6 September 2021 Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

№ 489
dated 06.09.2021

    1. St Petersburg University positions in the MosIUR and THE global rankings

    Last week two of the four global university rankings (QS, ARWU, THE, MosIUR) published their regular reports. The rankings are recognised in the Russian Federation when assessing global competitive capacity of higher education following the implementation of Presidential Order No 204 dated 7 May 2018.

    ‘The Three University Missions’

    In the recent report of the International University Ranking ‘The Three University Missions’ (MosIUR 2021) St Petersburg University has taken the 36th position (St Petersburg University is ranked first in St Petersburg and is among the world’s top 40 universities in ‘The Three University Missions’ international ranking). Detailed information on the value of separate parameters on every university has not been published by the RAEX international group of rating agencies. According to the existing analytical data, St Petersburg University is among the top 100 sub-ranking in the ‘Education’ group of criteria (weight 45%) and ‘University and Society’ group of criteria (weight 30%). However, similar to all Russian universities St Petersburg University is not included into the top 100 sub-ranking in the ‘Science’ group of criteria (weight 25%).

    The published analytical commentary suggests that St Petersburg University has moved up compared to last year due to significant increase in the number of international students as well as the number of massive open online courses and their attendance at the leading platforms. It should be noted that the funding data indicators remain low despite the fact that the calculations are based on the purchasing power parity. So do the indicators of the number of subscribers to the University account in the four social networks – VK, Sina Weibo (the sum of subscribers in the two social networks where the University has the largest audience).  

    11 Russian universities have been included into the top 300 of this global ranking:

    Lomonosov Moscow State University (19th position) 

    St Petersburg University (36th position)

    National Research University ‘Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology’ (44th position)

    National Research University ‘Higher School of Economics’ (120th position)

    National Research Nuclear University MEPHI (145th position)

    National Research Novosibirsk State University (205th position)

    National Research Tomsk State University (222nd position)

    Ural Federal University (257th position) 

    ITMO University (270th position)

    Tomsk Polytechnic University (289th position)

    Bauman Moscow State Technical University (300th position)  

    Times Higher Education

    In the regular issues of the Times Higher Education global ranking (WUR THE 2022), St Petersburg University has kept its position in the group 601–800 (St Petersburg University keeps its positions in the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking).

    It should be taken into account that every subsequent ranking report uses the data from the previous time periods. Thus, the last report of THE WUR 2022 has used the data of 2019 collected in 2021. The publications indexed in Scopus for the period of 2016-2020 and their citation in 2016-2021 has been taken to assess publication activity.

    One may note negative dynamics in all groups of criteria for the seven years period, which is especially conspicuous due to an almost two-fold increase in the number of ranked universities. Diagram 1 shows the distribution of St Petersburg University position in black dots as well as the ranking grade together with the distribution of other selected universities. Lomonosov Moscow State University position is indicated with coloured dots.

    Diagram 1. St Petersburg University and Lomonosov Moscow State University positions as compared to the sample distribution of all universities in the THE WUR 2022 ranking 

    It should be mentioned that according to the THE WUR 2022 ranking calculations, St Petersburg University position falls in Quartile 1 only in terms of Teaching (30 %) and Research (30 %) sub-ranking indicators. The positions of St Petersburg University in the Industry Income sub-ranking (2.5 %) and International Outlook sub-ranking (7.5 %) are at the median value, while the position in the Citations sub-ranking is in Quartile 4.

    Diagram 2. St Petersburg University and Lomonosov Moscow State University positions as compared to the sample distribution of Russian universities in the THE WUR 2022 ranking 

    Noteworthy, St Petersburg University can be considered a leader only in the Teaching and Research group criteria among Russian universities (see Diagram 1). According to the citation level, St Petersburg University position is at the median value of the Russian university sample included into the ranking. In the Industrial Income sub-ranking, St Petersburg University position is on the border between Quartile 3 and 4, which cannot be considered a leading position.

    The analysis of the THE WUR 2022 ranking indicators demonstrates that the quality of research publications reflected by the citation indicator should be significantly increased in the medium-term perspective to move up in the ranking. Also, the amount of funding from industrial companies and organisations of the real economic sector performing research and development at St Petersburg University should be significantly raised.  

    In the near future, the system of financial incentives for publishing activity among teaching and research staff will be adjusted by increasing the part of centralised bonuses for publishing activity prioritising highly cited publications. The measures stimulating participation in grant activity and agreements funded by St Petersburg University industrial partners will also be developed.

    Directors of institutes and deans of faculties have been tasked to make additional proposals on the stimulation measures aimed at improving the position of St Petersburg University in ‘The Three University Missions’ and Times Higher Education global rankings.

