operation zone

Participants in the Rector’s meeting observed a minute of silence in memory of St Petersburg University graduate Magomed Buchaev, who died in the special military operation zone.

In 2019, Magomed Buchaev graduated with honours from Pyatigorsk State University. He received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations. From 2019 to 2021, he pursued the master’s programme "History of International Relations in the 20^th and 21^st Centuries" at St Petersburg University. He was seriously involved in the history of Sino-Soviet relations and international security issues, having completed a one-year course in Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University before entering the master’s programme at St Petersburg University.

During his master’s studies, Magomed Buchaev was a very active student, read a lot, and was interested in martial arts. He took part in Model UN, worked as a volunteer at regional and international scientific conferences, including as a simultaneous interpreter.

After graduating from St Petersburg University, Magomed Buchaev moved to Moscow and, having been well equipped with professional knowledge and skills, began his career with the international television channel Russia Today.

During his master’s studies, Magomed Buchaev was responsible, punctual, reliable, and had a sense of camaraderie, said his educators. According to the opinions of those who was with him in the special military operation zone, where Magomed volunteered in June 2024, he displayed all these qualities as well. Taking part in the storming of Chasov Yar, Magomed Buchaev died, protecting his comrades and fulfilling his military duty to the end.

Participation of St Petersburg University in the campaign "Universities for the Front"

St Petersburg University is collecting material and technical resources for units participating in the special military operation and is actively helping residents of various regions affected by the conflict.

Since the beginning of August, a state of emergency has been declared in the Kursk Region due to the aggression by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. In response to these events, the volunteer centre "Dobro. St Petersburg University Centre" organised humanitarian aid collection points for residents of the Kursk Region and Lipetsk Region. Thanks to the active support of students, educators, and citizens, it was possible to collect more than a ton of essential items, including food, clothing, personal care products and bedding.

Assistance to military personnel and residents of the border areas is an important area of work for St Petersburg University. In the context of the current challenges faced by various subjects of the Russian Federation, St Petersburg University is actively mobilising its resources and potential to provide necessary assistance. Not only the administrative staff and academic staff at the University, but also students in all areas of study are actively involved in this initiative and help with sorting and packaging humanitarian aid.

Since the beginning of the special military operation, St Petersburg University has not only organised the collection of necessary things for civilians who suffered during the conflict, but also regularly prepares batches for sending to the combat zone. Anyone can bring items that are needed both by the military personnel and by their family members. Currently, St Petersburg University has three collection points located at the following addresses: 28 Universitetsky Prospect; 6 Birzhevaya Line; 13b Universitetskaya Embankment.

St Petersburg University also organises various events aimed at raising awareness of the current events and problems faced by residents of the border regions. In February of this year, an exhibition dedicated to the participation of the University students, staff and graduates in the special military operation was opened.

St Petersburg University is also actively looking for volunteers to coordinate the process of collecting and transporting humanitarian aid to the citywide centre. Participation in volunteer activities is not only a way to help those in need, but also an opportunity to develop your organisational skills, meet like-minded people and be part of the process. More detailed information on how to become a volunteer and what kind of help to offer can be found in the group Volunteer Centre.

The University receives gratitude from the staff of the 6^th regiment of the Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence for assistance provided for needs of the special military operation

St Petersburg University continues to provide comprehensive support to the participants in the special military operation, raising funds to purchase humanitarian aid needed in the combat zone. After receiving another batch of material and technical resources, the servicemen recorded a video message to the University staff and students to express their gratitude.

"On behalf of the personnel and command staff of the 6^th regiment of the Troops of Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence, we send our greetings and gratitude to the staff of St Petersburg University and the Military Training Centre for the assistance provided," the statement said. "Your assistance is essential to us and is very pleasant. We received everything we needed. Thank you very much. May God bless you. Victory will be ours!"

Earlier, students, educators and staff at St Petersburg University sent another batch of aid for the participants in the special military operation, which included spare parts and components for special military equipment necessary for the effective performance of combat missions.

The assistance is provided through the Military Training Centre at the University, which cooperates with units of the Western Military District and regularly receives information from the command about what technical equipment is currently needed, and then makes purchases and sends material and technical equipment to the special military operation zone, taking into account all necessary security measures.

Preparation of humanitarian aid for sending to the special military operation zone is ongoing at St Petersburg University. All interested University staff and students can take part in collecting funds to help military personnel. To this end, you need to send a letter from your corporate email to the head of the Military Training Centre at St Petersburg University, Aleksandr Maslikov, at the address: a.maslikov@spbu.ru.

Results of the competitive selection for a personal scholarship established by Vikingbank JSC, intended to provide financial support to children of participants in the special military operation

The results of the competition for a personal scholarship established by the Vikingbank JSC, intended to provide financial support to children of participants in the special military operation, have been summed up at St Petersburg University. According to the results of the competition, ten students who demonstrated high achievements in their studies and active participation in the life of the University became winners.

The competition reviewed applications from students studying in higher education programmes, including bachelor’s, specialist’s, and master’s degrees. The selection committee carefully assessed the submitted documents and the candidates’ achievements.

The scholarship amount is 20,000 roubles per month. Payments will be made throughout the current academic year.

St Petersburg University regularly supports participants in the special military operations, children of military personnel, staff and students who find themselves in difficult life situations. There are humanitarian aid points at St Petersburg University, organised by the Volunteer Centre and the volunteer movement of the St Petersburg University Clinic, offering assistance to those who need support, collecting and distributing humanitarian aid.

St Petersburg University offers non-degree programmes to support demobilised military personnel and fighters of the special military operation who returned from the front. For this purpose, the St Petersburg University Online School was opened, which provides students with the opportunity for free distance learning and receive a certificate of the established form. In December 2023, St Petersburg University opened non-degree programmes "Mental Trauma and Disorders Associated with Traumatic Stress: Challenges of the Time," "Management of the State and Municipal Procurements," "Fundamentals of Practical Robotics and Artificial Intelligence."

Vikingbank JSC has successfully cooperated with St Petersburg University for many years, and many graduates of St Petersburg University subsequently become employees of the financial institution. The programme of the personal scholarships of Vikingbank JSC was established to support talented students whose parents protect the interests of the country. Financial assistance evidences the importance of social responsibility and support for families whose relatives participate in the special military operation. According to the organisers, this initiative helps to create more favourable conditions for the education and development of young people in the context of modern challenges.

Events dedicated to Lyudmila Verbitskaya, Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Rector and President of St Petersburg University 

On 25 November, a memorial service for Lyudmila Verbitskaya (1936–2019) was held at the University Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul. The service was attended by Rector of St Petersburg University Nikolay Kropachev; Academic Secretary of St Petersburg University, Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council Elena Chernova; Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities Marina Lavrikova; directors and deans, academics and students at the University.

"Lyudmila Verbitskaya was not just Rector, Dean of the Faculty of Philology and President of the University, but she was an amazing person. She never gave up. Her personality is in many ways iconic for St Petersburg University. That is why we all came to the memorial service, to pay tribute to the memory of Lyudmila Verbitskaya," said Elena Chernova.

Lyudmila Verbitskaya, an outstanding philologist, Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Rector and President of St Petersburg University, passed away on 24 November 2019. The University preserves the memory of the great scholar and linguist-Russianist. The name of Lyudmila Verbitskaya was given to the Department of General Linguistics at St Petersburg University, which she had headed for more than 30 years. The annual international philological conference is also named in her honour. On the eve of the 15^th Congress of the International Association of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature, a sculptural bust of Lyudmila Verbitskaya was unveiled at St Petersburg University, which is a symbol of recognition of her contribution to the development of philology and education of young generations. To support undergraduate and postgraduate students who have demonstrated high results in the study of various aspects of the Russian language, a scholarship named after Professor Lyudmila Verbitskaya was established at St Petersburg University.

