Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting
Meeting of the Advisory Board for the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University
On 16 December, Sergei Ivanov, Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for Environmental Protection, Ecology and Transport, held a regular meeting of the Advisory Board for the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. According to Rector Nikolay Kropachev, the Board considered the results of the activity of the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University including: getting the third international accreditation of the ‘triple crown’; putting into operation new halls of residence for students of management; and plans for 2022. It was noted that Valery Falkov, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, became a member of the Advisory Board for the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University (Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov joins the Advisory Board for St Petersburg University’s Graduate School of Management).
Establishing the Institute of Theology
Theology appeared in Russia as a bachelor’s programme in 1992, as a master’s programme — in 1999, and as an aspirantura programme — in 2015. Currently, academic programmes of different levels are implemented in 96 universities of Russia and 60 of them have accreditation. Studies and research in theology are extremely important from the viewpoint of general culture and world-view. They reveal and connect the past, present and future of a country, ethnic group, family, a person in a unified research, academic and educational process.
St Petersburg University takes an active part in it. Programmes in theology at St Petersburg University are accredited at the master’s and aspirantura levels (Minutes of the Rector’s meeting dated 6 December 2021). Several academic programmes in theology and adjacent fields are implemented or go through the licencing process. Online courses are developed and integrated. Two defences for a candidate and a doctor’s degree have been successfully held following the rules established by St Petersburg University. Besides, the University is one of the founders of the Autonomous Educational Organisation ‘Scientific and Educational Theological Association’ (NOTA) (2018) that currently includes 77 universities. Since 2019, St Petersburg University has been publishing an interdisciplinary journal ‘Issues of Theology’ in association with theological doctoral and postdoctoral programmes. For five years, the University has been a co-organiser of the annual All-Russia theological conference ‘Theology in the academic space’ (NOTA), also as a federal platform (2020). The University scholars took an active part in the first interdisciplinary theological contest of the Russian Foundation for Basic Research (2021) submitting a maximal number of applications among Russian universities and taking first place in the number of projects receiving support.
The next stage in developing theology at St Petersburg University can be joining the administrative and intellectual resources to study the cultural, historical and spiritual experiences of traditional religions (confessions) performing service in Russia. The studies will be performed in theological, interdisciplinary and multi-confessional contexts including all research areas determined by regulatory documents in the sphere of science as well as theoretical and practical issues that can be solved by theology.
There should be a correlation to the task of defending ‘traditional spiritual and ethical values, culture and historical memory’ as well as ‘socially important baselines of social development’ (‘National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation’, 2021, article 92). This approach will help to use the possibilities of theology as an academic discipline not only in the cultural and historical perspective, but also as a field of knowledge aimed at studying the individual and society in the context of modern social, cultural, technological, geopolitical and other processes. ‘Theology as a science performs an important educational and world-view-building mission helping to preserve traditional spiritual and ethical values of our country and formulate answers to global challenges’ (from the welcoming address of President Vladimir Putin at the conference on ‘Theology in the academic space’ on 1 December 2021).
Structural consolidation of the academic and research activity in the field of theology at St Petersburg University will enable the University to be more competitive as a leading classical university of Russia with highly qualified research and academic staff and developments in different spheres of social and humanitarian knowledge, in research, expert and educational activity.
Current issues with organising the teaching and learning process
Over the past week, the Virtual Reception received 30 applications from students and teachers including 16 enquiries related to various educational and methodological issues. Additionally, 19 enquiries were registered in the student enquiry register.
According to Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities, the enquiries covered various topics including the following: possibilities of transfer to the government-funded places at St Petersburg University; academic leave terms; entry of the University international students to the Russian Federation; possibilities of acknowledgement of extra-curricular activity as internships; pass/fail test format; refusal from studying a second foreign language; issuing a certificate on the period of studies; and taking tests in online courses (answers to these questions have been previously published: Why does St Petersburg University use an online invigilation system?; Will the online invigilation system be improved?; On the efficiency of the online invigilation system; On resitting the examination with the use of the online invigilation system; On the use of the online invigilation system during tests and examinations; On invigilation during the interim assessments; How many students are expelled due to the online invigilation?; Are the online invigilation rules the same at all universities?; and On a failed test in the online invigilation system). Students from several fields of study enquired about the format of carrying out the interim assessment.
