Minutes of the Rector’s Meeting

Lyudmila Gromova, Professor Emeritus of St Petersburg University, wins the Golden Pen of Russia award

Lyudmila Gromova, Head of the Department of History of Journalism at St Petersburg University and Professor Emeritus of the University, was awarded the main professional award in the media sphere "The Golden Pen of Russia" in the Journalism Legend category (Lyudmila Gromova, Professor Emeritus of St Petersburg University, wins the Golden Pen of Russia award in the Journalism Legend category).

The prize was established by the Russian Union of Journalists and has been awarded annually since 1997 for outstanding professional achievements, many years of work in the national press, radio and television, for civic position and impeccable moral authority among colleagues.

In addition to the traditional nominations, special prizes were awarded for courage in the performance of journalistic duty and professional excellence. This year, 48 journalists and media managers are among the prize winners.

The meeting participants congratulated Lyudmila Gromova on her well-deserved award.

Scientists develop a machine learning approach to diagnose nonconvulsive status epilepticus using EEG recordings

A group of researchers, which included scientists of St Petersburg University, has developed a programme for diagnosing nonconvulsive status epilepticus using electroencephalography (EEG) recordings. For the first time in the world, to solve this problem, the researchers used the extreme value theory, i.e. the theory that helps predict extreme events: epidemics, tornadoes, and wildfires. The algorithm is already undergoing preclinical trials with the accuracy of 80%.

The researchers were able to find evidence that allows epileptic seizures to be classified as extreme events. Notably, increasing noise in the EEG signals before an epileptic discharge and specific brain electrical activity distribution are the symptoms.

The scientists’ findings opened the possibility to diagnose epilepsy using mathematical methods, namely the extreme value theory. It describes certain modes of behaviour of complex systems that are characterised by abrupt and large-scale changes. With its help, mathematicians determine the likelihood of extreme events such as tornadoes, wildfires, power cuts, and even side effects of medicines.

The programme was tested on the EEG recordings of 83 patients at the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Centre. To check the accuracy of the assessment, the results were compared with electroencephalograms, in which epileptic seizures were noted in advance by an epileptologist. Consequently, the results of the algorithm coincided with the epileptologist’s marks in 80% of cases.

Now the neural network is undergoing preclinical trials at the Pirogov National Medical and Surgical Centre, but the scientists plan to improve it by raising the accuracy of the algorithm to at least 95%.

Current issues with organising the teaching and learning process

Over the past week, the Virtual Reception received eight enquiries addressed to the Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities. Additionally, two enquiries were registered in the student enquiry register. Among the enquiries submitted were those concerning the possibility of obtaining the original certificate, and the procedures of transfer and reinstatement to St Petersburg University (e.g. Possibility of transfer to St Petersburg University; Possibility of transfer).

According to Senior Vice-Rector for Academic Activities Marina Lavrikova, since 24 February, 228 requests have been received to be transferred to St Petersburg University from universities of the following countries: The Czech Republic; Germany; Poland; Israel; the Donetsk People’s Republic; Romania; Canada; the USA; Switzerland; France; Ukraine; Spain; Austria; Italy; Latvia; the Lugansk People’s Republic; Finland; South Korea; Lithuania; Hungary; Belgium; Greece; Great Britain; Slovakia; Singapore; Japan; and Spain. As of today, orders have been issued to enrol 55 students as an academic transfer from a foreign educational organisation of the following countries: the Donetsk People’s Republic; the Czech Republic; Poland; Latvia; Hungary; the USA; Italy; Slovakia; Germany; Canada; the Lugansk People’s Republic; Ukraine and Spain. The students were admitted to the following fields of study: "Public Administration"; "Political Science"; "Tourism"; "Geology"; "History"; "Arts and Humanities"; "Advertising and Public Relations"; "Psychology"; "Management"; "Business Informatics"; "Design"; "Philology"; "International Relations"; "Economics"; "Mathematics and Computer Science"; "System Analysis and Control"; and "Law". Thirty four students were enrolled on a government-funded basis, while 21 students were enrolled on a fee-paying basis. Planned work is underway with other applicants.