    According to the decisions previously taken by St Petersburg University, the results of the four rankings recognised in the Russian Federation are taken into account when: transferring to the final year of studies at St Petersburg University from another university; organising credit transfer and accepting the results of online studies; selecting the academic mobility projects; and choosing experts for dissertation councils formed according to the rules established by St Petersburg University to name just a few.

    2. Cooperation between St Petersburg University and ‘Rosatom – International Network’

    Since 2018, St Petersburg University has cooperated with the Rosatom State Corporation in the sphere of education within the framework of implementing the ‘International cooperation in the sphere of nuclear education’ project that has the following goals:

    Performing obligations of the Rosatom State Corporation in the sphere of teaching foreign citizens and transferring knowledge at the university level

    Providing for the required educational infrastructure to train specialists from partner countries following the national nuclear programme of the Russian Federation

    Contributing to the creation and development of the national system of nuclear education in partner countries with the use of Russian educational technologies

    Popularising Russian nuclear engineering education and Russian technologies abroad

    St Petersburg University won the competition in sub-projects among Rosatom basic universities on creating educational product to implement the above-mentioned goals. As a result, Rosatom concluded a long-term contract with St Petersburg University implying three implementation stages (2018–2019, 2019–2020, 2020–2021) with the total funding amount of 15 million roubles.

    The contract implies creating a full cycle educational project in English. It includes developing and launching a master’s programme in English in the field of nuclear physics research methods. It should be implemented in partnership with a leading European university in the field. It also provides for the creation of two non-degree programmes to support the implementation of degree programmes (advanced training for teachers and general preparatory training for international students before entering the programme). These non-degree programmes shall provide for additional funding, teacher training and pre-admission training for international applicants applying for degree programmes.      

    During the past two stages of project implementation the following results have been achieved:

    A complete teaching methodology complex in English has been developed; admission to the master’s programme in ‘Condensed Matter Physics at MEGA-Science Facilities’ in English has been opened;

    Teaching staff for the programme has been formed (over 70% of teachers work at the MEGA science facilities, mostly at B.P. Konstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute);

    Assessment of teaching staff in the field of ‘Teaching in English’ has been performed;

    An academic partner for joint implementation of the programme – Technical University of Munich – has been found. Currently the universities are working on signing a series of agreements including: memorandum on long-term cooperation; agreement on expanded academic exchange; and joint practical work concept. The Technical University of Munich was selected as a priority partner due to the adequate practical base for the programme specialisation, namely, the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) for neutron research with the FRM 2 research reactor. Moreover, the master’s programme implemented at the Technical University of Munich has similar characteristics to St Petersburg University programme in terms of competencies and education results. This will enable us to adjust and adapt our curricula;

    Agreements on practical work in a network format (seven types of practical work) have been concluded. They imply using the production potential of the three partners: the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research; B.P. Konstantinov Petersburg Nuclear Physics Institute; and the National Research Center ‘Kurchatov Institute’.  It is planned to expand the network of practical work locations due to involving German organisations that have agreements with the Technical University of Munich: the NIST Centre for Neutron Research includes the Technical University of Munich, Forschungszentrum Jülich, and Helmholtz Centre;

    The required software has been purchased. A team of authors has been selected. Online course ‘Neutron Scattering Methods: Diffraction, Spectroscopy, SANS, Reflectometry’ has been developed and published on the ‘OpenEdu’ platform as an online module of the programme;

    A road mad has been developed and approved to further promote the programme among international applicants and at the international educational market in general.

    Currently, the project working group is solving the issues of the third stage of cooperation.

    The development and launch of a hybrid format non-degree programme of advanced education for teachers ‘Methodology and technology of preparing bachelor’s students to further studies in master's programmes in nuclear physics is near completion. The general non-degree programme for international students ‘Preparation to master’s programmes at St Petersburg University in the field of nuclear physics research methods (in English)’ to be implemented in a distant format is also at the completion stage. 

    The activity on work placement of graduates is underway. The activity on monitoring the placement of graduates is under development.

    Starting 1 September, an internal independent assessment of the programme quality will be held to prepare for international accreditation of the master’s programme in ‘Condensed Matter Physics at MEGA-Science Facilities’ in English following ESG criteria (the standards and guidelines for quality assurance in the European Higher Education Area).

    Based on the results of admission to the master’s programme in ‘Condensed Matter Physics at MEGA-Science Facilities’ in English in 2021, ten foreign citizens from Germany, India, China, Egypt, Syria, Turkey, Ghana and Pakistan have been admitted.  Seven citizens of the Russian Federation have also been admitted to the programme.