A student of Law addressed the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities with a question if a teacher can adjust the academic programme of an elective course by changing the test format: ‘One of the teachers of an elective course warned the students that an «oral discussion» can be required after taking a written test in order to determine a final grade’. However, the enquiry contains no information on the course title and the teacher’s last name. An examination cannot be conducted without this data. In this regard, Marina Lavrikova requested that the directors and deans should raise awareness within their staff teams and remind them that the test format indicated in the academic programme cannot be changed.
An enquiry from a parent of an international student was sent to the Virtual Reception. The parent enquired if the student who had been vaccinated with the Pfizer vaccine in Estonia three times would be allowed to attend classes in-person and live in the hall of residence upon entering the Russian Federation.
According to Petr Iablonskii, Senior Vice-Rector for Medical Care, the federal authorities have not yet developed a mechanism for international citizens vaccinated with the vaccines produced outside Russia to receive a Russian certificate. When it happens, international students will be informed about it.
Currently, international students have a possibility to receive a Russian certificate of vaccination. The detailed information on the procedure for international citizens arriving at St Petersburg University from other countries is published on the St Petersburg University portal.
The majority of directors of academic and research subdivisions reported that the teaching and learning process follows the timetable.
The Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences reported that the classes in ‘Mathematical Modelling of River Runoff’ (the bachelor’s programme in Hydrometeorology) were not delivered by Associate Professor Olga Makarieva for six weeks. The teacher was requested to provide an explanatory note, in which she reported that she failed to deliver the lectures on schedule due to a business trip to Magadan and intensive project field work there. The lectures will be delivered starting mid-December during the hours free from other classes. Vladimir Eremeev, Vice-Rector for Human Resources, will inspect this incident. The Director of the Institute was requested to talk to the staff members and explain that unauthorised transfer of classes is a violation of disciplinary issues. The impossibility to deliver classes and the need to change the timetable should be reported to the supervisors in due time stating objective reasons for such changes.
At the Rector’s meeting, Kirill Chistiakov, Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences, emphasised that the bachelor’s students attending classes in the ‘Mathematical Modelling of River Runoff’ kept secret from the head of the academic programme and the head of the department that the teacher failed to deliver classes. It was only before the interim assessment that the students reported about the list of missed classes.
Anatolii Puiu, Director of the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication, told the participants about the procedure of informing on the classes at the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication. After each class, every teacher informs the head of the academic programme on the class start time, completion time, issues discussed and tasks given to students.
Rector Nikolay Kropachev proposed that the colleagues discuss the suggestion of Anatoly Puyu noting that continuous control is not the communication style supported by the University. He was surprised that the students that came to the University to gain knowledge had been silent for so long. Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies, also opposed the practice of the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She suggested that the teachers should talk to the students more and explain that they should cooperate in organising the teaching and learning process. The Rector gave a task to Aleksandr Babich, Vice-Rector for Student Affairs and Admissions, and the Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences to discuss this incident with the Student Council of the Institute.
The meetings with the representatives of the student councils were not held by some directors, while many subdivisions held such meetings.
The measures of stimulating vaccination among students were discussed with the representatives of the Student Councils of the Faculty of Physics, the Faculty of Sociology, the Institute of Philosophy, and the Institute of Earth Sciences. The importance of updating the vaccination status in the Student Personal Account was also underscored.
The issues of carrying out the interim assessment with the use of an online invigilation system were discussed with the representatives of the Student Councils at the Faculty of Physics, the Institute of Philosophy, the Institute of Earth Sciences, and the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Control Processes.
A representative of the Student Council at the Faculty of Physics reported about technical difficulties experienced by students during the test with electronic control. The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Physics explained that such technical difficulties were immediately reported to the company providing online invigilation that removed the consequences of incorrect operation of the system. As of today, these technical issues have been resolved and the situation has been stabilised.
Marina Lavrikova reminded the heads of academic and research subdivisions on the need to hold meetings with the student councils with the participation of Vladimir Starostenko, Director of the Centre of E-Learning Development, who can clarify the operation of the online invigilation system during examinations and tests.
Last week, such a meeting was held at the Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Control Processes. The Director of the Centre of E-Learning Development confirmed the words of the Dean that only a small number of students were expelled following the test results with the use of the online invigilation system. He also clarified that a two-step examination excludes the possibility of accidental mistakes. Vladimir Starostenko noted that the invigilators always considered the enquiries by students. The Director of the Centre suggested that the students make proposals on improving the system He also expressed readiness to hold additional meetings on this topic.