The portrait of Lyudmila Verbitskaya greets the University staff, students, and guests of St Petersburg University on the grand staircase of the Twelve Collegia building, in the portrait gallery of the University rectors. She served as Rector from 1994 to 2008. Then, she was elected President of St Petersburg University. It is also planned to install a memorial plaque on the façade of the building on 7-9-11 Universitetskaya Embankment where the outstanding philologist, Dean of the Faculty of Philology, Rector and President of St Petersburg University, honorary citizen of St Petersburg Lyudmila Verbitskaya worked for 60 years . The corresponding resolution was signed by Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University.

As part of the 16^th Assembly of the Russian World in Moscow, the biographical film "The main Russianist of the planet" was premiered. This is how friends and colleagues called the President of St Petersburg University, an outstanding philologist and talented teacher Lyudmila Verbitskaya.

The life of the famous scholar is unfolded in the documentary film, the plot of which is based on the professional path from a student to the head of one of the largest universities in Russia. In 1958, Lyudmila Verbitskaya completed her studies in the Russian Language and Literature programme, defended her candidate and doctoral dissertations, became Professor, Head of the Department of General Linguistics, Vice-Rector for Academic Activities, Senior Vice-Rector, and Rector of St Petersburg University. "For me, the University is my whole life," would say Lyudmila Verbitskaya. The filming was also at the Department of Phonetics and Methods of Teaching Foreign Languages, where Lyudmila Verbitskaya worked as a laboratory assistant and began her academic career as a linguist and a specialist in the Russian language.

Lyudmila Verbitskaya is the author of more than 300 scientific, educational and methodological works in the field of Russian and general linguistics, phonetics, phonology and methods of teaching Russian.

The biographical film is a story of colleagues, associates, close friends and family members about the invaluable contribution of Lyudmila Verbitskaya to the development of Russian education. Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, also shared his memories. He said that Lyudmila Verbitskaya was torn between her family and the University, but gave preference to the University. "Lyudmila Verbitskaya was a person of sharp mind and remarkable spiritual strength, who had the ability not only to lead, but also to solve even the most challenging and arduous issues. I can rightfully consider Lyudmila Verbitskaya my mentor and teacher," said Nikolay Kropachev in the film.

Academician Mikhail Piotrovsky, Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University, recalled how Lyudmila Verbitskaya skilfully used the Russian language not only as a means of communication, but also as a soft power, building the cultural self-awareness of people. "We remember her as a powerful, strong personality, who combined personal charm and management skills," Mikhail Piotrovsky said.

The Italian composer Luigi Tonet admitted that he is incredibly proud and happy to have created the musical accompaniment to the film, the main character of which is such a powerful personality as Lyudmila Verbitskaya. He thanked the Russkiy Mir Foundation for this trust.

The film "The main Russianist of the planet," a project of the TV and Radio Company Russkiy Mir, became one of the winners of the 2024 Presidential Grants Fund contest. It was directed by Liubov Kurianova, who has dozens of documentary works, which have been broadcast on federal channels in Russia and abroad. She has been also awarded prestigious all-Russian and international prizes. The TV and Radio Company Russkiy Mir belongs to the Russkiy Mir Foundation, and Lyudmila Verbitskaya was the chairperson of its board of trustees. The mission of the Russkiy Mir Foundation is to popularise the Russian language and culture.

The film will be shown in 33 centres located in 21 countries around the world, as well as on the TV channel of the Union State of Russia and Belarus BelRos, the TV channel Russkiy Mir and the national educational TV channel Prosveshchenie. Foreign viewers will be able to watch the film in three languages: English, Chinese, and Spanish.

"The main Russianist of the planet" is the first film in the series "Constellations of philologists." Each person planned to be featured is a star in the field of philology, both past and present. In the next work, the authors are planning to introduce the biography of the President of the Pushkin State Russian Language Institute, Academician Vitaliy Kostomarov (1930–2020).

Participation of St Petersburg University representatives in the events of the 26^th World Russian People’s Council "The Russian World: External and Internal Challenges"

Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Member of the Bureau of the Presidium of the World Russian People’s Council, has participated in the 26^th World Russian People’s Council. The event, themed "The Russian World: External and Internal Challenges," was held at Moscow’s Cathedral of Christ the Saviour.

During the plenary session, Rector of St Petersburg University Nikolay Kropachev proposed an initiative to establish the St Petersburg International Value Ideological Forum. To effectively safeguard Russia’s interests on the global stage, it is essential to develop unique platforms and innovative formats for addressing contemporary social issues through the lens of traditional Russian values.

In his speech, the Rector of St Petersburg University emphasised that the World Russian People’s Council currently operates as a public association primarily addressing domestic issues. However, it is necessary nowadays to engage more actively in the international diplomatic arena, using the potential of public diplomacy to serve the interests of Russia and the Russian world.

The Rector stated: "The World Russian People’s Council is a resource of public diplomacy, capable of conveying the voice of the Russian Orthodox Church and the traditional spiritual and moral values rooted in Orthodoxy and the teachings of other traditional religions of Russia to various corners of the Russian world and beyond, reaching other nations and peoples. However, we need to establish our own platforms and introduce new formats. I propose considering the initiation of an international forum by the Council."

The Rector of St Petersburg University proposed an initiative to organise an international forum in St Petersburg under the auspices of the World Russian People’s Council. This forum would address issues in economics, law, geopolitical challenges, medicine, bioethics, culture, and art, all considered through the lens of a value ideological worldview rooted in traditional spiritual and moral values. According to Nikolay Kropachev, such an international forum could be held as early as 2025. 

The Rector also proposed measures to enhance the influence of the World Russian People’s Council in shaping amendments to the regulatory framework aimed at implementing strategic planning documents, including the National Security Strategy and the Presidential Executive Order "On approving fundamentals of state policy for preservation and strengthening of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values."

The Rector of St Petersburg University highlighted that the University, on behalf of the Government, is coordinating the efforts of a consortium of law schools and scientific organisations to analyse Russian legislation for its compatibility with traditional Russian values. The results of this analysis were recently presented at a meeting of the working group of the Council for Coordination with Religious Organisations under the Russian Presidential Administration. Of the more than 400 proposals received, 44 were contributed by the Legal Department of the Moscow Patriarchate. Nikolay Kropachev proposed establishing a committee or working group within the World Russian People’s Council to discuss the results of the consortium’s work and its recommendations and to provide an expert assessment of the results.

Nikolay Kropachev co-chaired the panel session "From Value Ideology to the Formation of Value Institutions" alongside Aleksandr Shchipkov, Deputy Head of the World Russian People’s Council and Rector of the Russian Orthodox University of St John the Theologian, and Evgeniyi Tsybizov, Co-Chairman of the Novosibirsk Regional Branch of the World Russian People’s Council. During the session, Professor Nikolay Kropachev delivered a report on the implementation of the state language policy.

In his report, Professor Kropachev emphasised that the state language is a broad concept encompassing all spheres of public communication. Its mandatory use extends not only to legal texts and court decisions but also to public film screenings, literary performances, and media materials. It is therefore crucial that we should closely scrutinise its use and the values it conveys. Left unchecked, Professor Kropachev warned, the state language can become a conduit for ideas detrimental to culture.