    3. The work of the Federal Training and Methodological Associations headed by St Petersburg University representatives

    St Petersburg University representatives are the chairs of the following Federal Training and Methodological Associations: 

    37.00.00 ‘Psychology’ (Alla Shaboltas, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology at St Petersburg University)

    40.00.00 ‘Jurisprudence’ (Nelli Diveeva, Professor in the Department of Labour Law and Labour Protection at St Petersburg University)  

    44.00.00 ‘Education and Pedagogy’ (Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University)

    58.00.00 ‘Asian and African Studies’ (Mikhail Piotrovsky, Dean of the Faculty of African and Asian Studies at St Petersburg University)

    and deputy chairs of the following Federal Training and Methodological Associations:

    02.00.00 ‘Computer and Information Science’ (Andrei Terekhov, Professor in the Department of System Programming at St Petersburg University)

    06.00.00 ‘Biology Sciences’ (Igor Tikhonovich, Dean of the Faculty of Biology)

    38.00.00 ‘Economics and Management’ (Yury Fedotov, Associate Professor in the Department of Operations Management at St Petersburg University)

    39.00.00 ‘Sociology and Social Work’ (Nikolai Skvortsov, Dean of the Faculty of Sociology at St Petersburg University) 

    41.00.00 ‘Political Sciences and Regional Studies’ (Aleksandr Kurochkin, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science at St Petersburg University)

    42.00.00 ‘Mass Media, Information and Library Science’ (Anatoly Puyu, Director of the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication at St Petersburg University)

    47.00.00 ‘Philosophy, Ethics and Religion Studies’ (Nikita Kuznetsov, Director of the Institute of Philosophy at St Petersburg University)

    During the 2020/21 academic year the activity of Federal Training and Methodological Associations and their interaction with the Ministry of Science and Higher Education have been quite intensive. Federal Training and Methodological Associations continue to serve as platforms to discuss modernisation of the educational system.

    Almost all members of the Federal Training and Methodological Associations have taken part in developing and adjusting the wording of the new competences approved by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education Order No 1456 dated 26 November 2020 ‘On introducing changes in the Federal Educational Standard’ that took effect starting 1 September. 

    Universal competencies-8: able to create and maintain safe living conditions to preserve natural environment, provide for sustainable development of the society in everyday life and professional activity as well as in case of emergencies and military conflicts

    Universal competencies-9: able to take reasonable economic decisions in different spheres of life

    Universal competencies-10: able to build intolerance towards corruption and corruptive behaviour

    Following the decree of the Department of State Policy in Higher Education in accordance with the recommendations of the working group on implementing the mechanism of the ‘regulatory guillotine’, representatives of the Federal Training and Methodological Associations took part in adjusting the wording of universal competencies at the bachelor’s and specialist’s levels aimed at building inclusive (defectologic) competencies. It is planned to be introduced into the Federal Educational Standard 4. 

    Representatives of the Federal Training and Methodological Associations together with the working group took part in implementing the Presidential Order (sub-paragraph ‘d’, paragraph 1 of orders No Pr-2242 dated 31 December 2020 following the ‘AI Journey’ conference) on the need to: implement academic programmes of higher education in specialities and fields associated with the development of Artificial Intelligence Technology; develop modules in the field of information technologies; and develop Artificial Intelligence Technology in non-profile training fields. 

    Members of the Federal Training and Methodological Associations on the enlarged groups of specialists and fields 44.00.00 ‘Education and Pedagogy’ (chaired by Professor Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University) developed methodological recommendations on organising personal development activity at educational organisations of higher education in Russia.

    Following the implementation of Presidential order No Pr-589 after the extended joint session of the State Council Praesidium and the Presidential Council for Science and Education dated 28 March 2020, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education has suggested that the Federal Training and Methodological Association  members reconsider the list of specialities and fields of training at the university level taking into account the measures on their expansion. Optimising the list of the field of training is aimed at current and future labour market demands and priority fields of scientific and technical development. 

    In the course of meetings of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the university community, members of different Federal Training and Methodological Associations said that the draft of the list still requires further elaboration and development.  According to representatives of various Federal Training and Methodological Associations, the list fails to mention: the goals of changes; tasks leading towards the changes; and results to be achieved in the course of the reform.  The project has no unified methodological approach. The approach to naming the qualifications at the master’s programme level has not been elaborated. Representatives of some Federal Training and Methodological Association suggested that the graduates of different academic programmes within one field should receive the qualification of ‘Master of the relevant field’ (for example, ‘Master of Economics’) and ‘Master of Sciences’ (for example, ‘Master of Economic Sciences’).