A similar question was discussed at the meeting of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences with the Student Council representatives with the participation of Vladimir Starostenko. Although only one student attended the meeting, he was given detailed explanations on the online invigilation system operation. It was also suggested that the proposals on the system improvement should be made.
Current issues on organising the teaching and learning process were also discussed at the meetings with the heads of the student councils at the Faculty of Sociology, the Institute of Philosophy, the Institute of History, the Graduate School of Management, and the Institute of Earth Sciences.
Actions of a University student reported by the Examus company
St Petersburg University received a message from the Examus company that organises assessment with the use of the online invigilation system for the University. It says that a student of St Petersburg University contacted the company with a request to revoke the results of another student, who allegedly shared the test answers in a social network chat on the test day, which seriously violated the assessment rules. The message was supported with the screenshots of the chat.
Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities, noted that dishonesty during examinations and tests should not be taken for granted at the University, since any cases of academic fraud not only help the violators to get an undeserved grade, but also damage the goodwill of the University. Otar Margania, Dean of the Faculty of Economics, turned to the Ethics Committee with a request to assess this situation. The enquiry will be considered at the next meeting of the Ethics Committee.
As reported previously, St Petersburg University wants to propose an initiative of creating a collegiate authority on the basis of the Association of the leading universities with the goal to spread the ideas of academic honesty among Russian universities (St Petersburg University proposes creating an association of academic honesty in Russia). Students should be actively involved in such activities. They should be interested in spreading the principles of academic honesty in the student community.
Participation of the University students in the Russian Census
St Petersburg University students took an active part in the Russian Census in November 2021. All universities of Russia including St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region directed their students to take part in this important event.
As previously reported, the Federal State Statistics Service (Rosstat) concluded contracts with the census takers and controllers to perform the work on the population census.
Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities, said that Rosstat started to forward the information on the census takers and controllers from St Petersburg University that took part in the census under such contracts. Currently, 329 students of St Petersburg University are stated in the lists of Petrostat. 67 students on these lists took part in the census as volunteers.
All students who successfully completed their work as part of the population census will receive pass grades for practical training. The information on such students will be adjusted according to the data from Rosstat. Thus, the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities took the following decision: if the data on the students to receive a pass grade following their work in Petrostat fail to arrive before the start of the winter interim assessment (by 25 December 2021), the test in practical training will be extended and such students will be given an opportunity to take the test following a personal schedule by the end of January 2022. This should allow for all the administrative issues related to the internships in Petrostat to be resolved in relation to those students who successfully passed their practical assignment during the Russian Census, but whose information has not reached the University yet.
Legal regulation of students’ practical training
The Department of State Policy in Higher Education of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation sent an information letter answering the questions on the legal regulations of the students’ practical training.
According to Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities, the letter clarifies the following: how the University can check the police clearance certificate of the persons responsible for practical training of students on the part of the employer; the procedure in case the employer does not assess the working conditions at the work place; the procedure in case the student is a ‘government-funded’ student on the part of the employer and the employer does not approve the agreement; the possibility of establishing a ‘transition’ period when students can undertake internships both under the old and new agreements on internships; whether it is legal to conclude one agreement on practical training and complete it with additional agreements in specific fields of training; internships at commercial enterprises are not allowed; and other issues.
The letter from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation touched upon not only organisational, but also methodological issues including the following: how internships should be represented in the academic programmes of the disciplines; how practical training should be reflected in the syllabi of internships; what should be a reasonable scope of practical training; what should be the form of practical training; how should it be reflected in the curricula; and whether practical training and internships should be conducted in full scope in the form of practical training to name just a few.
The use of a contract template on practical training was clarified. In particular, the clauses to be excluded from the contract were noted. According to the letter from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the provisions in the practical training contract template are obligatory since they are based on the standards of the legislation of the Russian Federation providing for safe learning environment. At the same time, the template allows for establishing other legal terms of practical training by the sides.
Marina Lavrikova reminded that practical training at the University is performed in accordance with the Provisions on practical training of students in degree programmes of higher and secondary professional training at St Petersburg University established by Order No 2408/1 dated 29 March 2021, issued following Order No 885/390 dated 5 August 2020 and Order No 1430/390 dated 18 November 2020 of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.
Internships in industry-specific organisations are done on the basis of contracts concluded in the order established by local regulations of the University. A sample contract form and the list of partner organisations contracted for students’ internships are published on the University portal.
