Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Signing a cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and Alfa-Bank JSC

St Petersburg University and Alfa‑Bank JSC have signed a cooperation agreement in the field of training banking personnel, organising internships for the University students, and implementing joint scientific and educational projects. The document was signed by Anastasia Yarmosh, Senior Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Partnership at St Petersburg University, and Anton Kuznetsov, Regional Manager and Manager of the St Petersburg Branch of Alfa‑Bank.

The agreement envisages the bank’s participation in the training of highly qualified specialists in the professional areas of the bank’s activities and the joint development and implementation of innovative projects using modern digital solutions that are currently used in the work of Alfa-Bank. According to Anastasia Yarmosh, St Petersburg University has currently signed over 1,000 agreements with large Russia’s and international companies, educational and scientific organisations.

The partners will pay special attention to organising practical training and internships for students at St Petersburg University at Alfa‑Bank and employment of the University graduates. Students will be able to participate in the competition for the bank’s personal scholarships, and academic staff at St Petersburg University will be able to participate in internships and corporate training programmes. The agreement will allow Alfa-Bank employees to undergo advanced training and professional retraining at the University. Today, St Petersburg University offers more than 800 non-degree programmes in a wide variety of fields.

Alfa‑Bank employees will take part in the teaching and learning process within the framework of the academic courses and training areas at the University. They will propose topics for term papers and graduation projects. They will advise students and act as reviewers of graduation projects. The agreement also stipulates joint scientific and educational events, master classes, workshops, and business games.

Signing a cooperation agreement between St Petersburg University and the Association of Builders of St Petersburg

St Petersburg University and the Association of Builders of St Petersburg have agreed to cooperate in the areas of implementing joint scientific and educational projects and training highly qualified personnel for the building and construction industry. The signing ceremony was attended by Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, and Aleksandr Vakhmistrov, President of the Association.

The partnership involves work aimed at developing the professional skills and competencies of employees of building and construction companies that are members of the association and conducting applied research in the interests of the industry. The University and the Association, which includes about 900 building and construction companies (including LSR Group, Setl Group, Glavstroy St Petersburg, and Etalon Group), are planning to joint their efforts to develop educational projects with the aim of training highly qualified personnel in demand in the building and construction industry.

According to Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, such cooperation will help to identify key aspects that are important for employers, requiring in-depth study and inclusion in the current activities of the University. "I am confident that if we exchange experience between our organisations, ensure cooperation in improving the qualifications of building and construction industry personnel, and train qualified personnel (lawyers, managers, engineers, physicists, chemists and specialists in other fields), we will contribute to the active development of the entire building and construction industry," said the Rector.

President of the Association of Builders of St Petersburg Aleksandr Vakhmistrov recalled his years of study at the Faculty of Physics at St Petersburg University and emphasised that the establishment of partnerships will bring significant results. "The signing of the cooperation agreement between the Association of Builders of St Petersburg and St Petersburg University will be the starting point for long-term and systematic work. Its goal is to bring the quality of education closer to the requirements that are currently imposed on specialists in the building and construction industry. In this regard, our organisation, like no one else, is able to formulate the personnel needs of the industry. Joint development of programmes with the University to improve the system of personnel training and to improve the qualifications of specialists therefore seems to me to be the most optimal solution to the problem," said Aleksandr Vakhmistrov.

St Petersburg University wins the Russoft 2024 award in the "Federal leader" category 

St Petersburg University made it into the top 5 of the ranking and was named the winner of the Russoft-2024 award for the best educational institutions in IT specialist training in the "Federal Leader" category. Moreover, St Petersburg University’s achievements were recognised not only by software companies in St Petersburg. According to IT employers from various regions of Russia, the University was ranked second nationwide, improving its position by four places in just one year.

The annual award of the Russian association of software companies "Russoft" is given to higher education institutions that are committed to proving education and training in IT to contribute to reducing a skills shortage in information technology. The winners are chosen based on the results of a survey of software companies. The questionnaire is a set of questions that put emphasis on what feedback employers are giving on the quality of training.

This year, more than 300 software development companies took part in the survey, and the final university rankings "Russoft 2024" included 130 higher education institutions in Russia. According to the results of the survey, St Petersburg University is a laureate of the award in the nomination "Federal leader," retained its position in the top 5 and remained the only classical university in the leading positions. Additionally, St Petersburg University was ranked second in the top 40 universities as evaluated by companies from other regions.

Today, St Petersburg University offers more than 50 degree programmes in information technology and software development, as well as 14 non-degree programmes in this field. These programmes are very popular among the University’s applicants. Among these programmes are the following: "Applied Mathematics, Programming and Artificial Intelligence", "Applied Mathematics, Fundamental Informatics and Programming", "Modern Programming", and "Artificial Intelligence and Data Science" to name just a few.