    In connection with the development of a new list, on 23 July 2021, the meeting participants at the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA) discussed the development of a new State Educational Standard 4. According to the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, educational standards of the new generation should have a framework nature allowing for universities to implement various educational profiles. The following major principles of developing State Educational Standard 4 were mentioned at the meeting: the State Educational Standard should contain the requirements that collectively provide for high quality of the academic results; the State Educational Standard should be ‘customer-centred’ with the student’s interests in the core; the State Educational Standard requirements should provide for the pre-emptive training and be formed ‘as if looking back from the future’. 

    One of the important issues discussed at the Federal Training and Methodological Association platforms is related to performing the Presidential orders: ‘Provide for the students studying in the academic programmes of higher education to be able to choose the field of training in the third year of studies’ (sub-paragraph ‘b’ of paragraph 1 of the list of orders ММ-П13-441 on implementing the Presidential Address to the Federal Assembly dated 15 January 2020).   

    According to the Federal Training and Methodological Association members in the enlarged group of specialists and fields on ‘Jurisprudence’, creating individual educational trajectories for students after the second year of studies can proceed in three fields, two of which are acceptable under the current legislation:

    Getting the required modern and highly demanded competencies without changing the academic programme (through the choice of educational models, elective courses, additional professional training)

    Through the so-called minors (additional profiles) or learning cycles within the bachelor's programme allowing for an additional educational trajectory for students on top of the main field

    Receiving fundamental training in case of changing the academic programme to a compatible field (organisational and legal model for these changes is currently non-existent in Russia)

    The members of the Federal Training and Methodological Association in the enlarged group of specialists and fields in ‘African and Asian Studies’ responded negatively to the possibility of transition to the scheme of 2+2 years. They said that the language training within their academic programmes should start from the first year as opposed to the third year.

    Taking into account the diversity of fields implemented in the system of higher education in Russia, their specific nature, scientific traditions and significant difference in the theoretical and practical requirements towards the graduates, the discussion on this and other topics shall continue with the representatives of Federal Training and Methodological Associations. 

    The issues of legal foundations and ethical requirements to professional activity was given special attention at the Rector's meeting.  According to Rector Nikolay Kropachev, the State Educational Standard provisions should not be restricted to the requirement to know the legal foundations and ethical requirements to professional activity.  Students should not only know, but also share current ethical and legal professional requirements.  This position was supported by Alla Shaboltas, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology, Head of the Federal Training and Methodological Association in ‘Psychology’;  Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy, Head of the Federal Training and Methodological Association in ‘Education and Pedagogy’; Nikita Kuznetsov, Director of the Institute of Philosophy, Deputy chair of the Federal Training and Methodological Association  in ‘Philosophy, Ethics and Religion Studies’; Anatoly Puyu, Director of the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Deputy Chair of the Federal Training and Methodological Association in ‘Mass Media, Information and Library Science’; Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice Rector for Academic Affairs. 

    Following the discussion of the issue, the Rector gave a task to Marina Lavrikova, Senior Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, to hold a meeting with the chairs and deputy chairs of the Federal Training and Methodological Associations  and discuss the following: 

    the issues of developing the State Educational Standard of the fourth generation that already involves members of the Federal Training and Methodological Association in ‘Education and Pedagogy’

    wording of legal and ethical requirements to professional activity in the State Educational Standard

    4. Beginning of the new academic year: distribution of teaching assignments

    In accordance with the requirement to publish the timetable on the websites of educational organisations before the start of the academic year, the timetable on all academic programmes for the autumn term of the 2021/22 academic year was published on the website on 30 August.

    As of 27 August, the distributed teaching load was completed for 94.3% of lines (types of classes in the relevant disciplines). In accordance with the decision of the Rector’s meeting dated 16 August 21, non-distributed teaching load as of 27 August was divided among deans/directors or department heads that provide for the class replacement. The data is monitored on a daily basis and gradually the timetable lines get filled by the names of the relevant teachers.    

    The work on the distribution of assignments and their reflection in the academic timetable is underway. Upon completing all the required documents and putting the data into the SAP system, a relevant preliminary assignment is formed and the name of the teacher of a particular discipline is inserted into the timetable. Often one discipline requires several teachers in different types of classes. It refers to practising specialists in a given professional sphere that are crucial for high quality practical training of the students in every discipline. The time of completing the timetable with the names of teachers is directly related to the time of providing and processing all the required documents as well as putting the data into the relevant information systems.

    5. Current issues with organising the teaching and learning process

    Over the past period, the Virtual Reception received 76 enquiries from students and teachers (including 30 questions on educational and methodological issues) to the Senior Vice Rector for Academic Activities and Teaching Methods. 32 enquiries were registered in the enquiry register.