Based on the letter, the supervisors of internships and heads teaching methodology committees in consolidated groups of specialities and fields of study were given a task to discuss the clarifications of the Ministry at the meetings of the teaching methodology committees and introduce changes into the syllabi for practical training if necessary.
The clarifications will also be used by the Academic Affairs Department staff when concluding new and updating current contracts.
Preparation for the 2022/2023 academic year
The process of preparation for the new academic year of 2022/2023 has been improved in accordance with the Rector’s Order on organising the process of distribution of teaching assignments. Elvira Zeletdinova, Vice-Rector for Academic Activities and Teaching Methods, said that the discussion, approval and upload of the degree programme curricula for the 2022/2023 academic year into the ‘Learning’ information system should be completed by 31 January 2022.
To determine the teaching assignment for the permanent research and academic staff and invited specialists in the information system Assignment and to pass this information to the Vice-Rector for Human Resources by the end of April 2022, the deadlines for the following procedures have been shifted to earlier ones:
- the procedure of choosing a teaching assignment for the 2022/2023 academic year (self-registration) by permanent and invited research and academic staff in the ‘Teaching at St Petersburg University’ electronic service with subsequent confirmation (comment) by the dean / directors and/or authorised persons in the ‘Teaching at St Petersburg University’ electronic service by 1 March 2022
- competitions for teaching positions to be held in February-April 2022
- participation of the directors of institutes and deans of faculties in the distribution of teaching assignment for part-time staff and performance specifications for civil contracts with the teachers for the 2022/2023 academic year (including those with the extended date of the work start) should be organised with the use of a special interface in the ‘Learning’ information system and should be completed by the end of May 2022
As a result, the process of concluding civil contracts and employing part-time workers should be completed by 1 July 2022, which will allow for the timetable for the coming academic year (term) to be formed within the established time frame.
Directors and deans were requested to provide proposals on improving the schedule of preparing for the new academic year.
Nomination of a master’s student for the position of Deputy Chairperson of the Academic Council at St Petersburg University
The Student Council of St Petersburg University sent a request to Rector Nikolay Kropachev to appoint Andrei Koshkin as Deputy Chair of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University. Andrei Koshkin is a representative of the student community in the Academic Council of St Petersburg University. The letter says that Andrei Koshkin has completed the bachelor’s programme in Political Science at St Petersburg University this year and continues his studies in the master’s programme in ‘Applied Macroeconomics and State Regulation’ listing scientific and public achievements of the student.
The Rector sent a relevant communication to the permanent committees of the Academic Council.
Participation of a delegation from St Petersburg University in the Congress of Young Scientists and the closing ceremony of the Year of Science and Technology
On 8 to 10 December, the events associated with the closing ceremony of the Year of Science and Technology took place in the Sirius Park of Science and Art in Sochi. The Vuzpromexpo-2021 Exhibition and Congress of Young Scientists were the major events of the platform. The number of participants exceeded 3,000 people representing 280 higher education institutions and 125 subdivisions of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Anastasiia Iarmosh, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Partnership, said that the Congress of Young Scientists was held in the format of a business programme. The participants summarised the results of the Year of Science and Technology during panel discussions, talks and workshops. The total of 489 speakers took part in the programme. The scientists of St Petersburg University took part in the discussions on: ‘Social and Humanitarian Research’ (Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Education, Professor Tatiana Chernigovskaya: ‘Researchers from St Petersburg University speak at the Congress of Young Scientists about science integration and new scientific issues’); and ‘Attracting international doctoral students and highly qualified specialists to the Russian science: prospective fields of study’ (researchers Rahul Gangopadhyay, Casey Alexander Blacker: Neuroprosthetics, genetics development and engagement of international doctoral students — St Petersburg University participates in the Congress of Young Scientists). The significant number of speakers from St Petersburg were affiliated with Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University (nine speakers in seven events) and ITMO University (teachers and researchers spoke in 13 discussions).
The parallel programme of the Vuzpromexpo 2021 features stand displays by 40 universities and seven world-class research and educational centres as well as a panel discussion devoted to the key programmes of the ‘Science and Universities’ national project (previously ‘Science’): projects on establishing research and educational centres, world-class scientific centres, specialised research and education centres and ‘Priority-2030’. The stand of St Petersburg University displayed Video-material demonstrating the range of the University scientific research and the works of scientists in 2021: from palaeontology to chemistry and neuroprosthetics .
