The City as a Quest: The Victorious Route of the Polytechnics' "Siberian Code"

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Fourth-year students of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations at the SPbPU Institute of Humanities, Maya Kazakova and Daria Savvateeva, won the All-Russian student project competition "Tourism Potential of Siberian Regions" with their creative concept for the urban educational and tourism quest "AZIMUT HOTELS: Siberian Code."

The winners of the "Siberian Code" project aim to develop Novosibirsk's territorial identity and enhance its tourist appeal through a modern format that combines gamification, storytelling, and partnerships with the city's cultural institutions.

The project's goal is to engage tourists in a historical, cultural, and scientific narrative that reveals the essence of Novosibirsk. The authors note that, unlike traditional tours, their case makes the city route interactive, targeting a digital audience aged 18–45, who are open to new formats and the active exchange of experiences on social media.

We offered Novosibirsk residents and guests a lively dialogue with the city. The idea is for the hotel to become a conduit for Novosibirsk's semantic layers—from its cultural cluster to its scientific heritage. "The Siberian Code" is an attempt to "assemble" the city into a story that can be experienced with the main characters," explained project co-author Maya Kazakova.

The "Siberian Code" route covers key points of the city's identity: the railway station, the opera and ballet theater, the philharmonic and musical theater, the local history and art museums, the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and the pharmacy museum.

The concept is based on a sequential progression through locations using game mechanics, hints, and digital tools. The focus is on balancing educational and entertaining components, engaging partners to offer prizes and discounts, and creating lasting connections between participants, cultural venues, and the hotel brand.

Marina Arkannikova, Director of the SPbPU Graduate School of Management and Social Sciences, noting the important role of the project's mentor, Associate Professor Irina Melnikova, emphasized the significance of the work for both the Polytechnic University and Novosibirsk: "This case demonstrates how our future graduates are already adept at working at the intersection of various fields of social engineering. The students not only presented a compelling approach in terms of methodological approaches but also proposed a philosophy for the city's brand, its values and semantic components. This is a crucial indicator that the Polytechnic University is preparing specialists capable of addressing the challenges of the city, society, and business—responsibly, measurably, and with consideration for the needs and values of their audiences and the objectives of Russia's cultural sovereignty."

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"ARCHI START": Polytechnic University graduates receive diplomas from the international competition

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Three graduates of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University's Institute of Civil Engineering received diplomas from the "ARCHI START" International Student Work Competition. The ceremony took place at the "Russia" National Center.

The competition was open to graduates of higher and secondary educational institutions with degrees in architecture, urban planning, interior design, landscape design, product design, graphic design, and web design. Over 1,800 projects from 125 educational institutions in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and Transnistria were submitted for consideration by the jury.

Present at the ceremony from the Institute of Civil Engineering at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University were Margarita Perkova, Director of the Graduate School of Design and Architecture at the Institute of Civil Engineering, Associate Professors Elena Ladik and Maria Drebezgova, and Anastasia Gracheva, Assistant Professor and author of the Master's thesis on "Renovation of Industrial Facilities in the Structure of Existing Development: The Case of Ulyanovsk."

Anastasia Gracheva's work, completed under the scientific supervision of Margarita Perkova and Maria Drebezgova, was awarded a diploma in the category "Urban Planning Concepts for Built-Up Areas."

Diplomas in the "Landscape and Environmental Recreational and Tourism Infrastructure" category were awarded to the master's theses of Alexandra Sudarikova, a graduate of the Institute of Social Sciences and Architecture (ISS), "Development of Ecotourism Areas in the Republic of Karelia (using the city of Kem as an example)," and Ekaterina Falaleeva, "Development of Ethnographic Tourism Areas in the Far North: Using Central Yakutia as an Example." These theses were completed under the supervision of Associate Professor Elena Ladik.

The competition was organized by the Moscow Region Designers Association and the A. V. Kuzmin Council of Chief Architects of the Subjects of the Russian Federation and Municipalities.

The jury included leading representatives of the professional community, including Nikolai Shumakov, President of the Union of Architects of Russia and President of the Union of Moscow Architects, and Alexandra Kuzmina, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Architecture and Urban Development of the Moscow Region, Chief Architect of the Moscow Region, and Chair of the Council of Chief Architects of the Subjects of the Russian Federation.