    The topics of enquiries include the following: transfer to St Petersburg University; receiving information about an academic programme; graduation project; getting an academic leave; entry of international students to the Russian Federation; time frame of posting the results of the Central Committee on Transfer and Readmission meeting; academic timetable; resitting time frame; distributing into groups based on the level; entry of the international student to the Russian Federation; status certificate requests; preserving the format of studies with the use of information and communication technologies; possibility of studying remotely; request of an individual curriculum; studies of international students with the use of information and communication technologies; timetable; and returning from an academic leave.

    Students keep asking about the format of classes in the new 2021/22 academic year and the timetable. The students receive timely replies that in accordance with Order No 7991/1 dated 13 August 2021 ‘On the format of classes in the 2021/2022 academic year’ with the goal of providing for sanitary and epidemiological safety, protecting life and health of students and preventing the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), following the Guidelines of Rospotrebnadzor (Russian Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing) on countering the spread of the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) at universities approved by the Chief State Sanitary Doctor of Russia on 29 July 2020 (MP 3.1/2.1.0205-20), St Petersburg University order No 6991/1 dated 3 August 2020 ‘On organising the implementation of Guidelines on preventing the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in educational establishments of higher education’ and order No 7516/1 dated 28 August 2020 ‘On the implementation of degree programmes in the midst of the new coronavirus disease’, and in view of the current epidemiological situation at St Petersburg University, a hybrid format of classes has been established for the 2021/22 academic year. It combines in person classes and distant classes with the use of information and communication technologies. Under the hybrid mode lectures shall be conducted remotely with the use of information and communication technologies, while workshop-type classes (seminars, practical classes, laboratory activity, colloquia, etc.) shall be conducted in person.

    According to paragraph 2.2.3. of the Academic Regulations for bachelor’s, specialist’s, and master’s programmes and programmes of middle level professional education at St Petersburg University approved by Order No 470/1 dated 29 January 2016, academic timetable for the period of studies is developed and sent to the students and teachers no later than 31 August before the start of the autumn term of every academic year and no later than three calendar days before the start of the spring term of every academic year via publication on the information stands of the Academic Office and at the University’s website.

    Classes at St Petersburg University start on 1 September 2021. Current information on the format and date of the start of classes (in person and remotely with the use of information and communication technologies) in every academic programme is published on the Electronic Timetable.  Students are provided with all the necessary information on the organisation of the teaching and learning process.

    The enquiries on switching to a distant format of studies entirely or on increasing the amount of in person classes are being considered. The replies will be given in accordance with the rules established by Order No 7991/1 dated 13 August 2021 ‘On the format of classes in the 2021/22 academic year’.  

    According to the information from the directors of academic and research departments, classes are conducted according to the timetable in a hybrid mode.  The teaching and learning process in the 2021/22 academic year at the Faculty of Foreign Languages is implemented following the principle of filling the groups.  The work on continuous support of students in the form of regular (planned) and unplanned (in case of necessity and inquiries on the part of students) individual and group consultations including those with the use of information and communication technologies has been established.  Placement tests in English in a remote format with the use of information and communication technologies have been arranged.

    The Dean of the School of International Relations received inquiries via e-mail from first-year students about: the timetable; entry to the Russian Federation; connecting to classes in a distant format; and establishing communication among first-year students and academic programme directors. The replies with the links to the Virtual Reception materials have been prepared.

    Over the past week, the heads of some academic and research departments did not hold meetings with the Student Council representatives. 

    The Director of the Institute of History held a meeting with a Student Council representative. On behalf of the students, the chair of the Student Council requested that the classes should be held in a distant format, since not all international students can timely return to Russia.   

    The Director of the Institute of Earth Sciences also received an inquiry from a Student Council representative about the autumn term timetable, since the students of some academic programmes are still performing field work. It was confirmed that international students can enter the Russian Federation.  International and out-of-town students should arrive at the place of studies in accordance with the relevant degree programme curriculum.

    6. Admissions processes at St Petersburg University

    The admission to the fee-paying part-time master's programmes continues. Applications will be accepted till 10 September 2021; the admission orders will be published on 23 September 2021.

    Following the process of admission for foreign citizens, currently together with the Russian Ministry of Education, the University is completing the process of providing documents for the foreign citizens that have been selected on a competitive bases and recommended for admission. The documents include a ‘referral for studying’ document, visa instructions and admission orders for foreign citizens, confirmed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation for places funded from the federal budget.

    It was noted that social networks feature false information that the University provides no accommodation to international citizens (Accommodation options for international students; What is the admission and accommodation procedure for international students at St Petersburg University?).