Special attention was given to the ‘Agrotechnology of the Future’ project of the world-class research centre. The issues of providing for the ties between large-scale national programmes aimed at cutting-edge scientific research and practical implementation of the priorities in the development of Russia, as well as expansion and diversification of agricultural practices in the developed regions, were discussed at the ‘Genetic technologies for the development of new territories’ session with the participation of Igor Tikhonovich, Dean of the Faculty of Biology. The world-class scientific centre programme also included signing an agreement on cooperation between St Petersburg University and Schelkovo Agrohim (St Petersburg University and Schelkovo Agrohim develop high-yielding sugar beet varieties).
A profile meeting of the specialised research and education centre directors in the form of a panel discussion on ‘Specialised research and education centres as a talent foundry’ took place on the margins of the Vuzpromexpo 2021. Representatives of specialised research and education centres at St Petersburg University, the Ural Federal University, Kazan Federal University, Novosibirsk State University, Kazan National Research Technical University named after A. N. Tupolev — KAI took part in the discussion. The specialised research and education centre of St Petersburg University was represented by Daria Andrianova, Director of the Faddeev Academic Gymnasium at St Petersburg University. The key issues under discussion covered the support of gifted children; trends, prospects and modern approaches to teaching; and uniquely designed programmes to train highly qualified personnel for science and industry. The participants discussed a specialised research and education centre model as a start platform for school students to determine a promising profession in the near future and training to acquire the relevant skills.
When analysing the participation of St Petersburg University in the event programme, Anastasiia Iarmosh noted that the University speakers were not sufficiently represented in panel discussions, while the programme missed specialised thematic events by St Petersburg University (workshops and key-note speakers). Vice-Rectors and heads of academic and research subdivisions were recommended to prepare specific proposals when preparing for image-building public events of federal scale. The architecture and theme of the event, the activity of the organisers and major sponsors should be analysed and the proposals should be timely forwarded to the person in charge of the coordination and interaction with the event organisers.
Visit of the Chairman of the South Korea Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation to St Petersburg University
On 13 and 14 December, Chong Soo Park, Chairman of the South Korea Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation, visited St Petersburg University. During the visit, Chong Soo Park took part in a joint Russia—Korea workshop ‘Legal and Economic Aspects of Energy Transition’ and had a meeting with Senior Vice-Rector Elena Chernova (Chairman of the South Korea Presidential Committee on Northern Economic Cooperation Chong Soo Park visits St Petersburg University).
During the discussion, prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields were considered including the following:
- develop cooperation with the universities of the Republic of Korea in the field of academic exchange;
- help in establishing contact with the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea to conclude a direct agreement on cooperation on possible spheres of future cooperation including organising and holding joint events dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University;
- contribute to establishing and developing cooperation with Korean employers in order to:
- organise internships for the University students in Korean companies both in the Russian Federation and in the Republic of Korea;
- create and implement special non-degree programmes at the request of companies;
- train employees of Korean companies in the advanced training programmes and/or professional training programmes;
- have representatives of Korean companies act as experts in the work of the councils of academic programmes with a Korean component;
- have representatives of Korean companies take part in the development of case tasks in the field of the Internet of Things for students of St Petersburg University;
- support publication of the collection of modern Russian prose in the Korean language in the Republic of Korea and the collection of modern Korean prose in the Russian language in Russia;
- have Korean companies support programmes of academic mobility for the students of St Petersburg University with Korean partner universities;
- extended cooperation within the framework of the forum ‘Korea—Russia Dialogue’.
Directors and deans were requested to provide proposals on implementing the listed and other joint projects.
Visit of the Consul General of Israel to St Petersburg University
On 16 December, Consul General of Israel in St Petersburg Uri Resnick visited St Petersburg University. During the meeting, the sides considered the prospects of mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields.
Anastasiia Iarmosh, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Partnership offered the following list:
- developing student and staff mobility with the universities of Israel;
- developing and implementing joint academic programmes with the universities of Israel in various fields of study including physics, mathematics and medicine;
- developing cooperation with the universities of Israel within the framework of Erasmus+ Programme;
- concluding a direct agreement between St Petersburg University and the Israeli Ministry of Education to enable more students to take part in academic exchange programmes between St Petersburg University and universities of Israel, prepare research articles and comparative comments on the educational systems of both countries and the expansion of double degree programmes;
- inviting teachers from the universities of Israel to deliver lectures and practical workshops at St Petersburg University;
- inviting the Consul General of Israel to deliver a course of lectures devoted to the application of game theory for the students in International Relations and Management at St Petersburg University;
- support on the part of the Consulate General of Israel in establishing direct contacts with the universities of Israel to develop cooperation in all fields of mutual interest including holding joint conferences, workshops, round tables on the Jewish Culture, and Jewish Theology to name just a few;
- developing online courses together with the universities of Israel devoted to the language, culture, history of Israel and other topics.