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Recognition of merit: Boris Kondin awarded the medal "For work in culture and art"

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By the Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated January 28, 2026, Boris Kondin, Head of the Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity at SPbPU, was awarded the medal "For Work in Culture and Art."

During Boris Igorevich's 20 years at the Polytechnic University, the university's cultural life has reached a new level. The White Hall is now more than just a local university auditorium, but a city-wide concert venue, featured on the billboards alongside theaters and the philharmonic. The White Hall's repertoire annually includes up to 200 concerts, representing all genres of classical and contemporary music, literary evenings, and theatrical productions. Leading artists and musical groups from St. Petersburg, Russia, and abroad perform on the hall's stage. The hall's annual audience reaches 60,000 spectators.

The Polytechnic University is the only university in Russia where you can listen to organ music. Five years ago, thanks to the efforts of Boris Kondin, a three-manual Johannus organ was installed in the White Hall.

In addition to his regular concert activities, Boris Igorevich has been organizing major cultural and educational events since 2010: this includes a festival of Russian music and poetry that has gained immense popularity among city residents. Pushkin Days at the PolytechnicThe Easter Festival, the "Music in the Glitter of Uniforms" military brass band festival, featured performances by People's and Honored Artists of Russia, including Vasily Lanovoy, Alexander Filippenko, Alla Demidova, Veniamin Smekhov, Avangard Leontyev, Dmitry Dyuzhev, and Vasily Gerello. The Terem Quartet, the Valaam Monastery Choir, and the Alexander Nevsky Men's Choir also performed at the Easter Festival.

The All-Russian festival-competition of student choral groups from technical universities, "Blagovest," organized by Boris Kondin, includes 10 technical universities, including the Ural Federal University, the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI, the Stieglitz St. Petersburg State Academy of Art and Design, Petrozavodsk State University, the Irkutsk National Research Technical University, and others.

Since 2019, the Polytechnic University, under the leadership of Boris Igorevich, has been hosting two large-scale joint events with the Committee for Science and Higher Education of St. Petersburg: International Festival "Golden Autumn" AndGovernor's New Year's Student Ball, to which 700 of the best students from all higher and secondary educational institutions in the Northern Capital are invited. Both receive extensive media coverage.

Student creativity has also reached unprecedented proportions. Today, the university has 14 active associations, attended by 700 Polytechnic students. Choirs, theaters, vocal, and dance studios are achieving success in professional competitions. At the initiative of Boris Igorevich, the university established the first technical university in Russia in 2014. student pop and symphony orchestra, who today already performs large solo concerts for residents and guests of the city.

"At the very beginning of my work, I found the materials about the music clubs and student orchestra operating under the Polytechnic's first director, Prince Andrei Grigorievich Gagarin, extremely valuable," says Boris Kondin. "Prince Gagarin's unique approach to the development of culture and student creativity was passed on to Rector Andrei Ivanovich Rudskoy, through whom the Polytechnic became a cultural hub."

Nineteen years ago, at the initiative of Boris Kondin, SPbPU introduced "Creative Semesters" for all first-year students. St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is the only university in the country that integrates the development of students' creative abilities into its curriculum, drawing on the best examples of global music, literature, and other arts. This is a unique project not only for Russia but also for global education.

In 2022, Boris Kondin organized a series of musical and dramatic performances in the White Hall. "Russia, don't be afraid, we are with you!" which explored the tragic events in Donbass through the texts of poets from the Great Patriotic War and contemporary poets living in the cities of Donbass.

In 2024, Boris Igorevich developed and implemented the educational project "Polytechnic University—A Territory of High Culture." Banners featuring quotes from great figures of the past and present were installed across the campus, and the university organized courses on the history of Russian culture, art, and literature—not only for students and staff of the Polytechnic University but also for city residents.

In October 2024, a new project was launched at the Polytechnic University on the initiative of Boris Kondin – "Musical Changes".