Meetings of the heads of academic subdivisions of St Petersburg University with the student activists have been postponed until the end of August.

Activities of the Alumni Office

Sergey Andryushin spoke about the projects that the St Petersburg University Alumni Office was currently working on.

Organisation of the St Petersburg University Alumni Day

On 10 September 2022, St Petersburg University will hold the St Petersburg University Alumni Day for the University alumni and their families, staff and students. The event will take place in the Twelve Collegia building at the University. The programme of the event includes: business sessions; scientific stand-up; workshops; scientific debates; exhibitions of scientific achievements; and excursions in museums of St Petersburg University. The meeting participants will have the opportunity to immerse in the atmosphere of education, research, and the exchange of experience. You can register for the event here.

During the meeting, Sergey Andryushin asked the directors and deans to communicate this information to alumni and to submit proposals for the participation of renowned graduates as speakers at the events of the St Petersburg University Alumni Day.

Podcast "Grads on air" for alumni and students

The "Grads on air", i.e. a podcast for alumni and students, has been launched. The first issue is dedicated to management, sustainable development, and memories of studying at the Graduate School of Management at St Petersburg University. Iuliia Arai and Ekaterina Pantiukhova are the first guests of the event. Iuliia Arai is Associate Professor in the Department of Strategic and International Management at St Petersburg University and Academic Supervisor of the programme "Master in Management" at the Graduate School of Management. Ekaterina Pantiukhova is Head of the ESG Directorate at the Sber and a 2019 Master in Management graduate. You can listen to the podcast on the Soundcloud, Yandex.Music, and on the St Petersburg University alumni community page on the VKontakte. Podcast episodes will be released for each area of study. Sergey Andryushin asked directors and deans to submit suggestions and comments on topics for future releases and on the potential guests of the podcast.

Cooperation with partners

The University is working to attract partners among employers to develop the projects that are initiated by the Alumni Office. In July, a meeting was held with representatives of the Nexign company. A joint mentoring programme for third- and fourth-year bachelor’s students and first- and second-year master’s students is being developed. The goal of the project is to promote the employment of students and alumni through developing strong University ties.

On 2 August 2022, an online meeting was held with representatives of Yandex.Toloka. It is a potential partner of St Petersburg University. This crowdsourced project was created in 2014 to quickly label large amounts of data to be further used for machine learning and improving search algorithms. The University proposed to consider the possibility of organising student internships at the company; holding guest lectures by leading experts at St Petersburg University; and launching a joint programme "Mentors" to promote the employment of students and graduates through developing and strengthening student ties with the University graduates working in Yandex.Toloka.

It was also proposed to consider the possibility of participation of graduates who were the representatives of the company in the events of the St Petersburg University Alumni Day as experts of discussion platforms and strategic sessions, debates and public talks.

Mentoring projects and mentoring programmes that are being developed involve close interaction between students and graduates who are the representatives of partner companies. Based on the results of the meetings with a mentor, the programme participants will be able to form a career plan taking into account the advice of mentors on soft-skills and hard-skills. As a result of the work, the mentees will be able to build their career plan for the next 3 to 5 years; improve the level of necessary skills; and understand what to focus on in future.

Statistical data on the growth of subscribers and those registered on the "For alumni" page for the period from 1 June 2022 to 1 August 2022

The 2022 alumni engagement campaign consisted of email newsletters; outdoor printed materials; creating a video about the alumni community; informing students about education and qualifications during the graduation ceremonies; and participation of alumni in other events during this period (including the Socio-Humanitarian Forum of St Petersburg University).

From 1 June to 1 August 2022, the growth of those registered on the "For alumni" page amounted to 222.3%. In other words, their number more than tripled. The page of the St Petersburg University alumni community on the VKontakte was launched on 14 June 2022. During this period. it gained more than 2,000 views and more than 300 subscribers. From 1 June to 1 August 2022, the growth of subscribers of the Telegram channel "Community of St Petersburg University (Leningrad State University) Alumni" amounted to 94.8%. In other words, their number doubled. In the same period, the increase in publication coverage was 184.1%. In other words, it increased by 2.8 times.