    The admission procedure for foreign citizens entering the University under state support programmes requires a mandatory ‘referral for studying’ document from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, without which foreign citizens cannot be admitted to the University.  The Ministry of Science and Education will be sending these ‘referral for studying’ documents  to the University till mid-December. At the same time, in some cases the applicants recommended for studies at the University receive no such ‘referral for studying’ documents from the Ministry of Science and Education. Last year, there were about 10 such applicants and some of them even entered Russia and stayed in St Petersburg.

    Every applicant applying under the state programme has a personal account in the information and analytical system of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation. In this personal account the applicant can see his or her current status. Upon going through the selection procedure and receiving a recommendation to study, the ‘Approved by the University’ status appears in the personal account. When the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia approves of the candidate and issues a ‘referral for studying’ document, the ‘Recommended’ status appears in the personal account. Thus, if the candidates enter Russia before receiving the official ‘referral for studying’ document from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, they understand that they might not be recommended for studies.

    At the same time, to observe the rights of foreign citizens the University provides accommodation to all foreign citizens recommended for admission to the University. Thus, even those foreign citizens, for whom the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia has not yet issued a ‘referral for studying’ document, are provided with guest places in the University halls of residence if they want to stay in the University residential premises. 

    In this regard, it was noted that the persons spreading false information in social networks not only show their incompetence in the issue, but also damage the goodwill of the University.

    7. Working programme for student affairs at St Petersburg University and calendar plan for student affairs for the 2021/22 academic year

    According to Federal Law No 304-FZ dated 31 July 2020 ‘On introducing changes to the Federal Law on Education in the Russian Federation in the part of personal development’, changes related to personality development have been made in the part of teaching methodology documentation of educational organisations. Article 12.1 of Federal Law No 273-FZ dated 29 December 2012 ‘On education in the Russian Federation’ provides for the following: ‘personal development of students while mastering degree programmes in educational organisations shall be performed on the basis of the working programme and calendar plan for student affairs developed and approved by such organisations independently, unless otherwise provided by the current federal law’.

    Also, Federal Law No 304-FZ dated 31 July 2020 introduced relevant changes into the academic programme definition specified as a ‘combination of general characteristics of education (scope, content, anticipated results) and organisational and pedagogical conditions presented in the curriculum, calendar schedule, academic programmes of the relevant subjects, courses, disciplines (modules), other components, assessment and teaching methodology materials, and in the cases provided by the Federal Law in the form of a programme and calendar for student affairs and assessment forms’. 

    According to part 2 of article 2 of Federal Law No 304-FZ dated 31 July 2020 ‘On introducing changes to the Federal Law on Education in the Russian Federation in the part of personal development’, ‘academic programmes are subject to alignment with the provision of Federal Law No 273-FZ dated 29 December 2012 ‘On education in the Russian Federation’ (in the version of the current Federal Law) no later than 1 September 2021’.

    Currently, the University staff has developed and approved a working programme for student affairs and a calendar plan for student affairs for the 2021/22 academic year. These projects were prepared in accordance with the teaching methodology recommendations of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia and based on the preliminary working programme and calendar plan for student affairs in an educational organisation of higher educations developed by the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.

    A working group of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia on developing proposals to implement Federal Law ‘On introducing changes to the Federal Law on Education in the Russian Federation in the part of personal development’ created methodological recommendations. Elena Druzhinina, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, was the Chair of the group. Elena Kazakova, Director of the Institute of Pedagogy at St Petersburg University, was Deputy Chair of the group. The working group included representatives of state authorities, educational organisations of higher education, Russian Academy of Education and the following public organisations: the All-Russian Volunteer Movement ‘Victory Volunteers’; the Russian Union of Youth; and the Student Coordination Council of Trade Unions. Relevant recommendations from the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia have been established taking into account the opinion of the Rosobrnadzor – a federal state body authorised to perform inspections in the field of education and hold the procedure of state accreditation of educational activity.

    The calendar plan for student affairs in the 2021/22 calendar year includes the plans and lists of extracurricular events and traditional events in the field of mass culture and sport previously developed with the participation of students. Following the recommendation of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia, the activities in the calendar plan are represented in modules: civil, patriotic, spiritual and ethical, cultural and educational, professional, environmental, and sport personal development. The draft of the programme and calendar plan for student affairs were approved by the standing teaching methodology committee of the Academic Council at St Petersburg University.

    The proposals on improving the listed documents can be sent to the following e-mail:  urm@spbu.ru. The proposals received will be considered when updating and improving the relevant teaching methodology documentation.

    8. Administrative work on countering the spread of COVID-19 by international students entering the Russian Federation

    According to Minutes No18kv dated 27 August 2021 of the meeting of the Emergency Response Centre on preventing the import and spread of the novel coronavirus disease in the territory of the Russian Federation, a new algorithm of organising the arrival of international students coming to Russia to study at universities and community colleges was adopted. The algorithm allows for all international students to enter Russia with the purpose of studies from all international states whether the air travel with these countries has been resumed or not.