Rector Nikolay Kropachev underlined that it is insufficient merely to ponder over the role of language in reflecting the value picture of the world. We must also safeguard it from the infiltration of attitudes and values harmful to Russian culture and our spiritual and moral values system. To this end, in 2023, the Federal Law of the Russian Federation on the State Language was updated to establish new rules governing the use of the Russian language in public spaces. The amendments introduced requirements specifying which dictionaries and reference books set the official norms of the Russian language. After reviewing such publications, the Russian government approves a list of them. The development of one of the normative explanatory dictionaries was assigned to St Petersburg University.

Rector Nikolay Kropachev pointed out that an explanatory dictionary should describe the meanings of a word, taking into account its current use in the language. Furthermore, it should also bolster the Russian language by incorporating meanings rooted in traditional spiritual and moral values. Compiling a normative explanatory dictionary is far too important and complex a social task for St Petersburg University scholars and experts to undertake alone. It is our common cause, a responsibility we all share as a society. Together, we must determine which meanings and values of words in our language deserve protection and preservation, for they embody the true culture and values of our people.

Nikolay Kropachev noted that a major shortcoming of the Federal Law on the State Language is its lack of an effective implementation mechanism. He explained that "police enforcement" measures alone are unlikely to be sufficient in such cases. He argued that both the state and public oversight are needed to monitor what meanings are attributed to words.

Sergei Belov, Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University, also spoke at the panel session, presenting on "Traditional Spiritual and Moral Values in the Explanatory Dictionary of the State Language." He revealed that while working to integrate the values outlined in Executive Order No 809 dated 9 November 2022, into the legal system, the University’s legal scholars encountered a significant challenge. The order defines traditional spiritual and moral values as abstract concepts, making the task of clarifying their meanings and specific content particularly difficult. To address this issue, it is essential that we unpack and formalise their content.

Visit of Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation Konstantin Chuychenko to St Petersburg University; scientific and practical conference "The judicial reform in Russia in 1864: history and modernity"; opening of the monument to Wlodzimierz Spasowicz

St Petersburg University has held the scientific and practical conference "The Judicial reform in Russia in 1864: history and modernity." More than 150 people took part in the conference. Among them were: scholars and educators of higher law schools, representatives of the Ministry of Justice of Russia, the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation and the Chamber of Lawyers of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, the Constitutional Court of Russia, the Council of Judges of Russia, and the Supreme Court.

The judicial reform fundamentally changed the judicial system and procedural law of the Russian Empire. It introduced the principles of independence of judges and the equality of the parties involved in the trial. It also established courts with the participation of jurors and a truly functioning bar.

Konstantin Chuychenko, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, and a graduate of the University, speaking about the reform, presented a new look at the case of Vera Zasulich, the most high-profile trial in Russia in the 19^th century. At that time, the jury acquitted 28‑year-old Vera Zasulich, who shot Fyodor Trepov in 1878. As a result of the assassination attempt, Fyodor Trepov was seriously injured. Vera Zasulich said that she had stood up for the populist Arkhip Bogolyubov, who was convicted of participating in a youth demonstration, and Fyodor Trepov gave an illegal order to punish him with rods.

Vera Zasulich was tried by a jury. "The very possibility of such an open trial is an unconditional consequence of the judicial reform of 1864," said the Minister of Justice. It was then that special criminal proceedings arose, the concept of adversarial proceedings appeared, the right of the accused to defence was declared, and attorneys-at-law appeared. "With all these undoubtedly progressive innovations, significant shortcomings were also noted, which subsequently played an important role in the case of Vera Zasulich and led to a series of criminal terrorist crimes against Russian government officials," said Konstantin Chuychenko.

Vera Zasulich faced 15 to 20 years in prison, but she was acquitted. According to the Minister, the jury assessed Vera Zasulich’s actions as a noble impulse, relied on the emotional speech of her defence attorney, and the judge’s posing of questions implied answers that would lead to leniency for the defendant. They turned a blind eye to her membership in the revolutionary circles, seven months of preparation for the assassination attempt, and most importantly, that she was ready to kill a man.

The acquittal and lack of punishment testified to the weakness of the government and the legal system at that time. The trial highlighted the dualism of law and morality. "When we look at this case, we can see how important it is for the state to be able to protect not only itself, but also the entire society, its values and traditions. One of the tasks of law is to protect spiritual and moral values and develop relevant legal regulation," said the Minister.

The conference participants recalled that the result of the publication of the Executive Order of the President of the Russian Federation "On approving fundamentals of state policy for preservation and strengthening of traditional Russian spiritual and moral values" is the integration of traditional values into the system of legal norms.

"St Petersburg University is currently extensively engaged in analysing the compliance of all Russian legislation with the Presidential Executive Order. We have begun work with local acts. For example, the University has already made changes to the University Code of Conduct, to the curricula and syllabi, to the plans for research activities. The universities and scientific organisations united in the consortium involved in this work have already identified more than 400 provisions and regulations requiring amendments," said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

As Nikolay Kropachev explained, the judicial reform of 1864 was aimed at ensuring that the legislation and legal system corresponded to the era and the tasks that the state faced at that time. Today’s changes are also aimed at ensuring that the law corresponds to the challenges of the time.

Sergei Belov, Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University, recalled how the judge, University graduate Anatoly Koni spoke about the changes that took place in the mid-19^th century in the book "Fathers and Sons of the Judicial Reform." The judicial reform of 1864 remains the ideal of spiritual, legal and moral development of the country for today’s lawyers, said Sergei Belov. "The reform was aimed at protecting a person, their freedoms as the main value of law," said Sergei Belov. "It is the court, the judicial system that cements all law, the entire legal system and unites representatives of various legal specialties in the implementation of the main principles and values of law."

During the visit of the Minister of Justice to the University, he also met with law students. Konstantin Chuychenko answered questions and shared his memories of his years of study at the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University. "Here, we were taught to think, to doubt. We were taught how to obtain knowledge, where to find it, how to evaluate this knowledge. Of course, a real lawyer must know the law, the norms, but this is not the main thing. The main task of a lawyer is to propose moves within the framework of these norms, according to the rules of this game. Wherever I have worked, wherever I have studied, I have always felt the influence of the Faculty of Law, because the level of education here is very high. We had great professors. This is what has been preserved with you. The Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University is one of the strongest schools of law," said Konstantin Chuychenko.

On 22 November, the monument to the lawyer, Professor of the University Włodzimierz Spasowicz was unveiled on Vasilyevsky Island. The monument was created on the initiative of the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation, St Petersburg University, and the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation with the personal support of Alexander Beglov, Governor of St Petersburg, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University. The place for the installation of the monument was not chosen by chance. A few hundred metres away from the monument, there is the building of St Petersburg University where future lawyers study today.

The event brought together Konstantin Chuychenko, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, a graduate of the University, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University; Boris Piotrovsky, Vice-Governor of St Petersburg; Svetlana Volodina, President of the Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation; Viacheslav Tenishev, President of the St Petersburg Chamber of Lawyers; Sergey Pepeliaev, Managing Partner of the law firm Pepeliaev Group; and Denis Arkhipov, Managing Partner of the law firm EPAM Law.

Włodzimierz Spasowicz graduated from St Petersburg University in 1845. A few years later, he defended his master’s thesis at the Department of International Law. In the late 1850s, he began teaching, lecturing on criminal law to future lawyers.

According to Konstantin Chuychenko, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University , a graduate of the University, Włodzimierz Spasowicz lived a very interesting and bright professional life. He was engaged in science, was the author of the idea of opening an institute, developed a concept of the elements of a crime, wrote a lot about the court of criminal punishment, and formulated the need for attention to penitentiary institutions. He devoted a lot of time to studying how people after imprisonment should be treated in order to make them live a righteous life. Włodzimierz Spasowicz devoted 40 years to the important and noble profession of a lawyer.