Do Polytechnicians know that Boris Igorevich is the author of the Polytechnic University anthem? This magnificent piece of music is played today at all official and ceremonial events at the university, and it is performed in concerts by members of choirs and the pop and symphony orchestra.

The Polytechnic University team is proud that Boris Kondin's multifaceted and long-standing work in creating a cultural space at the university and in St. Petersburg has received state recognition. We congratulate him on this achievement!

"It's a great pleasure to receive this prestigious award and share this joy with my small team, who, like me, believe in the value of culture. This award is an incentive to continue what we've started, to explore new forms, to support students' creative initiative, and to strengthen the university's role as a cultural and spiritual center," Boris Kondin shared.

In 2022, Boris Igorevich became the subject of the "Persona" column. Read the interview with Boris Igorevich onon the portal of the newspaper "Polytechnic".

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According to IT business: Polytechnic University among the top ten universities in the digital economy

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The Digital Economy Autonomous Non-Profit Organization, with the support of the Association of Computer and Information Technology Enterprises and the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, has published a ranking of universities in the digital economy for 2025. It includes 30 universities: 14 from Moscow and St. Petersburg and 16 from other regions of Russia. Polytechnic University ranked 8th, maintaining its position from last year.

"Modern employer demands for specialists are setting trends in higher education. Polytechnic University offers undergraduate and corporate master's programs in IT and artificial intelligence in partnership with Gazprom and Severstal. And in collaboration with leading IT companies like Rostelecom and YADRO, a cross-industry educational center for artificial intelligence has been established at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, and enrollment is open for higher education programs aimed at training highly qualified specialists in machine learning, data mining, and the application of AI technologies in cybersecurity," said Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Lyudmila Pankova. "Thanks to the university's strategic partnerships, we are preparing strong next-generation specialists who can address today's challenges in the national and global economies."

The universities were assessed based on official statistics on IT personnel training (data from university monitoring conducted by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science) and a survey of 255 respondent companies conducted by the Digital Economy Autonomous Non-Profit Organization (ANO). The respondents included leading technology companies: the founders of ANO CE, members of the Association of Computer and Information Technology Enterprises (APKIT), the Association of Software Developers (ARPP) "Domestic Software," large accredited IT companies, representatives of the real sector, and regional IT companies.

The questionnaire included three questions:

Universities with which the respondent companies collaborate; universities from which the company has recruited strong IT specialists who graduated in the last three years; the top 3 and top 7 universities that provide the highest quality training for IT specialists.

In total, respondents mentioned 205 universities from 67 regions of Russia.

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Polytechnic University is the best employer in the Science and Education sector according to the hh.ru 2025 ranking.

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Polytechnic University was included in the hh.ru employer ranking and took first place among the largest scientific and educational organizations, becoming the only university in St. Petersburg in this industry and numerical group based on the results of 2025.

In the overall ranking among the largest companies by number of employees (more than 5,001 people), SPbPU took 114th place, scoring 97.05 points.

"Over 5,500 people work for the benefit of the Polytechnic University, and our goal as an employer is to continuously create an environment in which our employees can not only develop professionally but also feel the value of their contribution to the development of society, higher education, and science," notes Vice-Rector for Human Resources Maria Vrublevskaya. "As part of the university's development program, we have launched a number of initiatives aimed at developing the competencies and qualifications of Polytechnic students, supporting talented individuals through training, internships, and project involvement, as well as onboarding and attracting new employees. Our goals for the new year include optimizing support processes, improving service quality and customer focus, and implementing socially oriented programs. And these are just the first steps on the long road to creating an atmosphere of well-being, security, and self-development."

The annual hh.ru employer ranking is a large-scale labor market study, providing insights into how companies structure their internal HR processes, personnel management, and job seeker interactions. As of the end of 2025, approximately 1,792 companies from 41 economic sectors participated in the study. The final results were compiled based on 692,000 votes cast by job seekers across the country.

Rating xx.ru "This award reflects a high assessment of SPbPU's human resources and internal environment. Our status as a 'best employer' obligates us to strictly adhere to labor quality standards and improve our tools for retaining and attracting leading academic and management personnel," says Maria Pakhomova, Head of the HR Directorate.