Directors and deans were requested to provide proposals on implementing the listed and other joint projects.
Preparing and publishing articles and books dedicated to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University
The University continues to prepare to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University in 2024. One of the directions involving all the University research and academic staff is preparing and publishing articles in prominent international and Russian scientific journals.
Elena Chernova, Senior Vice-Rector, noted that this issue had been repeatedly discussed at the Rector’s meetings (Minutes of the Rector’s meeting dated 11 October 2021; Minutes of the Rector’s meeting dated 26 July 2021). She emphasised once again that these publications should be published in indexed international journals as opposed to the University journals, so that the information about the University and its achievements in various fields could spread as wide as possible.
Elena Chernova paid special attention to the proposal from the staff of the Institute of Chemistry that decided to dedicate all publications in 2023 to the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg University. Elena Chernova suggested that directors and deans should discuss the proposal of their colleagues from the Institute of Chemistry and follow their example when publishing articles in their fields of study.
Measures on countering the spread of COVID-19 at St Petersburg University
Due to the detection of COVID-19 among the students residing in Hall of Residence No 8 (15/1 Khalturina Street, Peterhof), the Central office of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing (Rospotrebnadzor) in St Petersburg gave two compliance orders dated 14 and 15 December 2021 on urgent anti-epidemic measures at St Petersburg University. The reports on completing the compliance measures had to be provided by 17 December (On the measures of protecting St Petersburg University students from the spread of coronavirus disease).
Elena Chernova, Senior Vice-Rector, told the meeting participants about these measures that include the following: create the lists of all students and staff that had been in contact with the sick students and give the lists to the Regional Office of Rospotrebnadzor; hold barrier examination together with the specialists of the Nikolaevskaia Hospital; and establish medical monitoring with records for all staff and students that had been in contact with the sick students for 14 days from the moment of the last contact.
Leisure activities with the participation of students and mass events in the halls of residence shall be cancelled until further notice.
According to the Vice-Rector, the persons under medical monitoring will be allowed to work and study online under the following conditions:
- obligatory medical examination if the person has had a full course of vaccination against COVID-19 within the last six months or recovered from COVID-19 with no symptoms
- after 14 calendar days from the moment of the last contact with a person infected with COVID-19 if the person has not taken a full course of vaccination against COVID-19 within the last six months or recovered from COVID-19 with no symptoms
To fulfil the Rospotrebnadzor orders of 15 December 2021, the Senior Vice-Rector issued two orders on organising relevant activity: On organising the work on implementing the compliance orders by Rospotrebnadzor in St Petersburg; On organising the work on implementing the compliance orders of the South-Western Regional Office of Rospotrebnadzor in St Petersburg .
The University continues to control the implementation of the previously introduced anti-epidemic measures.
Vaccination against COVID-19
The meeting participants continued to discuss the process of vaccination against COVID-19. Over the past week, the overall number of students with vaccination, past disease certificates within the last six month or medical exemption certificates has increased insignificantly by 1.83% (from 33.58 to 35.41%). Among the research and academic staff the percentage of vaccinated persons has grown by 0.2 %, with the percentage of vaccinated academic staff reaching 92.9 %.