In accordance with St Petersburg University’s independently established educational standards, since 2018, all degree programmes offered at the University (over 500 programmes in total) have included digital competencies. Additionally, more than 40 non-degree professional training programmes aimed at enhancing digital literacy are being implemented. The University has also developed and introduced over 30 online courses and online programmes related to IT. These include the following: six courses on blockchain technologies; three courses on quantum computing and programming quantum computers; two courses on information security; as well as online programmes in mobile and web analytics; courses on the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and machine learning, and others.

St Petersburg University has signed over 1,000 agreements with major Russia’s and international companies, educational and scientific organisations. Representatives of employers are members of academic programme councils and state examination committees. They also suggest topics for student graduation projects.

The University has entered into over 50 agreements with IT companies to organise the practical training of students. These include partnerships with Gazprom Neft, Digital Solutions, Skoltech, Yandex, VK Lab, and others. Students of St Petersburg University do regular internships in these companies. Together with partner companies, the University develops academic programmes. Recently, the University has opened the master’s programme "Artificial Intelligence and Data Science," developed jointly with Sber.

The results of the "Professional Development" competition of the Vladimir Potanin Charitable Foundation

The Expert Council of the Vladimir Potanin Foundation has summed up the results of the 4^th cycle of the Professional Development competition. The jury members selected 86 works: 49 in the nomination "Individual Trajectory" and 37 in the nomination "Institutional Experience." The winners were from 34 regions of Russia, the largest number (eight) were from St Petersburg, including two from St Petersburg University. As a result of the selection, Sergey Savinov, Associate Professor in the Department of Analytical Chemistry, and Aleksandra Koval Associate Professor in the Department of World Economy, received scholarship support.

Sergey Savinov earned the highest score from the jury in the nomination "Individual Trajectory." In his competition work, the scientist presented a step-by-step plan for improving his own skills in the field of academic activity. He focused on three components of successful professional development: independent study of new theoretical material, training in advanced training courses, and development of laboratory practical training.

The ideas proposed by Aleksandra Koval will help create a mentoring system in universities and will also contribute to the professionalism of teaching staff. Thus, her work "Business workshops in academic master’s programmes" will help future economists improve their own career trajectory. The development received the highest score from the jury in the nomination "Institutional Experience" and will be further implemented at St Petersburg University.

For several years in a row, St Petersburg University has become the leader in the number of Vladimir Potanin Foundation awards, and has also repeatedly taken leading positions in the ranking of Russian universities according to the Foundation. The inter-programme competition "Professional Development" has been held since 2023. It is aimed at improving the qualifications and professional development of employees of universities, and socially oriented, sports and museum organisations.

Awarding the University staff and students

By Executive Order of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin, Mikhail Piotrovsky, the outstanding orientalist, Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University, General Director of the State Hermitage Museum, Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who turned 80 on 9 December, was awarded the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland," 1^st class. The award was given for a great contribution to the development of national culture and art and many years of fruitful work.

Mikhail Piotrovsky is a Full Cavalier of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland." He already has such awards of the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th class (2019, 2009, 2004). He has been working at the Hermitage since 1991, and since 1992 he has held the position of General Director of the Hermitage. The social and academic activities of Mikhail Piotrovsky have always been associated with the University. In 1967, he successfully completed his studies at Leningrad State University, defending his dissertation at the Department of Arabic Philology. Mikhail Piotrovsky was elected Dean of the Faculty of Asian and African Studies at St Petersburg University at the meeting of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University in May 2013. He also heads the Department of History of the Ancient East Countries and the Department of Museum Management and Historical Monuments Preservation. He conducts practical classes and lectures.

Two University professors were awarded gratitude from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin for their merits in academic and research endeavours and their dedication to training qualified specialists. They are:Marina Charykova, Head of the Department of Geochemistry at St Petersburg University, and Vladimir Kazakov, an expert in Russian syntax, Doctor of Philology.

Professor Marina Charykova is a well-known scientist in the field of thermodynamics of geochemical processes, physical and chemical modelling of geochemical processes and determination of thermodynamic properties of rare minerals and in the field of environmental geochemistry. She began working at the University immediately after defending her candidate’s dissertation and has been sharing her knowledge and experience with students for over 35 years, involving them in research activities, organising youth schools and helping to hold conferences for young specialists.

When asked what inspires her in her work, Marina Charykova answered that it is the support of people: "During my student years and at the first stage of my scientific activity, my teacher, Professor Valentin Filippov, had a very big influence on me. My colleagues have always supported me. Perhaps, today I am more than ever inspired by communication with students."