The name of Włodzimierz Spasowicz was very well known in the second half of the 19^th century. He acted as a defence attorney in the most high-profile political and criminal trials, earning the title of "king of the bar." His speeches in court were distinguished by their expressiveness and impeccable broad erudition. His knowledge in psychology and forensic medicine was high lauded by leading experts, with whom he argued on equal terms.

According to Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, St Petersburg University has always been committed to responding to the demands of the time and solve the most pressing state real-life problems.

"The University has always been home to outstanding lawyers, specialists in various fields of law, influencing the development of legal science and practice. A special place among them is occupied by an outstanding lawyer who worked on high-profile political and criminal trials of the country, a talented orator and publicist, Professor of the University Wlodzimierz Spasowicz. He was a true defender of the law and justice, contributed to the development of legal education and the history of the oldest university in Russia. Now, the monument to the great lawyer is located here, not far from the building of his faculty. The figure turned out to be alive, you want to come up to it and bow. I am sure that students on their way to the exam will come up to him and shake his hand for good luck," said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, during the ceremony and demonstrated a new University tradition. Konstantin Chuychenko, Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation, also expressed his respect to Professor Włodzimierz Spasowicz and shook hands with the outstanding lawyer.

The diploma and gown of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University presented to Ilham Mammadhasan oglu Rahimov, Doctor of Law, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honoured Lawyer of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Association of Lawyers of the Black Sea-Caspian Region. Round table to mark the 45^th anniversary of the scholar’s scientific activity

On 25 November, at the meeting of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University, there was a solemn ceremony of presenting the diploma and gown of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University to Ilham Mammadhasan oglu Rahimov, Doctor of Law, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honoured Lawyer of the Republic of Azerbaijan, President of the Association of Lawyers of the Black Sea-Caspian Region. 

Ilham Mammadhasan oglu Rahimov graduated from the Faculty of Law at Leningrad State University named after A A Zhdanov in 1975. His mentor was Nikolai Beliaev (1923-2004), Honoured Worker of Science of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Law and Professor of St Petersburg University. Ilham Rahimov successfully defended his candidate’s dissertation and then doctoral dissertation at the University. He was actively involved in scientific activities and worked at the Ministry of Justice of the Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic. He also headed the Azerbaijan Institute of Forensic Science and Criminalistics.

Today, he is Honoured Lawyer of the Republic of Azerbaijan and a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He authored more than 100 scholarly papers in the field of penology, criminology and criminal-executive law. He is also the author of more than 20 monographs on the fundamental problems of crime and punishment.

His research ideas underpin a concept of punishment for crime, which influenced the modernisation of criminal and criminal executive law. Throughout his life, Ilham Rahimov has consistently been supporting the idea of humanisation of criminal punishment. The main areas of his research activity are moral and religious foundations of crime and punishment, automated programmes for determining the measure of punishment, modern crime and its prevention.

"The title of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University has a special meaning for me, because my entire life and research activity are connected with this University. By the will of fate, I became a student of Leningrad State University named after A A Zhdanov. Having received an excellent education from excellent educators, whom my friends and I often recall, and thanks to the knowledge that I acquired at the University, I became a doctoral student and defended my candidate’s dissertation, even before completing my postgraduate studies, and then defended my doctoral dissertation. I have never lost touch with our famous University. I bow to the members of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University and to the University, where I became a scholar in the field of law," said Ilham Mammadhasan oglu Rahimov during the meeting of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University.

As part of the ceremony, Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Member of the Presidium of the Association of Lawyers of Russia, Chairman of the Interregional Branch of the All-Russian Non-Governmental Organisation "Association of Lawyers of Russia," presented the scholar with insignia on the occasion of being awarded the title of Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University.

"Over the 300 years of the history of St Petersburg University, the title of Honorary Doctor has been awarded to 142 citizens of Russia and foreign countries. Among them are many of our contemporaries, outstanding lawyers and statesmen: Dmitry Medvedev, Alexander Bastrykin, Valery Zorkin, and Taliya Habrieva. In the 17th and 18th centuries, among the Honorary Doctors of our University were outstanding Russian and foreign lawyers: Friedrich Carl von Savigny, Robert von Mohl, and Rudolf von Jhering to name just a few. There were also historical figures with a rich legacy. Among them were the following: Alexander Golitsyn, Mikhail Speransky, Anatoly Koni, and Gerhard Schröder to name just a few. These people are the glory of the world legal science. Their service to the law and justice should serve as a guideline for many generations of lawyers. St Petersburg University has always been famous for its law school. Today, our graduates are a large community of professionals who make crucial decisions for our country. The University is proud of its law graduates and, primarily, of its main graduate — President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin," said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University. 

The title "Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University" is conferred upon the most outstanding scholars, educators and cultural workers, statesmen and public figures who have contributed to the development of international scientific, cultural, economic and political cooperation. An Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University may participate in meetings of the University’s Academic Council with an advisory vote, deliver lectures, conduct scientific research and participate in conferences, symposia and scientific events organised by St Petersburg University.

The ceremonial meeting of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University was attended by Professor Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, and Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University. Ilham Rahimov supports scientific and human ties between Russia and Azerbaijan, he is actively engaged in public life and is the author of the most important works in the field of criminal law, said Alexander Bastrykin.

On 26 November, as part of Ilham Rahimov’s visit to St Petersburg University, the University also held the round table "The concept of the effectiveness of punishment in the works of Professor Ilham Rahimov (historical, religious, legal and philosophical aspects): on the 45^th anniversary of his scientific activity." The University also opened two exhibitions of his books.

In honour of the 45^th anniversary of Ilham Rahimov’s scientific work, Taliya Habrieva, Director of the Institute of Legislation and Comparative Law under the Government of the Russian Federation, Deputy President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University, read a congratulatory address from President of the Russian Academy of Sciences Gennady Krasnikov. She also presented an honorary diploma recognising his many years of conscientious work, significant contributions to fundamental and applied scientific research in penology and criminology, and his role in fostering Russian-Azerbaijani scientific relations.

The event brought together: Dmitry Bokov, Acting Rector of the University of the Prosecutor’s Office of the Russian Federation, Senior Counsellor of Justice; Sergei Belov, Dean of the Faculty of Law at St Petersburg University; and other distinguished guests. The University is planning to create a gallery of busts of active lawyers-academicians and foreign members of the Russian Academy of Sciences, among which a bust of Ilham Rahimov will be installed, said Sergei Belov.

St Petersburg University takes part in the events of the St Petersburg International Scientific and Educational Salon

As part of the St Petersburg Week of Science and Professional Education, the International Scientific and Educational Salon has opened in St Petersburg. This event is the largest of its kind, offering visitors the opportunity to explore academic programmes and technological advancements from leading universities and research organisations. St Petersburg University, as always, is one of the most prominent participants in the Salon. This year, the Salon focused on the role of education and science in driving rapid growth for the national economy and fostering Russia’s spiritual and moral development.

The plenary session, titled "Vocational Education, Science and Innovation in the 21^st Century," commemorated the 300^th anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg University. It focused on the role of science and professional education in enhancing the quality of human life. The discussion was moderated by Vladimir Knyaginin, Vice-Governor of St Petersburg.

Elena Chernova, Academic Secretary and Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University, participated in the plenary session. In her address, she stressed that the University is highly successful in attracting international students, with the highest competition in Russia for government-funded places among international applicants this year. As a result, the University enrolled 1,230 foreign citizens in government-funded places and around 1,000 on a contractual basis. Currently, over 5,000 international students are enrolled in St Petersburg University’s academic programmes.