The information on the students’ vaccination across the fields of study:
|
Fields of study |
Students with vaccination, past disease certificates, medical exemptions (as of 3 December 2021) |
Students with vaccination, past disease certificates, medical exemptions (as of 10 December 2021) |
Students with vaccination, past disease certificates, medical exemptions (as of 17 December 2021) |
|
Institute for Competition Development and Antimonopoly Regulation |
91.67 % |
91.67 % |
91.67 % |
|
Asian and African Studies |
62.17 % |
64.29 % |
65.98 % |
|
Physical Training (bachelor’s degree) |
52.38 % |
57.14 % |
61.9 % |
|
Institute of Chemistry |
54.68 % |
57.78 % |
60.68 % |
|
Biology |
47.13 % |
49.93 % |
50.79 % |
|
Medicine |
45.7 % |
48.63 % |
49.89 % |
|
Physics |
39.87 % |
43.97 % |
48.58 % |
|
Institute for Cognitive Studies |
41.18 % |
47.06 % |
47.06 % |
|
Mathematics and Computer Science |
43.06 % |
45.24 % |
46.53 % |
|
Philology |
34.71 % |
39.1 % |
42.6 % |
|
Institute of Pedagogy |
40.95 % |
42.86 % |
42.45 % |
|
Institute of Earth Sciences |
39.11 % |
40.86 % |
42.14 % |
|
Liberal Arts and Sciences |
33.73 % |
36.64 % |
38.41 % |
|
Mathematics and Mechanics |
33.33 % |
36.64 % |
38.18 % |
|
Psychology |
33.47 % |
35.35 % |
37.59 % |
|
Institute of Philosophy |
33.44 % |
35.76 % |
37.09 % |
|
Institute of History |
33.33 % |
35.02 % |
36.72 % |
|
Medical College |
30.36 % |
35.71 % |
36.36 % |
|
Control Processes |
31.9 % |
34.15 % |
36.32 % |
|
International Relations |
30.16 % |
32.76 % |
34.34 % |
|
Dental Medicine and Medical Technology |
21.12 % |
30.6 % |
32.59 % |
|
Management |
25.2 % |
28.55 % |
29.63 % |
|
Sociology |
24.15 % |
27.02 % |
29.08 % |
|
Political Science |
22.51 % |
25.55 % |
27.02 % |
|
Law |
23.94 % |
25.4 % |
26.62 % |
|
Economics |
18.89 % |
20.75 % |
22.98 % |
|
Arts |
16.4 % |
18.73 % |
20.2 % |
|
Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication |
16.09 % |
16.53 % |
17.93 % |
|
Physical Education (non-university level higher education) |
12.45 % |
16.12 % |
17.08 % |
|
Total |
30.89 % |
33.58 % |
35.41 % |
|
Growth |
2.99 % |
2.68 % |
1.83 % |
The information on the vaccination of research and academic staff at the faculties and institutes:
|
Subdivision |
Total |
Vaccinated |
Antibodies |
Medical exemption |
% as of 10 December 2021 |
% as of 17 December 2021 |
|
Academic Gymnasium |
82 |
58 |
7 |
7 |
88 % |
87.8 % |
|
Faculty of Biology |
342 |
302 |
22 |
7 |
96.7 % |
96.8 % |
|
Military Training Centre |
34 |
29 |
3 |
2 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
Faculty of Asian and African Studies |
151 |
125 |
12 |
10 |
97.3 % |
97.4 % |
|
Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication |
113 |
90 |
13 |
10 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
Graduate School of Management |
83 |
66 |
6 |
5 |
91.4 % |
92.8 % |
|
Institute of Earth Sciences |
249 |
230 |
13 |
4 |
100 % |
99.2 % |
|
Institute of History |
147 |
125 |
8 |
5 |
100 % |
93.9 % |
|
Institute for Cognitive Studies |
20 |
18 |
1 |
1 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
Institute of Pedagogy |
7 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
Institute for Competition Development and Antimonopoly Regulation |
9 |
6 |
3 |
0 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
Institute of Philosophy |
143 |
121 |
12 |
9 |
98.6 % |
99.3 % |
|
Institute of Chemistry |
220 |
194 |
17 |
9 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
Department of Physical Training and Sports |
53 |
41 |
5 |
7 |
100 % |
100 % |
|
College of Physical Training and Sports, Economics and Technology |
78 |
59 |
7 |
7 |
89.7 % |
93.6 % |
|
Mathematics and Mechanics Faculty |
286 |
226 |
21 |
2 |
86.8 % |
87.1 % |
|
Medical College |
24 |
20 |
2 |
1 |
100 % |
95.8 % |
|
Faculty of Medicine |
324 |
248 |
21 |
7 |
84.4 % |
85.2 % |
|
Faculty of Applied Mathematics and Control Processes |
185 |
152 |
18 |
9 |
96.7 % |
96.8 % |
|
Faculty of Foreign Languages |
299 |
206 |
29 |
18 |
82.9 % |
84.6 % |
|
Faculty of Arts |
103 |
87 |
6 |
5 |
95.1 % |
95.1 % |
|
Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science |
180 |
139 |
6 |
2 |
81.7 % |
81.7 % |
|
School of International Relations |
119 |
87 |
9 |
16 |
95.8 % |
94.1 % |
|
Faculty of Political Science |
44 |
33 |
5 |
0 |
88.6 % |
86.4 % |
|
Faculty of Psychology |
136 |
114 |
13 |
7 |
99.2 % |
98.5 % |
|
Faculty of Liberal Arts and Sciences |
88 |
68 |
4 |
0 |
82 % |
81.8 % |
|
Faculty of Sociology |
94 |
71 |
6 |
5 |
87.2 % |
87.2 % |
|
Faculty of Dental Medicine and Medical Technologies |
90 |
54 |
17 |
2 |
81.1 % |
81.1 % |
|
Faculty of Physics |
484 |
435 |
39 |
7 |
99.3 % |