Marina Charykova is the author of more than 200 scientific publications, including four monographs and five textbooks. She is a member of the Russian Mineralogical Society and the Academic Council of the St Petersburg Society of Naturalists, and regularly participates in organising and holding St Petersburg University Olympiads for high school and university students.

Vladimir Kazakov, Professor in the Department of Russian at St Petersburg University, is one of the leading experts in Russian syntax. He is the author of about 100 academic works, including three monographs and two teacher’s books on the syntax and stylistics of the modern Russian language.

For four years, Vladimir Kazakov taught Russian in Guinea, at Gamal Abdel Nasser University of Conakry, where he taught more than a hundred students. In 1994, he successfully defended his doctoral dissertation "Syntax of the name of the action in modern Russian." Over the years, Vladimir Kazakov has headed the Department of Russian as a Foreign Language and Methods of Its Teaching at St Petersburg University, taken part in the work of the Council for the Culture of Speech under the Governor of St Petersburg, worked as the Senior Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Philology at St Petersburg University and acted as the Dean of the Faculty of Philology at St Petersburg University. Among the awards of Professor Vladimir Kazakov are the Certificate of Honour of the Ministry of Higher Education of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), the Certificate of the Committee on Science and Higher Education of the Government of St Petersburg and gratitude from the Rector of the University.

The Lawyer’s Day

The professional holiday, the Lawyer’s Day, was traditionally celebrated in Russia on 3 December. The celebrations took place in St Petersburg and Moscow.

In St Petersburg, the winners of the annual legal award "Justice" were awarded. The winners of the award were Viktor Melnik, a prosecutor of St Petersburg and a graduate of St Petersburg University, Denis Laktionov, Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation, President of the Chamber of Lawyers of the Leningrad Region, a graduate of St Petersburg University; Elena Moskal, President of the Notary Chamber of the Leningrad Region, a graduate of St Petersburg University; Ulvi Aliev, Head of the Department for Regional Legislation and Registration of Municipal Charters of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Justice for St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region; Elena Timoshina, Professor of St Petersburg University; and Marina Gorlacheva, Associate Professor of St Petersburg University, Director of the St Petersburg Expert and Legal Centre, Deputy Chairperson of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs for St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

Every year, the award is given to the best lawyers of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region for their contribution to the development of the rule of law, legal education of citizens, legal assistance and support for residents of the city and region, and active public activities.

The laureates and guests of the ceremony were greeted by the Governor of St Petersburg, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University Alexander Beglov. The Governor recalled that the St Petersburg (Leningrad) law school has produced and educated many statesmen for Russia. "It is very important that St Petersburg University graduates care about the country and our city. Thanks to Russian lawyers, law and order remain the basis of society. The profession of a lawyer is very complex. Representatives of this specialty are in demand in all spheres of life: at enterprises, in the city administration and in the Russia’s government. The more carefully draft laws and regulations are developed, the more protected are the residents of our city," said Alexander Beglov.

According to Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University, Chairman of the Interregional branch of the All-Russian public organisation "Association of Lawyers of Russia" for St Petersburg and the Leningrad region, the award "Justice" enables us to recognise the achievements of those who contribute to the development of democratic institutions and the rule of law and actively participate in professional and public life.

"This award serves to recognise the merits and motivation of those who strive to improve the legal culture in the Russian Federation, working to solve key problems that the state faces today. It is especially gratifying that among the award winners are employees of St Petersburg University, the oldest university in the country, which has been training truly outstanding lawyers throughout its history. This award is another convincing proof of the professionalism of the University staff," said Nikolay Kropachev, Rector of St Petersburg University.

Among the outstanding law graduates at the University are: Vladimir Putin, the main graduate at St Petersburg University — the President of the Russian Federation; 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; Irina Podnosova, Chairman of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University, Honorary Doctor of the University; Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation, Member of the Board of Trustees of St Petersburg University; and Sergei Mavrin, Deputy Chairman of the Constitutional Court of the Russian Federation to name just a few.

This year, Viktor Melnik, Prosecutor of St Petersburg, a graduate of St Petersburg University, was awarded for many years of work and a great personal contribution to strengthening the rule of law, training highly professional lawyers, public activities, and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens. Since 2012, he has served in the Prosecutor’s Office of St Petersburg, and was appointed to the position of city prosecutor by Presidential Executive Order in 2021.