Elena Chernova emphasised that St Petersburg University is committed to being a global ambassador for Russian education. Initiatives such as the unique Online School of St Petersburg University for international students, along with the University’s representative offices and Russian language centres operating in over 120 countries, support this mission.

For the first time, visitors to the St Petersburg Scientific and Educational Salon had the unique opportunity to explore the work of all 22 educational clinics at St Petersburg University. These clinics make it possible for students to gain practical skills by working on real-world projects requested by companies and individuals. St Petersburg University students and lecturers discussed the integration of internship programmes into the teaching and learning process and led interactive sessions, including business games, tests, and surveys. Experts from the Centre for Financial Literacy at St Petersburg University offered advice on money management, while interns from the Linguistic Clinic conducted testing to assess functional proficiency in the Russian language. Representatives from The Mediation Centre at St Petersburg University the Mediation Centre guided guests through conflict resolution exercises. The Clinic of Communication Projects at St Petersburg University offered tests for salon participants to assess their personal brand, identify its level and areas for development and understand steps needed to reach their desired goals. 

Visitors to the St Petersburg International Scientific and Educational Salon could examine a model of the Area of St Petersburg University Development. This project aims to create a modern education and research infrastructure hub near the high-speed railway and motorway. One of the sites for the Neva Delta Innovative Science and Technology Centre, which is officially included in the Neva Delta Centre by a decree signed by the Government of the Russian Federation, will be a 100-hectare territory in the Pushkinsky District of St Petersburg. This site is located on the border between St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, close to the Area of St Petersburg University Development.

The interdisciplinary stand at the exhibition space of the Salon, showcasing the breadth of the University’s activities, features all levels of education and scientific achievements from both scholars and students. These range from research on ancient Earth inhabitants to advancements in AI technologies.

At the University’s stand, the St Petersburg University Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science presented a new project in development: a modular platform designed to create prototypes of complex components and implement technologies on finite devices with low power or no Internet access. 

Visitors to the Salon could also observe a 3D printer in action and take a test to determine whether a human or a neural network authored various texts.

The St Petersburg University’s stand also featured the University’s Museum collections and expositions commemorating the 125th birth anniversary of Vladimir Nabokov and the 190^th birth anniversary of Dmitri Mendeleev.

Leading researchers of St Petersburg University, lecturers of the Russian Society "Znanie" delivered lectures for guests and participants in the St Petersburg International Scientific and Educational Salon during the lecture session of the Russian Society "Znanie." Elena Chernova, Acting Rector, Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council, Academic Secretary of St Petersburg University was the moderator of the meeting on the topic "Partnership of Universities in Education: Traditions and Innovations."

In her speech, Elena Chernova addressed the history of the Russian Society "Znanie." She pointed out that the collapse of the USSR, which was a geopolitical catastrophe of the 20th century, resulted in the disbandment of the largest and most effective educational public mass association in history. However, today, as Russia confronts new challenges, the Russian Society "Znanie" is undergoing a period of "reboot." This appears to be progressing well. According to a survey of the Russian Public Opinion Research Centre, 84% of Russians trustthe organisation, with even higher levels of credibility reported among schoolchildren and students. Special attention is being paid to the development of regional branches of the Russian Society "Znanie." Since 2022, regional models for the advancement of academic activities have been established in 89 regions across the country. Concurrently, the leading Russian universities serve as the foundation for the organisation development in all regions.

"Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Chairman of the St Petersburg Regional Department of the Russian Society 'Znanie' identified the expansion of the regional team of lecturers as one of the most important tasks. Today, it includes more than 150 lecturers representing St Petersburg University and the universities of the city," Elena Chernova said. "The University supports the implementation of federal projects of the Russian Society 'Znanie' in the region and collaborates with government authorities, cultural institutions, youth cultural and leisure centres, and educational organisations, thereby forming a partner network of educators."

During the session, Professor Pavel Skutschas, Head of the Department of Vertebrate Zoology at St Petersburg University, delivered a report titled "Dinosaurs of Russia: Recent Finds and the Latest Research." The speaker stated that, 66 to 200 million years ago, dinosaurs were abundantly present in what is now modern Russia. These ancient reptiles inhabited all latitudes and ecosystems. However, only a few remains have survived to the present day, preventing scientists from fully assessing the species diversity of dinosaurs in Russia. This year, St Petersburg University hosted the popular science exhibition "Dinosaurs of Russia," featuring real bones of ancient reptiles discovered across various regions of Russia. The exhibition also included replicas of individual bones, sculptures, and informational models that offer insights into the prehistoric fauna of our country.

Olga Korableva, Professor in the Department of Economics of Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and Innovation at St Petersburg University, addressed the audience on the significance of creativity and flexible thinking within a knowledge-based economy. The expert provided examples of the role of extraordinary thinking in the development of human capital and the stimulation of technological entrepreneurship. According to one of the models of the corporate life cycle, the creativity stage is crucial, as it focuses all efforts on creating a new product or market.

Anna Volkova, Professor at St Petersburg University, concluded the session by wishing all participants scientific success and expressing confidence that the tradition of organising lecture sessions by the Russian Society "Znanie" as part of various forum events across the city would continue. She emphasised that these sessions would provide a valuable platform for uniting educators in the dissemination of reliable knowledge and the promotion of national scientific achievements.

Events dedicated to the celebration of the 30^th anniversary of the Faculty of Medicine — the Institute of Medicine at St Petersburg University

On 29 November 1994, the Academic Council of St Petersburg University made a decision to establish a medical faculty. On 29 November, in honour of the 30^th anniversary of medical education, a midday cannon shot was fired from the Naryshkin Bastion of the Peter and Paul Fortress. The honorary right to fire the shot was given to Yuri Natochin, Founding Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at St Petersburg University, Professor in the Department of Physiology at St Petersburg University, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The ceremony brought together students at St Petersburg University. Among them were activists, winners of contests and medical Olympiads. The Institute of Medicine at St Petersburg University received numerous congratulations from partners, friends, colleagues and graduates.

The business programme of events was opened by the conference "Medicine at St Petersburg University: history and modernity." Since the founding of the Faculty of Medicine at St Petersburg University, times have changed dramatically, many challenges have emerged, new medical devices, equipment, and tools have emerged, new materials and artificial intelligence are being introduced into medicine, said Sergey Mikushev, Vice-Rector for Research at St Petersburg University. All these processes lead to ever-increasing demand on the medical profession. Sergey Mikushev wished the Institute of Medicine at St Petersburg University to develop at an accelerated pace and train specialists who will be able to respond to the most complex challenges.

The plenary report at the conference was delivered by Yuri Natochin, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences. He recounted how it all began: "At the very beginning, we admitted only 25 people. The competition was three and a half to four people per place. It was the same as in any other medical university in the city. Four years later, the competition at the Faculty of Medicine at the University became more than ten people per place. It was higher than in other universities in the city, higher than for any other faculty of the University, including the most prestigious ones." The Faculty of Medicine developed quickly and very soon became a place for training the most talented students who were to become doctors.

As early as the first year, immediately after admission, all students received topics for their future term projects, said Yuri Natochin. The faculty held seminars where students could communicate with the best representatives of the profession: educators, scientists, and doctors at St Petersburg. Then, we came up with an idea to introduce the conference "Homo and Health." We still hold this conference today, attracting more than 1,000 participants annually. Practical classes for students were organised in the leading hospitals and medical centres of the city, which became University clinical bases.

This principle, which has proven its effectiveness, is incorporated into the university medical education today. St Petersburg University has 82 agreements with clinical bases, said Andrey Sarana, Director of the St Petersburg University Institute of Medicine. Teaching is conducted according to its own educational standards. The University offers programmes of all levels of training: from non-university level higher education to clinical residency programmes. "Today, we have 1,838 students, 679 clinical residency students, and 97 doctoral students. We have opened programmes in general medicine, dental medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. Last year, we opened a branch in Egypt, in the city of Cairo," said Andrey Sarana. 

