Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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A ceremony was held at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to present the gown and diploma of Honorary Doctor of SPbPU to Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Vitaly Savelyev, a graduate of the Polytechnic University.
"Today is a significant day that will go down in the history of our university. It's a great honor for the Polytechnic University that our graduates are returning, but in a new guise. Vitaly Gennadyevich, welcome to your alma mater!" SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy greeted the distinguished guest. "We are proud that among our graduates are outstanding individuals who play an invaluable and crucial role in the development of the country and in the advancement of its transportation system."
The Rector of SPbPU particularly noted that among the guests invited to the ceremony were Vitaly Gennadyevich's teachers: the curator of his study group, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Albert Yakovlevich Bashkaryov, and the scientific supervisor of Vitaly Savelyev's diploma thesis, Vladimir Vachaganovich Badalov, then an associate professor in the Department of Construction and Road Machinery and Equipment at LPI.
In his presentation to the Honorary Doctor, SPbPU Academic Secretary Dmitry Karpov highlighted his professional path from a commissioning engineer and chief designer to Deputy Prime Minister and Special Representative of the President of the Russian Federation for the Development of the North-South International Transport Corridor. Since the 2000s, Vitaly Savelyev has held senior government positions: he served as Deputy Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation. On May 14, 2024, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation.
Dmitry Karpov emphasized that Vitaly Gennadievich has never lost touch with the Polytechnic University and continues to make a significant contribution to strengthening the Polytechnic's strategic partnerships in its ongoing engineering projects, which address the creation and development of innovative technologies with organizations in the transportation and road-bridge sectors.
The entire staff of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University highly values Vitaly Gennadievich's active participation and his personal involvement in the university's work. "We are all delighted and proud that, in addition to the main diploma signed in 1977 by Professor Konstantin Pavlovich Seleznev, Rector of the Leningrad Polytechnic Institute, today an honorary diploma signed by Andrei Ivanovich Russky, Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, will be presented to this highly accomplished professional whose career began here," Dmitry Karpov emphasized.
Students wearing early 20th-century Polytechnic University uniforms carried the doctor's gown and cap into the Academic Council hall. As per tradition, the Polyhymnia choir performed the Gaudeamus anthem. Andrei Rudskoy presented Vitaly Gennadyevich with an Honorary Doctor medal, a book about the Polytechnic University's honorary doctors, and a copy of his personal file.
Vitaly Savelyev wholeheartedly thanked the Polytechnic University for this honor. In his response, he noted that the knowledge he gained at the Polytechnic University laid the foundation for his entire life: "The Polytechnic University's knowledge base was precisely that—it lasts a lifetime. It is a great honor for me that you have inducted me into the university. Present here today are two of my professors and mentors, to whom I am grateful for the way they instilled in me not only their knowledge but also their souls. We still communicate. Albert Yakovlevich is still on duty, developing new, modern road surfaces, and I help as much as I can, because these are unique developments that meet international standards. It is with great excitement and trepidation that I accept the Polytechnic University award, and I hope that we will continue to work together for many years to come."
Following the ceremony, Vitaly Savelyev was given a tour of his alma mater: he walked through the gallery of distinguished polytechnicians in the Main Academic Building, listened to the organ in the White Hall, and saw many unique exhibits in the SPbPU History Museum. His visit continued at the Technopolis Polytech Research Building, where the Deputy Prime Minister learned about the latest developments by Polytechnic scientists and engineers in additive manufacturing, unmanned systems, and construction.
Following this, Vitaly Gennadievich answered questions from SPbPU students and staff at a meeting of the "You Have the Floor!" discussion club and gave an interview to the Polymer student media center.
At the end of the visit, Vitaly Savelyev concluded: "The issue of national technological sovereignty is urgent today. Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is actively involved in the implementation of a number of transport projects. I would especially like to highlight the expertise of SPbPU specialists in developing electric transport models and digital twin technologies for railway rolling stock components. They also have strong expertise in developing digital technologies for unmanned aerial systems. I am confident that, thanks to the Polytechnic University's high intellectual and expert potential, we can jointly ensure and strengthen our country's technological leadership in many areas."
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