    The algorithm approved by the Emergency Response Centre provides for the following.

    Educational organisations should have the infrastructure ready in case self-isolation might be required if the PCR test upon arrival in the Russian Federation is not ready or positive. St Petersburg University has provided for such observation areas in Hall of Residence No 13 at 66/4 Botanicheskaya Street, and Hall of Residence No 19 at 3 Kapitanskaya Street.  

    Educational organisations should prepare the lists of international students planning to arrive in Russia. Based on these lists, the University submits information to the Public Services Portal ‘Gosuslugi’ and sends visa support requests to the local offices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, while the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia sends the relevant information to the Ministry of International Affairs. Currently, the students are informed via an official portal (Up-to-date information for foreign citizens; The current procedure of entry to the Russian Federation), social networks and post mailings about the new procedure for foreign citizens to enter the Russian Federation with the purpose of studies. At present, following the inquiries from international students intending to enter the Russian Federation, the University staff accepts the applications to enter Russia and prepare visa invitations. In order to enter the territory of the Russian Federation, international students should inform the University via the Student's personal account by filling the form ‘Entry to the Russian Federation’, so that the University staff can forward this data to the Gosuslugi portal.

    Regional administrations will have to provide for the vaccination of international students. Taking the PCR test remains obligatory. Upon entering the Russian Federation, a student should take a PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours. Medical staff of St Petersburg University takes test material from those students who stay at Hall of Residence No 13 at 66/4 Botanicheskaya Street and Hall of Residence No 19 at 3 Kapitanskaya Street under observation. The international students living outside the University halls of residence should take the test independently in the laboratories with the relevant licence.  Before receiving the results, the students should self-isolate independently on the place of accommodation. At the same time, the University staff keeps providing information and support to international students on these issues.

    9. Participation of scientists at St Petersburg University in the project on studying SARS-CoV-2

    Yury Fedotov, Director of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University, spoke about the participation of the University staff in a large-scale project on studying SARS-CoV-2 in surgical patients. 15,025 specialists from 122 countries have become a part of the international project, which is an unprecedented number of scientific article authors. One of the articles has been published in the British Journal of Surgery – a renowned journal of the first quartile in the field of surgery.   One of the research results is that vaccination will help to avoid over 58,000 of deaths caused by the coronavirus per year.

    The goal of the researchers was to determine how COVID affects the results of surgery and how the risk of infection in planned surgery can be minimised.  During the first wave of coronavirus, about 70% of planned surgeries in the world (28 million) were delayed or cancelled. It has been determined that having COVID-19 before or after the surgery increases the probability of postoperative death. 

    But why the number of countries is 122? To efficiently answer multiple questions on preparing and conducting surgeries and postoperative manipulations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, scientists from 122 countries have united in the form of the COVIDSurg Collaborative informal society. The society includes both young researchers and multiple internationally acclaimed scholars.  Among them there are 20 scientists and students of St Petersburg University: 16 staff members of the Pirogov Clinic of High Medical Technologies at St Petersburg University; one doctoral student; one clinical residency student; and two students of the Faculty of Medicine at St Petersburg University. Six research groups worked in the clinical departments of cardiovascular surgery, urology, trauma surgery, gynaecology, endocrine and general surgery at the clinic of St Petersburg University (COVID-19 vaccination before surgery could help avoid 58,000 deaths a year).

    The COVIDSurg Collaborative society collects the data of importance for practical surgery including various patient monitoring statistics. The data of 140 patients from 116 countries have been analysed. There is a special group of 35 young researchers from Great Britain, Germany, Sweden, the USA and other countries that summarise the information and prepare publications in globally acclaimed journals. One of the articles of the society was published in The Lancet journal with the impact factor twice as high as that of The Science and The Nature.  Apart from this publication there are three others in Q1 journals.

    According to the results published in Anaesthesia and The British Journal of Surgery, the main conclusions are as follows:

    The safest time period before a planned surgery should be no less than seven weeks after going through SARS-CoV-2. Otherwise, the risk of mortality and lung complications within the first 30 days after the surgery exceeds two times.

    The patients who plan a surgery should get vaccinated on a priority basis. The most vulnerable group of people over 70 years old should be vaccinated first.   According to the research, vaccination of patients before planned operations will help to avoid over 58,000 COVID-associated deaths every year. 