The ranking methodology is based on a multi-component assessment, combining: a company-wide HR survey; an eNPS survey assessing the loyalty of current employees; an analysis of former employee reviews; and a survey of external job seekers. This comprehensive approach provides a comparable picture of employer perceptions.

You can see the rating results here follow the link.

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Polytechnic University students won the Bank of Russia's Economic Universiade.

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The Northwestern Main Administration of the Bank of Russia held the 5th Economic Universiade for students majoring in economics. Teams from ten leading universities in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region participated in the competition. Fourth-year students from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University emerged victorious.

Participants faced an ambitious and challenging task: to assume the role of a central bank for two months, making key rate decisions under conditions as close to reality as possible. Using econometric models and daily updated data, the teams managed monetary policy within a DSGE model of a small open economy, maintaining inflation at a target level of four percent. The final in-person round attracted a record-breaking 11 teams. Those who advanced demonstrated not only a deep understanding of theory but also the practical effectiveness of their solutions.

The winning SPbPU team, consisting of fourth-year students majoring in Economics and Finance and Credit Ekaterina Avramenko, Anastasia Kiba, Anastasia Korableva, and Daria Churkina, brilliantly overcame all the challenges. Advancing to the finals and securing first place required the team to demonstrate in-depth analytical modeling, strategic thinking, coordinated work, and the ability to convincingly defend their position. The students built and calibrated complex econometric models, developed a balanced approach to key rate changes that takes into account both short-term trends and long-term stability goals, and established an effective distribution of roles for continuous data analysis. In the finals, before a jury of representatives from the Bank of Russia and the academic community, the SPbPU team not only presented impeccable quantitative results but also convincingly defended their chosen strategy, demonstrating an understanding of the regulator's real-world objectives.

Our students' victory in this prestigious competition, organized by the country's main financial regulator, is a testament to the high quality of education and the relevance of the knowledge acquired at the Polytechnic University.

"Our team's victory at the Bank of Russia's Economic Universiade is a logical result of the fundamental academic training students receive at the institute and their personal determination. "The students have proven that they can not only operate complex models but also think like true financial market strategists. We are proud of their achievement and are confident that this is only the beginning of their long professional journey," commented Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade.

Anastasia Korableva, a participant in the Universiade, shared her impressions: "My team and I were faced with a real regulatory challenge that needed to be addressed within a limited timeframe. We had to not only build an econometric model to ensure the target was met, but also develop a theoretical justification. It wasn't easy, but thanks to our coordinated teamwork and shared passion, we were able to achieve a fantastic result!"

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Winning the Hydrogen TechnoLeaders Awards: Contributing to the Future of Energy

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The Polytechnic University project "Methodology for Assessing Hydrogen Embrittlement of Pipe Steels" won the All-Russian scientific and technical competition "Hydrogen Technoleaders" in the "Hydrogen Energy" category.

Hydrogen is being called the fuel of the future. Hydrogen energy projects have already been launched in Russia, focusing on the development of electrolysis technologies, solar energy, and the construction of production stations and transportation infrastructure, including for pressurized gaseous hydrogen.

One of the risks of hydrogen energy infrastructure projects is materials. The use of widely used steels requires confirmation of their resistance to hydrogen embrittlement, while the use of non-metallic materials and coatings requires studies of hydrogen density and permeability.

For the fifth year, the team from the New Technologies and Materials Scientific and Technological Complex at SPbPU (A. S. Tsvetkov, S. E. Dagaev, A. I. Kolotiy, A. D. Evdokimov, O. V. Molina), together with industrial partners from the metallurgical and oil and gas sectors, has been developing test methods and conducting research on steels and coating materials directly in a high-pressure hydrogen-containing gas environment, as well as with their preliminary saturation with hydrogen.

Pipeline transport is being considered for transporting hydrogen and/or methane-hydrogen mixtures. Given the range of pipes used, steel grades, and operating conditions, continued research is essential for the future of hydrogen energy. A prototype of a new research facility for assessing crack resistance was presented at the competition, along with the results of previous work conducted using unique methods on developed test rigs. "Winning the competition is recognition of our work and confirmation that the chosen approach is in demand and truly important for the future of hydrogen energy," said Anton Tsvetkov, project manager for the New Technologies and Materials Scientific and Technical Complex at Polytechnic University.

