Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
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In December, the Belarusian-Russian University (BRU) hosted four delegations from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. These visits, part of joint educational and research projects, covered key technological areas: cyber-physical systems, welding technologies, intelligent transportation, and modern construction technologies. Each meeting had a rich program and yielded concrete results, strengthening the strategic partnership between the two universities.
As part of the joint work, representatives of the SPbPU Graduate School of Cyber-Physical Systems Management, Associate Professor Vyacheslav Potekhin and Senior Lecturer Elena Selivanova, visited the partner university. An international professional retraining program, "Models and Tools for Enterprise Digital Transformation," was agreed upon and prepared for launch for the first cohort of BRU students, who will begin their studies in March 2026. A joint scientific seminar was also held, featuring faculty and young scientists from both universities, where five papers were presented. Vyacheslav Potekhin conducted lectures and practical classes for BRU students on the topic of "Cyber-Physical Systems and Technologies," including work on a real case. Joint work continued on the online bachelor's degree program, "Artificial Intelligence in Technical Systems," which is already attended by 25 students, and a new online program, "Digital Platforms of Cyber-Physical Systems," offering two qualifications, is ready to launch in 2026.
Representatives from two leading schools of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport (IMMT) of SPbPU also visited the Belarusian-Russian University: the Higher School of Materials Physics and Technology and the Higher School of Transport.
Professor Sergey Parshin and Associate Professor Irina Ivanova (Higher School of Materials Physics and Technology) held lectures on "Modern Welding Technologies" and "Theory of Welding Processes" for students of the Welding Equipment and Technology Department at BRU. Their colleagues from the Polytechnic University also held working meetings with Artur Koroteyev, Head of the Welding Equipment and Technology Department, and his team. They discussed the implementation of joint educational programs in 2026, applied research, the preparation of joint scientific and educational publications, and the academic mobility of students and faculty. As a member of the Dissertation Council at the Belarusian-Russian University, Sergey Parshin participated in the defense of his PhD thesis in "Welding, Related Processes, and Technologies."
The delegation from the Higher School of Transport included Director Alexey Grachev, Associate Professor Sergey Nikitin, and graduate student Maxim Pichugin. The visit included a series of lectures on intelligent transport systems, where modern methods of traffic management were discussed using the example of St. Petersburg. During working meetings with colleagues from BRU, in particular with Igor Leskovets, Head of the Department of Transport and Technological Machines, issues of improving educational programs, creating joint online courses, and integrating artificial intelligence into the educational process were discussed. An important practical outcome was the development of an exchange roadmap: internships at the Polytechnic University on digital technologies and AI are planned for BRU faculty, and short-term continuing education modules are planned for students. For graduate student Maxim Pichugin, the trip was an opportunity to establish initial scientific contacts and explore educational practices. The visit concluded with a tour of the practice-oriented "Industry 4.0" center, where the guests assessed the potential for implementing similar methods in joint programs.
Another significant event was the research internship of SPbPU Higher School of Hydrotechnical and Energy Cooperation (HSEC) staff members—Associate Professor Mikhail Romanov and Senior Lecturer Vyacheslav Zhazhkov. The internship focused on studying advanced non-destructive testing methods for buildings and structures, including ultrasonic, radiographic, and thermal imaging diagnostics. Upon completion of the training, the participants received certificates from Natalia Vologina, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at BRU.
During the visit, a ceremony was held at which 39 employees of the BRU Faculty of Civil Engineering received certificates of advanced training in emission decarbonization and BIM modeling programs, implemented with the support of SPbPU.
At the final working meeting of the leadership of the SPbPU Institute of Industrial Engineering and the Faculty of Civil Engineering at BRU, promising areas of cooperation for 2026 were outlined. The most significant of these were the development of documentation for the launch of a joint network bachelor's degree program in "Technosphere Safety" in 2027 and the creation of a joint educational laboratory on BIM technologies.
A series of December visits by SPbPU delegations to the Belarusian-Russian University clearly demonstrated the high dynamism and practical focus of the strategic partnership. Having moved from general agreements to implementation, the universities are successfully launching new educational programs, organizing internships, conducting joint research events, and planning the creation of a common educational infrastructure. This multifaceted collaboration creates a solid foundation for the development of a unified scientific and educational space and the training of highly qualified personnel capable of addressing pressing technological challenges facing the economies of Russia and Belarus.
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