Elena Timoshina, Professor in the Department of Theory and History of State and Law at St Petersburg University, was recognised as the best in the nomination "For achievements in legal science." She has been teaching at St Petersburg University for more than 25 years, giving courses on the theory of law and state, the history of legal and political doctrines of Russia, the fundamentals of analytical law and others. Elena Timoshina is a co-author of the online courses "Theory of Law and State" and "Fundamentals of Law". She also heads the bachelor’s programme "Law".

In 2024, Professor Elena Timoshina and her colleagues published the book "Three Realms of Law: Validity, Efficacy, Legitimacy." The scientists substantiated the relationship between three approaches (value-normative, psychological and behavioural) to understanding why law has binding force and operates in society, and showed the possibilities of using them to explain the validity and efficacy of national legal order and international law. The publication was presented at the St Petersburg International Legal Forum.

Marina Gorlacheva, Associate Professor of St Petersburg University, Director of the St Petersburg Expert and Legal Centre, Deputy Chairperson of the Public Council under the Ministry of Internal Affairs for St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, was awarded for her great contribution to the consolidation of the legal community of St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. She makes a great contribution to the development of arbitration, entrepreneurial activity in St Petersburg and increasing the efficiency of interaction between government agencies and city residents.

Denis Laktionov, Vice-President of the Federal Chamber of Advocates of the Russian Federation, President of the Chamber of Lawyers of the Leningrad Region, a graduate of St Petersburg University, was awarded in the nomination "For achievements in legal practice." He specialises in complex criminal economic cases and achieves positive results for his clients. He is actively involved in legal support of business, representing the interests of organisations and citizens in civil and arbitration disputes.

The winner of the nomination "For a great contribution to the legal education of citizens" was Elena Moskal, President of the Notary Chamber of the Leningrad Region. She was elected to this position in 2002. Colleagues note that in her work, Elena Moskal is distinguished by a competent and responsible approach to conducting business, attentiveness and meticulousness when checking information and documents, the ability to feel and understand people, empathise with those who ask for help.

Ulvi Aliev, Head of the Department for Regional Legislation and Registration of Municipal Charters of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Justice for St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, received an award in the nomination "For legal assistance to refugees, participants in the special military operation and their families." Since the autumn of 2022, he has been organising large-scale events to provide free legal assistance to participants in the special military operation, refugees and internally displaced persons from the territories of the Kursk Region, the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Donetsk People’s Republic, and the Ukraine.

The Lawyer of the Year award ceremony took place in Moscow. The Russia’s best lawyers received awards for their contribution to legal science and practice. Mikhail Schwarts, Professor and Head of the Department of Civil Procedure at St Petersburg University, was awarded the prize in the nomination "For contribution to legal science."

Professor Mikhail Schwarts has been teaching at St Petersburg University for over 20 years. Since 2017, he has been heading the Department of Civil Procedure at St Petersburg University. He conducts practical classes on civil and arbitration procedure, bankruptcy, enforcement proceedings, public speaking and many other disciplines. He heads a master’s programme at St Petersburg University. The lecture halls where Mikhail Schwarts conducts classes are always full. His students love him and his colleagues respect him.

In 2007, he was awarded the legal prize "Themis" for achievements in teaching and research activities. In 2014, for many years of fruitful work on the development and improvement of the teaching and learning process, significant contribution to the training of highly qualified specialists, he was awarded an honorary diploma of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

Professor Mikhail Schwarts takes part in the development of practical recommendations on the most pressing issues in substantive and procedural law. He is a member of the scientific advisory council of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation. He is also a member of the scientific and methodological council of educational organisations and departments of competition law and antimonopoly regulation of the Federal Antimonopoly Service of the Russian Federation. He is a member of the scientific advisory council of the Federal Bailiff Service of the Russian Federation, the Federal Bailiff Service of the Russian Federation Administration for St Petersburg. He is also a member of the council for improving arbitration proceedings under the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation and other associations.

Results of St Petersburg University’s participation in the All-Russian competition of student self-government organisations

The Student Council of St Petersburg University has won the bronze medal at the All-Russian competition of student self-government organisations, establishing itself as one of the best-organised student councils among universities in the country.

In the final of the contest, 106 student council leaders from 31 regions of Russia shared their experiences in creating effective working structures and organising various projects. The St Petersburg University Student Council was represented by Anastasiia Shkonda, a second-year student in the master’s programme "Methods of Applied Mathematics and Computer Science in Control Problems." She spoke about the work of the students and lecturers of St Petersburg University in organising the annual SPbU Student Fest, which unites students of Russia’s oldest university and helps first-year students to immerse in student life.