    Anatoly Puyu, Director of the Graduate School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said that British Publishing House Routledge Taylor & Francis Group published a collective monograph called ‘COVID-19 in International Media. Global Pandemic Perspectives’. The book includes a chapter covering COVID-19 for Russian-speaking users of social networks in China and Italy.  The research ‘Bloggers against panic: Russian-speaking bloggers in China and Italy reporting about COVID-2019’ was performed by Associate Professors Anna Smoliarova and Ekaterina Sharkova and Assistant Professor Tamara Gromova. The chapter is the result of digital communication studies amidst the pandemic (Scholars from St Petersburg University publish an international multi-authored monograph on digital communication amid the pandemic). The book also includes chapters written by scholars from China, the USA, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain, Turkey, Vietnam, Serbia, Indonesia, and Cyprus.

    10. Experts in bioinformatics at St Petersburg University are the first Russian scientists to receive a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

    In September, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative international foundation announced the results of the competition for financial support of projects under the Essential Open-Source Software for Science (CZI EOSS) programme. Experts in bioinformatics from the Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology at St Petersburg University received the CZI EOSSS grant for the development of the SPAdes and QUAST projects – open-source software for biomedical research.

    St Petersburg University was the first organisation whose application under EOSS programme was supported by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative foundation. Over the history of this programme initiative starting June 2019, the foundation has supported 121 projects. Among the winners were the applicants from the world leading universities and famous research organisations of North America and Europe including: Stanford University; Harvard University; Boston University; the University of California, Berkeley; Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT); KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm; and many others. In 2021, only 35 projects have received funding.

    The competition for grant support under CZI EOSS programme is held annually. Teams of scientists from research and educational institutions all over the world take part in the selection process.    The maximal amount of financial support can reach 100,000 USD per year.  Grants are given for two years for the organisations to cover their operating expenses including compensation of the participants’ costs, business trips, equipment. Among the important selection criteria are: scientometrical parameters; competences and experience of the team members; and the estimation of the role and impact of the developed open-source software for the research community – its value and importance as an essential tool for modern research and development in biology and medicine. Experts also assess whether: the developed software solution is mature; it corresponds to the most recent open-source software development techniques; and the programme is useful and highly demanded based on the number of users and growth dynamics.   

    The support provided to the Center for Algorithmic Biotechnology at St Petersburg University by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative is a unique precedent for Russian research infrastructure. For the first time Russian research services and software tools used by thousands of users all over the world have been recognised at the global level.  The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative grant validates the software developed by scientists at St Petersburg University on a global scale (Bioinformatics at St Petersburg University are the first Russian scientists to receive a grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative).

    The grant of about 150,000 USD will be given for the period of two years.  The money will be transferred to St Petersburg University and spent exclusively for the project costs.

    11. ‘Books saved from the basement: epilogue’ – 15 years of rotation work by St Petersburg University staff

    The story ‘Books saved from the basement: epilogue’ has been published at the main University portal. This is the last part in the series of publications on saving and preserving books of historical, cultural and scientific value from the consequences of disorder and many years of improper storage.

    A long story of saving University books completed in July 2021 by replacing over 100,000 items from the ‘Philology’ pool of the M Gorky Scientific Library of St Petersburg University located in the basement of the building at 7-9o Universitetskaya Embankment. The works on the selection, transportation, sanitary treatment with the use of chemical agents has been performed by the library staff for almost 15 years (A Fresh Start: hospital for the books).

    The books were placed to the basement in 1999. Based on Rector’s order No 809/1 dated 21 October 1999, 411,977 books of the Faculty of Philology as of 1 January 1999 were taken out of the rooms with the general area of almost 1,000 square metres at 26, 1st Line, Vasilyevsky Island. The books were thrown in the rooms with the area of 600 square metres in the basement and in the rooms on the second floor at 7-9o Universitetskaya Embankment, where the Department of Physical Culture was located at that time.  The provided area was 1.5 times less than the required area for the book collection of that size, to say nothing of the reading room, delivery desk and working area. The relocation of the books was performed urgently. As a result, most of the books were thrown on the floor in heaps, while only a small part of them were piled on the shelves. For example, one of the basement rooms was filled with books almost up to the ceiling and when opening the door, they fell out into the adjacent room.

    In January 2002, a hot water leak occurred in the basement due to the heating system breakdown. The books and magazines on the floor were severely damaged with water.  As it turned out, no measures on saving the books were taken. The saved part of the scientific book collection in the field of philology has become available to the readers again after a 22-year break.

    In the recent years, several stories on saving the books have been published at the University portal. The library collections were stored improperly in different University buildings and the work on returning the books to readers has often been unsuccessful.  Despite the fact that during the past decade over  one million books have been returned to readers, it is impossible to say how many books from our collections have been irretrievably lost, damaged or stolen due to poor management of the University in those years.