The Institute of Medicine was established last autumn. It is an academic and research subdivision at St Petersburg University that unites the Faculty of Medicine, the Faculty of Dental Medicine and Medical Technologies, the Medical College, and the Centre for Medical Accreditation.

The guests and participants in the conference were also welcomed by Professor Hossam Hamdy, Chancellor of the Gulf Medical University in the United Arab Emirates: "I am very pleased to congratulate St Petersburg University on its 300th anniversary and 30 years of medical education. The University has made a significant contribution to the development of science and education of outstanding scientists and discoverers, whose contribution is highly valued throughout the world. The presence of a medical school as part of such a large University is an undoubted advantage. The students we teach today will begin practising in 2030. We do not know what the world will be like then, because technology and innovation are developing very rapidly, but we strive to give them the best education. I am confident that St Petersburg University can play an important role in the development of medicine and medical education."

Tatiana Semenova, Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, outlined the main trends in personnel policy in healthcare in her report. St Petersburg University is a worthy participant in all events held at the federal level within the framework of the implementation of personnel policy, said Tatiana Semenova. Today, as the Deputy Minister explained, human resources policy focuses mainly on forecasting which specialists will be needed in the long term, in what numbers and in what areas of medicine. It also focuses on how to retain specialists in the profession and prevent them from professional burnout. The horizon for training a specialist is very long as it takes, as a rule, more than eight years, which means that the system needs to have a forecast of what the healthcare system will be like in the coming years in order to quickly respond to changes, said Tatiana Semenova.

Zalim Balkizov, Director of the Institute of Training of Medical Education Specialists of the Russian Medical Academy of Continuing Professional Education, presented a report entitled "Medical education. Traditions and innovations." He revealed the main trends in the training of future doctors, including simulation technologies, the use of artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. Professor Dmitrii Shmatov, Head of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Institute of Medicine at St Petersburg University, spoke about the technologies to treat mitral insufficiency at the University clinic. The presentations were also delivered by undergraduate and postgraduate students in the University’s medical programme.

During the festive events, Irina Ganus, Senior Deputy Chairperson of the Committee on Science and Higher Education, conveyed a congratulatory address from the Governor of St Petersburg, Alexander Beglov. The Governor noted that the 30th anniversary is an important milestone in the history of medical education in our country. In a relatively short period of time, one of the leading institutions was opened. It combined the traditions of classical university education with an interdisciplinary approach to the training of highly qualified personnel for healthcare.

Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities at St Petersburg University, congratulated educators, students and graduates of the Institute of Medicine at St Petersburg University. She recalled the heated discussion that had been caused by the debate on whether medicine is serving medical goals or providing services. Despite the difficult discussions and convincing arguments, the medical community had come to the conclusion that medicine is serving medical goals, said Marina Lavrikova. She called the profession of a doctor the most noble of all professions.

Scientists, educators and administrative staff were awarded letters of gratitude from the Rector of St Petersburg University and the Committee on Science and Higher Education of St Petersburg. 

International activities

The following events were recently held at St Petersburg University.

Lectures at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Uzbekistan

On 15 and 18 November, lectures on the history and culture of China were delivered at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Uzbekistan by Nikolai Samoilov, Head of the Department of Theory of Social Development of Asian and African Countries at St Petersburg University.

Opening of a representative office of St Petersburg University in the Republic of Belarus

On 19 November, the grand opening of the new representative office of St Petersburg University took place in the Republic of Belarus (Minsk). The project is implemented in the format of the Belarusian-Russian Centre for Modern Educational Technologies at MITSO International University. The event was attended by: Vladimir Pozdniakov, Rector of MITSO International University; Sergey Andryushin, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at St Petersburg University; and representatives of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Belarus and the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) in the Republic of Belarus.

The first event, "Networking of students from Russia and Belarus," has already taken place in the new Representative Office of the University in Minsk. Presentations of student communities, and scientific and social projects were made by students from St Petersburg University.

Online lectures at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Spain

On 19 November, St Petersburg University and its Representative Office in the Kingdom of Spain held the online lecture "Topsy-turvy novel: 100 years of Fedin’s 'Cities and Years.'" The lecture was delivered by Nikolai Guskov, Associate Professor in the Department of the History of Russian Literature. On 21 November, there was an online lecture entitled "Charles Darwin and his theory: Russian reception." The lecture was delivered by Maxim Vinarski, Head of the Laboratory of Macro-Ecology and Biogeography of Invertebrates at St Petersburg University. On 28 November, there was an online lecture focused on teaching English and teaching grammar skills delivered by Nina Shcherbak, Associate Professor in the Department of English Philology and Cultural Linguistics at the University.

Lecture by the Director of the Research Centre for the Law of Central Asia, Kazakhstan, and Russia

On 19 November, St Petersburg University hosted an open lecture delivered by Sofiia Ushurova, Director of the Research Centre for the Law of Central Asia, Kazakhstan, and Russia at the Silk Road Institute for International and Comparative Law at Xi’an Jiaotong University. The lecture focused on the Belt and Road Initiative.

Lecture by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Russian Federation

On 19 November, St Petersburg University hosted an open lecture by U Thit Linn Ohn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar to the Russian Federation. During the lecture, the Ambassador shared insights from his diplomatic career. This event marked the beginning of the Myanmar Days in St Petersburg.

The Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation visits St Petersburg University

On 21 November, Rector of St Petersburg University Nikolay Kropachev met with Rahman Sahib oglu Mustafayev, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Azerbaijan to the Russian Federation. During the negotiations, the parties discussed the establishment of a joint university with St Petersburg University in the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Online lecture at the St Petersburg University Representative Office in Iran

On 25 November, the Representative Office of St Petersburg University in the Islamic Republic of Iran hosted an online lecture on the issues in interpretation and application of international treaties. 

Cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and the University of Kurdistan

A cooperation agreement has been signed between St Petersburg University and the University of Kurdistan (the Islamic Republic of Iraq). The text of the agreement can be found on the St Petersburg University portal in the list of Partner Universities in the International Cooperation section.

Organisation of the teaching and learning process

Over the past week, 24 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to transfer to St Petersburg University and 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. 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 Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication; the Institute of History; the Institute of Philosophy; the Faculty of Biology; the School of International Relations; the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Control Processes; the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences; the Faculty of Sociology; the Faculty of Physics; the Faculty of Philology; the Faculty of Economics; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology.

The Applicant Day

In the past weekend, St Petersburg University held the Applicant Day. The exhibition offered a comprehensive overview of the University’s academic programmes, science and research, scholarship opportunities, international student admissions, as well as academic competitions and Olympiads hosted by St Petersburg University. In separate sections, current University students shared their sports achievements and spoke about opportunities for sports, student team activities, volunteering, and extracurricular pursuits.

Aleksandr Babich, Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions at St Petersburg University, highlighted the accomplishments of the University’s graduates. "Over the 300 years of the University’s history, many of our graduates have become distinguished figures in government, politics, culture, and, notably, in science. For instance, Alexey Ekimov, a St Petersburg University alumnus, recently won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his groundbreaking discovery and development of quantum dots. We take great pride in the achievements of our graduates, as their successes reflect the high calibre of our academic and research endeavours," remarked Aleksandr Babich.

Aleksandr Babich also underlined the benefits of studying at St Petersburg University for the prospective students. "When you choose to study at our University, regardless of the educational level you enter, you will find an academic programme that suits your interests, allowing you to build a personalised learning path and receive a high-quality education," Aleksandr Babich added.