The expert jury assessed the effectiveness, long-term sustainability, manufacturability, and scalability of the systems, models, and practices of organising student councils proposed by the contestants. In the category "Best organisation of the activities of the student council of an educational organisation," the St Petersburg University Student Council, participating in the contest for the first time, secured third place with a score of 115 points. The winner was National Research University "Moscow Power Engineering Institute," while the second place was taken by Moscow Polytechnic University.

The All-Russian contest of best practices in organising the activities of student councils of educational institutions of higher education is held with the participation of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. Student councils from universities and their structural departments are eligible to participate. The aim of the contest is to develop student initiatives and disseminate the best practices of student councils. There are 12 nominations in the contest: Best Practice of Working with Academic Groups, Elders and Mentors; Assistance in Employment and Career Guidance; Support for Student Families; Organisation of a System for Students’ Opinions Research; and others.

Organisation of the teaching and learning process

Over the past week, 31 enquiries were addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. The majority of enquiries relate to preparation of various documents. Classes are held in due order according to the timetable.

Over the past period, 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 Philosophy; the Institute of Chemistry; the Faculty of Foreign Languages; the Faculty of Arts; the Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty; the Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science; the School of International Relations; the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Control Processes; the Faculty of Physics; the Faculty of Philology; and the College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology.

Procedure for admission to bachelor’s, specialist’s and master’s programmes; the list of entrance examinations for admissions to bachelor’s and specialist’s programmes

The Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation issued Executive Order No 821 "On approval of the procedure for admission to academic programmes of higher education — bachelor’s programmes, specialist’s programmes, and master’s programmes" dated 27 November 2024 and Executive Order No 820 "On approval of the list of entrance examinations for admission to academic programmes of higher education — bachelor’s programmes and specialist’s programmes" dated 27 November 2024.

Information on the admissions to bachelor’s, specialist’s, and master’s programmes at St Petersburg University in 2025, which will be carried out on the basis of the above-mentioned regulatory legal acts, is presented in the video project "Admission Digest."

Criteria for assessing the results of the interview upon admissions to aspirantura programmes

St Petersburg University is introducing entrance examinations for aspirantura programmes in the form of an interview. As Dean of the Faculty of Law Sergei Belov reported, the results of the preparation and defence of dissertations in legal fields were analysed and criteria for assessing the results of the interview for admission to aspirantura programmes were developed.

1. Relevance of the topic of the proposed dissertation research (theoretical significance; practical significance; originality; connection with the problems of law enforcement practice; and intersectoral/interdisciplinary nature to name just a few).
2. The presence of published academic articles (quartile in the Higher Assessment Committee list; relevance to the proposed topic of the dissertation research; and absence of co-authorship to name just a few).
3. Experience of presenting a report at a scientific (scientific and practical) conference (level of scientific event; presence of discussion on the report; and presentation in the plenary part to name just a few).
4. Experience in implementing scientific projects (in a team or individually; grants of the Russian Science Foundation; University grants; other grants).
5. Participation in the student scientific society (chairman of the student scientific societies; and head of the scientific circle to name just a few).
6. Availability of a written reference from a supervisor (potential supervisor of a doctoral student; supervisor of a master’s graduation project; head of a creative team).
7. The presence of an employer’s recommendation for doctoral studies, approval by the employer of the research topic, confirmation of the relevance of the topic for legal practice.

The interview results are assessed in points. Applicants who do not score the required minimum points are not admitted to the entrance exams. If the sum of points obtained as a result of the entrance exams is equal, the rating of the applicants, compiled based on the interview results, is taken into account.

These criteria are aimed at increasing the effectiveness of doctoral training and determining their scientific potential. Sergei Belov drew attention to the need for applicants for doctoral programmes to have an experience in scientific research on the topic of their future dissertation, the importance of finding a research topic related to the applicant’s practical activities, and the desire to interest the employer in training the doctoral student and defending a dissertation.

The plan of events to perpetuate the memory of the University staff and students

St Petersburg University has approved the Action Plan to perpetuate the memory of the University staff and students (Order No 5099/1p dated 4 December 2024). The first part lists the types of events to perpetuate the memory of outstanding University staff and students (including the creation of a portrait gallery, memorial rooms in the University buildings, naming a University department or institute, laboratory, research centre, establishing a personal scholarship in the relevant area, and holding events dedicated to significant anniversaries from the birthday to name just a few), and stipulates the deadlines for their implementation.

The second part outlines the work plan for perpetuating the memory of the University staff and students (including the formation of a list for perpetuating the memory of outstanding staff and students (the deadline is 1 March 2025); the establishment of burial sites of staff and students who were veterans of World war II of 1941-1945 who continued their studies or work at the University (the deadline is 1 February 2025)).

In order to monitor the implementation of the issued order, instructions will be given to the University’s officials in the near future.