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Polytechnics Winners of the BRICS Future Skills Challenge

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At the BRICS Future Skills International Championship on Advanced Technologies and Skills

The team's mentors were Anna Korotkova, an international expert and senior lecturer at the Institute of Civil Engineering's Higher School of Industrial, Civil, and Road Construction, and Dmitry Zharkov, a sixth-year student specializing in the Construction of Unique Buildings and Structures program and the national team's coach.

In the competition, participants created the architectural design of an office center integrating energy-saving and environmentally friendly technologies, developed structural and space-planning solutions, a digital model, completed attribute information, prepared documentation in accordance with international requirements, and presented technologically sound façade solutions using advanced materials.

The final tasks included organizing the construction site, creating a work schedule, and creating a 4D simulation using software. Each solution required not only technical precision but also creativity and the ability to think one step ahead.

Following the championship, Alexander Kolosov and Polina Shirokova were awarded second-place diplomas. Their mentors, Anna Korotkova and Dmitry Zharkov, received BRICS Future Skills certificates.

This result is more than just a medal; it's clear evidence that Russia is confidently taking a leading position globally in digital development in construction. Our students and experts demonstrate a depth of knowledge, innovative thinking, and a willingness to set new standards in BIM technologies. "We're not just participating in global processes—we're shaping the future of the industry," emphasized Anna Korotkova.

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Preservation of cultural sites: Polytechnic students win ArtVision competition

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Third-year students from the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Civil Engineering Institute, pursuing their studies in Information Design and Graphic Design, won first, second, and third place in the All-Russian ArtVision competition, held in Nizhny Novgorod. The competition showcased the best student design, research, and creative work, which was presented to a broad professional audience, including experts in the fields of art and design.

ArtVision aims to stimulate innovative activity and support promising scientific, educational, and creative projects that contribute to the development of education, science, and culture.

The laureates of the competition were Ekaterina Pavlova, Ilana Smirnova, Ekaterina Toshcheva, Anna Vinogradskaya, Varvara Fedoseeva, Maria Vodoleeva, Elizaveta Gromova, Elina Davletshina and Ksenia Zabolotnaya. The work was carried out under the guidance of Maria Illarionova, senior lecturer at the Higher School of Art and Culture of the ISI.

At the competition, students developed corporate identity designs for cultural heritage sites—the Lvova Dacha and the Kannegiser Dacha. Both buildings are significant examples of wooden architecture, reflecting the artistic and historical characteristics of their era and contributing to the city's cultural heritage.

The projects included the comprehensive development of a visual identity: analyzing the historical context and architectural features of buildings, developing an identity concept, creating logos, color schemes, and graphic designs, as well as examples of their application in wayfinding, printing, and the digital environment. Students placed particular emphasis on finding a balance between preserving historical heritage and a contemporary visual language relevant for promoting cultural sites to a wider audience.

The victory of the students from the Higher School of Design and Architecture confirms the high level of their professional training and ability to tackle challenges that require an analytical approach, cultural responsibility, and contemporary design thinking, noted Maria Illarionova.

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A Polytechnic University student project for children with neurodiversity won a competition.

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Students of the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Institute of Civil Engineering at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, Elizaveta Melekhova and Irina Pauls, presented their work at the international Design competition.

The game involves choosing answers and actions while completing tasks. The decisions you make influence not only your success in completing the tasks but also the children's relationships. The boarding school psychologist acts as a teaching character, guiding the player throughout the entire process. A journal is accessible at any time, containing sections including a handbook of traits, children's cards, tasks, inventory, and a map. Movement between locations is accomplished by clicking on the room icons on the map, accessible from the journal.

For people with disabilities or social anxiety, games provide a safe environment for communication and a way to find like-minded people.

The jury awarded The Spectrum a first-place diploma. The project's directors, Semyon Shchur and Victoria Pedenko, both professors at the Institute of Social Studies (ISS), received certificates of appreciation.

Participating in competitions allows us to evaluate the quality of students' work and present the results to the expert community for qualified evaluation, noted Semyon Shchur.

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