Aleksandr Babich encouraged future students to actively engage in intellectual competitions, such as: the St Petersburg University Olympiad for schoolchildren; the Olympiad on technopreneurship for schoolchildren "TechnoOlymp" and the All-Russian Student Olympiad "I am a Professional." Additionally, visitors learned about scholarships, extracurricular activities, and employer-sponsored education opportunities at the University.

Aleksandr Khurshudian, Deputy Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions and Executive Secretary of the Admissions Committee at St Petersburg University, provided detailed insights into the admissions process. He announced that on 20 January 2025, the University’s website will publish key information regarding admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year. For those applying to bachelor’s and specialist’s programmes, applicants will typically need to submit only their Unified State Examination results for most areas of study. Aleksandr Khurshudian also explained the enrolment competition process, how scores are calculated, what individual achievements are taken into account, and the allocation of employer-sponsored positions.

Aleksandr Khurshudian, Deputy Senior Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions, also emphasised that the University’s Admissions Committee is always ready to answer questions from prospective students and explain the admissions process in clear and understandable terms. "There are many talented applicants eager to study at St Petersburg University. Don’t be intimidated by the application process. Your primary focus right now should be on excelling in your Unified State Exams. When submitting your documents, make sure to set your priorities correctly. In any case, the staff of the Admissions Committee is always here to answer your queries about the application process," commented Aleksandr Khurshudian regarding the upcoming 2025 admissions campaign.

As part of the Applicant Day programme, the staff of the Psychological Clinic at St Petersburg University conducted a master class on career guidance. The psychologist Mariia Leonteva noted that many people choose future jobs based on demand or family expectations rather than personal preferences, which often leads to burnout. She emphasised the importance of pursuing what one truly enjoys. To understand your inclinations, you can assess your potential and abilities through specialist testing or by seeking input from relatives. "It is also crucial to see yourself through the eyes of others to understand your capabilities. In essence, developing self-awareness is key, as making a decision is one of the most challenging aspects of choosing a profession," explained Mariia Leonteva. 

Mariia Leonteva advised school students to take their time for self-discovery and not hesitate to explore different fields. "Choosing a profession today is almost like preparing to launch a spaceship on a specific trajectory. Navigating the multitude of career options means selecting a direction for your own path. Career guidance master classes serve as a space for introspection: assessing where you are now, identifying your key abilities, and determining your next steps," said Mariia Leonteva.

The Applicant Day programme also included a dedicated event for foreign citizens interested in studying at St Petersburg University. The participants learned about the admissions process for international applicants, intellectual competitions that can enhance admission chances, and the required documents for the University admission. For the convenience of foreign applicants abroad, the event was broadcast online.

The cultural programme of the Applicant Day featured a presentation titled "Three Centuries of the University’s History" and guided tours of St Petersburg University’s museums and collections located on Universitetskaya Embankment. The participants visited the Mineralogical Museum, the Palaeontology Museum, the Petrography Museum, and the Dmitri Mendeleev Museum and Archives.

Over 4,500 people joined the online broadcast and watched the recorded events of the Applicant Day. The questions of online viewers were answered by the staff of the Information Centre of the Admissions Committee of St Petersburg University.

The results of the research paper contest "300^th years of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg University. History in people"

The St Petersburg Congress "Professional education, science and innovations in the 21^st century" has summed up the results of the research paper contest "300^th years of the Russian Academy of Sciences and St Petersburg University. History in people." The winners are five early-career researchers, three of whom represent St Petersburg University. The contest was organised by the Committee on Science and Higher Education of St Petersburg.

The contest included undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students at educational and scientific organisations of St Petersburg. Their papers present the results of research or analytical reviews on the history of Russian science and higher education.

Nikita Goltsov, a doctoral student at St Petersburg University, is one of three winners of the contest representing St Petersburg University. His paper focuses on research by Yuri Novitsky (1882-1922), who was a lawyer, a legal historian, University Professor, and a saint of the Russian Orthodox Church.

In 2022, the book New Martyr Yuri Novitsky: In Service to the Law and to the Truth was presented at St Petersburg Historical Forum at St Petersburg University. Nikita Goltsov is one of the authors of this book. The illustrated album published by St Petersburg University Publishing House is the first scientific biography of the new martyr, revealing the most striking and important periods of his life. The initiator of the work on the book was Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University. The book starts with the preface written by Nikolay Kropachev and the address of the Honorary Doctor of St Petersburg University, His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia. You can read it on the website of the St Petersburg University Publishing House.

The work by Ekaterina Ivleva, a student at St Petersburg University, is dedicated to the theorist and practitioner of translation Iurii Levin. She chose the topic of her work as the outstanding literary scholar and historian of artistic translation Iurii Levin was the brother of Ekaterina’s great-grandfather. 

Iurii Levin (1920-2006) was a representative of the St Petersburg school of comparative literary studies. He studied and completed his postgraduate studies at the Faculty of Philology at Leningrad State University. In 1951, he defended his candidate dissertation on 19^th-century English literature. In her research, Ekaterina Ivleva spoke about the important contribution of Iurii Levin to the development of translation studies. 

Another winner of the contest is Igor Savelyev, a doctoral student in the Department of Quantum Mechanics at St Petersburg University. He devoted his research to superheavy elements, one of the most important achievements of world science at the beginning of the 21^st century. He particularly focused on the development of the famous University researcher Dmitri Mendeleyev, the creator of the Periodic Table. This invention conveniently groups elements with similar chemical properties, but in the area of superheavy elements, deviations from general patterns may occur, said Igor Savelyev.

Tatiana Chernigovskaya is an honorary doctor of Kazan Federal University

Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University, Member of the Russian Academy of Education, has taken part in the celebration of the 220^th anniversary of Kazan Federal University. As part of the extended meeting of the Academic Council of Kazan Federal University, the scholar was awarded the honorary title. The petition of the Academic Council of the Institute of Philology and Intercultural Communication at Kazan Federal University to award Tatiana Chernigovskaya the highest honorary title of the university "Honorary Doctor of Kazan Federal University" was supported unanimously by the Academic Council of Kazan Federal University.

During the ceremony, Tatiana Chernigovskaya emphasised that universities, including Kazan Federal University, play a vital role in shaping the country’s future. "Kazan Federal University is an absolutely legendary place. My soul is in awe. It is impossible to overestimate the work of everyone present in this hall. Together with you, we are shaping our future," said Tatiana Chernigovskaya. Earlier, at the 5^th Kazan International Linguistic Summit, Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St Petersburg University, gave a plenary report titled "Language and the brain: 21^st century."

Tatiana Chernigovskaya is one of the leading experts in the field of cognitive sciences, including psycholinguistics, neuropsychology, and neurophysiology. In 2020, she initiated transformation of the Laboratory for Cognitive Studies into an independent subdivision of the University, i.e. the Institute for Cognitive Studies. In 2010, Tatiana Chernigovskaya was awarded the honorary title of Honoured Scientist of the Russian Federation. In 2019, she became a member of the Scientific Council on the Methodology of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Research under the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences. In 2023, the online course "Neurolinguistics" created under her leadership was recognised as the winner of the international GMA Awards.

The title of Honorary Doctor of Kazan Federal University was awarded to such outstanding figures of science and culture as the writer Vasily Aksyonov; the poetess and translator Bella Akhmadulina; the famous diplomat Yevgeny Primakov; the Nobel Prize laureate in physics (2003) Vitaly Ginzburg; Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation Valery Zorkin; Director of the State Hermitage Museum, Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University Mikhail Piotrovsky; and other famous scholars, educators, and politicians.