99.4 % |
|
Faculty of Philology |
453 |
342 |
46 |
24 |
86.5 % |
90.9 % |
|
Faculty of Economics |
161 |
129 |
14 |
8 |
95.5 % |
93.8 % |
|
Faculty of Law |
151 |
113 |
19 |
6 |
99.3 % |
91.4 % |
|
Total |
4952 |
3995 |
404 |
202 |
92.7 % |
92.9 % |
In the new term, in-person classes will be permitted only in those staff teams where this parameter will exceed 80% among academic staff (all staff teams have reached this level) and 40% among students (only 12 student teams have reached this level so far).
Heads of academic and research subdivisions were requested to continue raising awareness on the importance of vaccination among staff and students.
Celebrating the University Teacher Day at St Petersburg University
On 19 November, the University Teacher Day was celebrated in Russia for the first time. In this regard, directors and deans were requested to present proposals on celebrating the University Teacher Day at St Petersburg University next year (Minutes of the Rector’s meeting dated 22 November 2021).
According to Vladimir Eremeev, Vice-Rector for Human Resources, all the heads of academic and research subdivisions who submitted such proposals agreed that the University Teacher Day should be associated with announcing the results of competitions and nominees of the St Petersburg University prizes ‘For the art of teaching’, ‘For teaching activities’, ‘For research activities’ on the website of St Petersburg University. To this end, the time line of holding competitions and announcing the results will be adjusted. Relevant tasks will be given to the relevant officials.
Besides, the following was suggested:
- organising a public information and celebration campaign, where the graduates and students will congratulate the teachers on the University website, webpages of academic and research subdivisions, and social network pages
- preparing a special issue of the St Petersburg University magazine (an overview) talking about prominent events of the past year related to the University staff (publishing monograph, awarding prises, conferring degrees and titles)
- giving letters of gratitude and awards in the big Assembly Hall of St Petersburg University to the University staff including veterans and retired professors concluding the event with a festive concert with the participation of the University art teams
Vladimir Eremeev noted that the heads of academic and research subdivisions should plan events dedicated to the University Teacher Day to be held within the staff teams of faculties and institutes.
Considering the enquiries on Igor Mintusov
Since summer 2021, St Petersburg University has been receiving enquiries related to Igor Mintusov, Associate Professor in the Department of Public Relations in Politics and Public Administration, the Head of the Board of Directors of the Nikkolo M agency, the President of the Russian Association of Political Consultants (Why does the teacher with ambiguous reputation continue to give lectures?). The enquiries accuse Igor Mintusov of lobbying for the results of the PolitPRpro student contest, alleged sexual relationship and ambiguous statements in a TV programme about the fate of German prisoners-of-war during the Stalingrad battle.
The enquiries were sent to the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region for the relevant inspection. The University received responses from the agency stating that the facts described in the enquiries did not find objective evidence and the material was sent to the archive.
Participation of St Petersburg University in the charity event ‘New Year Tree of Wishes’
The participants of the Rector’s meeting were informed about the participation of St Petersburg University in the charity event ‘New Year Tree of Wishes’ aimed at fulfilling the New Year wishes of children and elderly people with disabilities, orphans, children from low-income families (Universities can make New Year wonders for those who need them most).
The Rector and Vice-Rectors of St Petersburg University will be the first to take part in the charity event. However, every University student and staff member has this opportunity. Those who would like to contribute to the charity should submit a form to the heads of their subdivisions (dean of the faculty, director of the institute or subdivision). They will create a collective application by 15 January and submit a form.
Registered participants will receive further instructions. Upon receiving the wish of a fosterling, one should contact their family, clarify the details of meeting in person, meet and present the gift.
The detailed information is available on the official website of the charity event.