Work of academic councils of the academic and research subdivisions

In the first half of 2022, 24 academic councils of the academic and research subdivisions at St Petersburg University held 145 meetings. The leader in terms of the number of the meetings was the Academic Council at the Faculty of Psychology. During this period, the Faculty of Psychology held ten meetings.

Directors and deans timely form and submit draft agendas for meetings of academic councils of subdivisions for approval to Aleksandr Gnetov, Academic Secretary of the Academic Council at St Petersburg University. Compliance of the final protocols with the specified agendas and their timely posting on the St Petersburg University website is controlled by Aleksandr Gnetov.

According to the Academic Secretary of the Academic Council of St Petersburg University, an audit conducted on 1 July 2022 confirmed that all minutes of the meetings of academic councils of institutes and faculties for the above period were published in the appropriate section on the St Petersburg University website. The content analysis of the agendas of the academic councils’ meetings showed that any agenda is formed from two parts. The first part covers the issues that are included in accordance with the requirements of the by-laws of St Petersburg University or the instructions of the Rector, Vice-Rectors, and Deputy Rectors. The second part includes news reports and scientific reports to name just a few.

On behalf of the Rector, the second part of the agendas and the issues considered at the academic councils’ meetings of the academic and research subdivisions at St Petersburg University was significantly updated and expanded during the specified period.

Planning the work of academic councils of faculties and institutes made it possible to combine the work schedules of Vice-Rectors, specialists at St Petersburg University and members of academic councils for additional special presentations and discussions of working issues related to the profile of speakers.

Among the special reports, Aleksandr Gnetov noted a number of interesting and important speeches by the staff of St Petersburg University. To learn more, see the table below. In particular, he mentioned the report by Anastasia Yarmosh, Vice-Rector for Strategic Development and Partnership. He also said that the adjustment of the organisation of the preparation for academic councils’ meetings of the academic and research subdivisions at St Petersburg University proved to be effective for developing a single information space of the University. Additionally, it was also effective for developing joint solutions by all academic and research subdivisions in relation to the tasks set in the St Petersburg University Strategic Plan.

Special speeches at the meetings of academic councils of the faculties and institutes at St Petersburg University:

The results of the first stage of the contest for projects of a commemorative sign "To the Lost Book" summed up at St Petersburg University

Four out of eleven submitted projects reached the final. The authors of the works are members of the academic staff at St Petersburg University (St Petersburg University sums up the results of the first stage of the contest for projects of a commemorative sign "To the Lost Book").

For more than ten years, St Petersburg University has been working to return books to readers. During this time, more than a million titles have returned to the bookshelves. Books are returned to the University in different ways. Among them are: the eve of the All-Russian Day of Libraries; St Petersburg University holds the traditional "Bring the Book Home" campaign; sometimes law enforcement agencies bring to St Petersburg University publications found during investigative measures; staff and graduates on their own initiative or at the call of colleagues return the University’s books. Rare editions are found not only in second-hand bookshops, but also in warehouses in the buildings that previously belonged to the University. Among the ways is also the inventory of the library fund. It has been well underway for more than ten years.

A contest of projects "The Lost Book" was announced. The contest is continuation of this work and a sign of respect for the selfless work of librarians who store and save books. Additionally, it is set to mark the memory of the lost valuable book editions of the University.

To participate in the first stage, the contestants had to submit an essay describing the idea of a commemorative sign. The organisers set the goal of maximum transparency and honesty of the selection. The jury considered the received works. The jury did not know the names and data of the authors. This ensured the possibility of the most impartial evaluation of projects.

Three projects reached the second stage of the contest. The projects were presented by the creative teams of the area of study "Arts". Additionally, there was a project developed by Nikolai Borisov, Professor in the Department of Information Systems in Arts and Humanities at St Petersburg University.

The results of the contest for projects of the commemorative sign "To the Lost Book" will be summed up in December 2022. At this stage, the jury will evaluate the design project of the plastic embodiment of the idea for the commemorative sign.