Cultural events during December

Elena Lebedkina, Head of Exhibitions, Museums, Libraries and Publications Department, presented a digest of the University’s cultural events in December.

Exhibition "Libraries of sieged Leningrad"

As part of the joint work of the Smolny Museum and St Petersburg University, an exhibition was opened to develop the main exhibition "Libraries of sieged Leningrad," which presented the materials about the work of the M Gorky Scientific Library and books by the University staff published during the years of the Siege of Leningrad to name just a few. Digital copies of the books presented at the exhibition can be found in the St Petersburg University Repository.

Opening of the exhibition "Colourful drafts"

On 6 December, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University opens the exhibition "Colourful drafts." It combines the designer jewellery of Tina Khmelnitskaya and the painting-installations of Miroslava Liubina, who is Tina Khmelnitskaya’s eight-year-old daughter.

Presentations of St Petersburg University publications at the International Book Fair for High-Quality Fiction & Non-Fiction

On December 7, the International Book Fair for High-Quality Fiction & Non-Fiction presents two publications from St Petersburg University: "Three centuries of St Petersburg University" and "A trap for genius" (a collection of essays on the life and work of Dmitri Mendeleev).

Online exhibition "Personal fund of Vladislav Ravdonikas. On his 130^th anniversary"

On 9 December, the online exhibition "Personal fund of Vladislav Ravdonikas. On his 130^th anniversary" opens. The archive of the University’s Professor, historian and archaeologist Vladislav Ravdonikas was transferred to the collection of the St Petersburg University History Museum in 1991.

Opening of the exhibition dedicated to the 150^th anniversary of Olga Dobiash‑Rozhdestvenskaya

On 11 December, the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University opens an exhibition dedicated to the 150^th anniversary of Olga Dobiash‑Rozhdestvenskaya, a classic of Russian medieval studies and the founder of the school of Latin palaeography in Russia.

Opening of the exhibition of illustrations for the book "Vladislav Khodasevich. European Night"

On 11 December, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University opens an exhibition of illustrations for the book "Vladislav Khodasevich. European Night" by the artist Valery Mishin.

Opening of the exhibition "Ivan Fedorov and the beginning of publishing in the East Slavic lands"

On 13 December, the exhibition "Ivan Fedorov and the beginning of publishing in the East Slavic lands" opens in the corridor of the Twelve Collegia building. It is presented by the Russian National Library and dedicated to the Russian first printer and educator.

Online exhibition "On the 130^th anniversary of Pyotr Lukirsky"

On 13 December, the online exhibition "On the 130^th anniversary of Pyotr Lukirsky" opens. It is dedicated to St Petersburg University graduate Pyotr Lukirsky, a Soviet physicist and Member of the USSR Academy of Sciences.

Book club meeting

On 14 December, a book club meeting will be held at the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University, where Arthur Schnitzler’s Dream Story will be discussed.

Ceremony of transferring the exhibit to the museum’s fund

At 3pm on 20 December, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University will host a ceremony to transfer a caricature of Vladimir Nabokov from the magazine Stolitsa i Usadby (Capital and Estates) to the museum’s collection. The author of the caricature was Viktor Deni, a Russian and Soviet graphic artist, a caricaturist, one of the founders of the Soviet political poster. 

Opening of the exhibition "Sparks of Christmas"

On 20 December, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum at St Petersburg University opens Elena Kamaeva’s exhibition "Sparks of Christmas." Her work, according to the artist herself, lives by the laws of cinema. Nostalgia for the images of the past, the dawn of cinema, makes the world of her bizarre works related to silent and black-and-white cinema.

Opening of the exhibition "Karl Bryullov — an artist of the Golden Age"

On 20 December, the M Gorky Scientific Library at St Petersburg University opens the book and illustration exhibition "Karl Bryullov — an artist of the Golden Age" to mark the 225^th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest Russian painters of the 19^th century.

Online exhibition "180 years since the birth of the outstanding judicial figure Anatoly Koni"

On 23 December, the online exhibition "180^th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding judicial figure Anatoly Koni" opensto mark the anniversary of Anatoly Koni, a Russian lawyer, a judge, a statesman, a public figure, a judicial orator, and Professor at Petrograd University (1918–1922).

Opening of the exhibition "Through the pages of pre-revolutionary magazines. How Christmas and New Year were celebrated in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries"

On 25 December, the exhibition "Through the pages of pre-revolutionary magazines. How Christmas and New Year were celebrated in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries" opens.

Liturgy of St John Chrysostom

On 1 December, the Liturgy of St John Chrysostom by Pyotr Tchaikovsky was performed for the first time in the century as part of a church service at the Smolny Convent of the Resurrection. The cycle of hymns was once again heard by city residents thanks to the support of St Petersburg University, which actively promotes spiritual initiatives aimed at strengthening moral values ​​in society.

The work, written by Pyotr Tchaikovsky in 1878, was first performed in the church of the University of Kiev. However, after the revolutionary events, the performance of the liturgy as part of the service was interrupted, and the composition disappeared from church practice for many years. The return of the liturgy to the church space as part of the current event emphasises the importance of preserving spiritual values in modern society and is a significant step in strengthening the connection between musical art and Orthodox culture.

Archpriest Pyotr Mukhin, Senior Priest of Smolny Cathedral, Dean of the churches in the universities of the St Petersburg diocese, Senior Priest of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul in the Twelve Collegia building at St Petersburg University, said that at the present time, not only the church, but also educational institutions contribute to the strengthening of spiritual traditions and the formation of moral values among young people. In this context, the active participation of St Petersburg University in organising the event emphasises its role in the moral education of young people and support for state policy on the preservation of Russian values.

During the opening of a memorial plaque at St Petersburg University in honour of the rite of minor consecration of the Church of the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia, the Rector of St Petersburg University noted that the University is an important centre of spiritual and cultural education, and the preservation of Orthodox traditions is one of its key tasks.

"St Petersburg University is our organisational partner and leading university, playing a significant role in the spiritual and moral education of not only our city, but also the country. Throughout the calendar year, more than two hundred events are held jointly with St Petersburg University: all kinds of forums, round tables, and sports competitions. These are a lot of good, kind deeds," said Archpriest Pyotr Mukhin. "Together with Rector of the University Nikolay Kropachev, we decided that this significant event would be very useful for students. We can say that St Petersburg University is the main participant today."

The Rector expressed confidence that such initiatives not only enrich the cultural life of the city, but also help young people understand the importance of spiritual heritage and its influence on modern society. According to the Archpriest, cooperation between the University and religious organisations contributes to the creation of a more harmonious and united society and is an important step towards the revival of spirituality and the formation of an active civic position among students.

The performance of the liturgy during the service took place with the participation of St Petersburg University, the Foundation for Assistance to the Restoration of Historical and Cultural Sites, and the Inter-University Association for Assistance to Spiritual and Moral Education "Pokrov."

The Divine Liturgy is not just a cultural monument, but also a wonderful opportunity to ensure interaction between the university community and the spiritual sphere, emphasised Dmitrii Shmonin, Director of the Institute of Theology at St Petersburg University. The Liturgy of St John Chrysostom in the Smolny Convent of the Resurrection was performed by the choir of St Petersburg State Academic Capella. Nikolai Kurbatov, Conductor of the Capella, said that performing Pyotr Tchaikovsky’s work in liturgical practice is a way to honour the history and culture that have shaped society over the centuries.

During the service, the choral performance of prayerful chants filled the cathedral with deep and voluminous sounds, and those present could feel the unity. About 700 people came to take part in the service, including teachers, students and cadets of educational institutions.