Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The heat treatment laboratory for metals and alloys has reopened at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University after a major renovation. The renovation of the classroom space was made possible thanks to financial support from Severstal.
The opening ceremony, which began in the large chemistry auditorium, was attended by SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy and Polytechnic University graduate Evgeny Vinogradov, CEO of the Severstal Russian Steel and Resources Assets Division.
"Our country faces colossal challenges: creating our own import-independent industry, achieving technological sovereignty, and achieving technological leadership. And this will be accomplished by university graduates—today's students and tomorrow's engineers," Andrey Rudskoy opened the event. "The Polytechnic University trains specialists across a wide range of industrial sectors. But today's event is particularly significant. For over half a century, since its founding in 1955, the Cherepovets Iron and Steel Works has been our strategic industrial partner. And we are its core university. To see tomorrow, we need to work today on modern equipment, study technologies, have a reliable equipment base, and, most importantly, open doors to the enterprise, where students can learn their future professions in practice." If we teach students without any connection to production, using only our laboratory equipment, graduates arrive at enterprises two or three years behind, because universities can never keep up with the technological processes at factories. That's why today's event is so important—we're eliminating the systemic gap between engineers and production."
Evgeny Vinogradov then addressed the students. He shared his memories of his student life and noted that today's visit to his alma mater was very important to him. Particularly moving was the moment when the Polytechnic University rector presented him with the "For Merit" badge and a copy of his personal file as a souvenir. Evgeny Nikolaevich also spoke about his career choice, his first steps in production, the company's significant projects, and answered questions from the audience.
In the laboratory, Andrei Rudskoy and Evgeny Vinogradov personally tempered metal samples to symbolically strengthen the ties between Polytechnic University and Severstal.
Severstal allocated 11.4 million rubles for the modernization of the heat treatment laboratory, and another 2 million rubles for the purchase of equipment and modern laboratory furniture. Severstal's total investment in the development of SPbPU's educational infrastructure this year amounted to 20.9 million rubles, including 9.5 million rubles for the renovation and branding of student classrooms.
"Developing engineering education is one of the company's key priorities when it comes to developing young talent. It's important to us that future specialists master technologies not only in theory but also in practice, using modern equipment. The opening of the renovated heat treatment laboratory is an investment in the quality of engineering training and the sustainable development of the industry as a whole," noted Evgeny Vinogradov, CEO of Severstal's Russian Steel and Resource Assets Division. "The opening of the renovated heat treatment laboratory means the path from the classroom to actual production is becoming even shorter and clearer. I am confident that this laboratory will become a magnet for talented and motivated young engineers."
The renovated laboratory is equipped with modern metallurgical equipment, allowing for a full range of teaching and research projects. The installed equipment includes muffle heating furnaces, universal and microhardness testers, and metallographic microscopes. This allows students to work with technologies as close as possible to industrial conditions and gain practical skills in demand in production. The upgrades not only affected the technical aspects but also the learning environment—the laboratory has become modern, functional, and comfortable for students and faculty.
The laboratory's infrastructure will also be actively used as part of the multi-track model for training engineers in metallurgy and materials science, developed by SPbPU jointly with Severstal. The first intake for the program took place in September 2025 and has already attracted motivated applicants with a high level of preparation.
On the same day, a classroom was opened in the Chemical Building, renovated and equipped with financial support from Severstal.
The past year has been a landmark one for both Polytechnic University and Severstal. 95 years ago, the Leningrad Industrial Institute was founded Department of Heat Treatment of MetalsToday, it's an important part of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport. In 1955, the Cherepovets Iron and Steel Works—one of the plants that today forms the flagship of Russian metallurgy, Severstal—began operations. Therefore, the opening day of these two new, modern educational spaces was a true celebration for Polytechnic students and faculty. A pre-New Year's atmosphere permeated the Chemistry Building: a quest was held, prizes were raffled off, career advice was available, a case study was held, and refreshments were enjoyed at the food court.
Cooperation The partnership between Severstal and SPbPU has been ongoing for over ten years and includes joint educational programs, the development of laboratory and research facilities, R&D, and the training of young specialists, many of whom subsequently choose careers with the company. In 2024, the company donated VR simulators to the SPbPU laboratory for educational purposes.
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