A drone racing facility has opened at the Polytechnic University.

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Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has opened a training facility for drone racing athletes and competitions. This new infrastructure project is part of a comprehensive training model for the unmanned aerial systems industry. It is being implemented with the support of the Priority 2030 federal program.

The development of a drone racing sports and technology team is an additional component of the practice-oriented training program for UAS specialists. It helps trainees develop robust piloting skills, spatial orientation, and decision-making in dynamic environments. The new training facility includes professional quadcopters, control equipment, and FPV equipment (an FPV drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle that allows the operator to see the surroundings through the drone's "eyes" via special helmets).

The 300-square-meter training ground contains everything necessary for the training and professional preparation of drone racing athletes, including participation in national tournaments. The site has two tracks: one for large drones (200/330 classes) and one for small drones (65/75 classes). The facility also features Nazgul Evoque F5X V2 quadcopters, BetaFPV Meteor75 Pro quadcopters, RadioMaster Boxer ELRS control equipment, FPV goggles, helmets, and all necessary accessories and consumables. The training ground also includes Quadrosim and UAVProf simulators, which house computer-based training rooms.

Drone racing is the sport of the future, requiring both quick reactions and strategic planning. Now, St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has the necessary foundation for its development. SPbPU has effectively built a two-tier training system, which includes drone piloting training and competitive training. The necessary equipment has been approved by the St. Petersburg Drone Racing Federation and has received high praise from experienced FPV racers, commented Timur Akhmetkhanov, captain of the SPbPU drone racing team and a student at the Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity, on the new facility's capabilities.

It's worth noting that the opening of the Drone Race competition site at the Polytechnic University is a continuation of the comprehensive model for training personnel for the unmanned aerial systems industry, which encompasses continuing professional education, youth engineering team activities, scientific research, and the development of specialized infrastructure. SPbPU is the focal point of the federal project "Personnel for Unmanned Aircraft Systems," and the educational model is built on the principle of "learning through practice" with a focus on solving real-world industry problems.

The Polytechnic University is consistently developing its training infrastructure, which includes specialized laboratories for UAV operators, simulator complexes, an expanded fleet of drones, and test sites. The university views unmanned systems holistically, therefore also conducting research in the fields of unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned boats, underwater robotics, and machine vision systems for ground-based unmanned platforms.

Training specialists in unmanned aerial systems requires not only a theoretical foundation but also deep immersion in real-world production processes. We integrate educational programs with industry challenges, developing students' engineering thinking, practical competencies, and readiness to work in a rapidly changing technological environment. This approach allows us to provide the country's economy with qualified personnel capable of creating competitive solutions that meet the strategic objectives of the country's technological development," noted Dmitry Tikhonov, Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education at SPbPU.

Due to the expansion of SPbPU's infrastructure for training drone racing athletes, the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University has announced an additional recruitment call for participants to join the university team.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Polytechnic University offers more opportunities: opening new training areas at ISPO

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The Institute of Secondary Vocational Education at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is now accepting applications for two new programs that successfully completed the licensing process in 2026.

Now, ISPO students will be able to obtain in-demand specialties in material flow management and high-tech automated systems. We have modern facilities for training students. The creation of a new robotics workshop is currently in the active phase," said ISPO Director Roman Baibikov.

02/15/10 "Mechatronics and Robotics (by Industry)"

This program trains specialists capable of servicing, adjusting, and programming modern mechatronic and robotic systems. The program's main partners are two companies: MGBot and ISRobotics.

Collaboration with MGBot will allow students to gain practical skills in working with YoTik 32 controllers, sensors, and actuators. This is the equipment used today to build automation systems for Industry 4.0.

ISRobotics, led by CEO Nikolai Shadrin, also became a strategic partner of ISPO in developing an educational program in "Mechatronics and Robotics (by Industry)." This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and the real-world needs of high-tech industries.

Modern robotics is developing so rapidly that textbooks simply can't keep up with the emergence of new technologies. Our goal isn't simply to provide lecture material, but to impart to students experience working with real hardware and industrial software that they will encounter in enterprises immediately after graduation. We're interested in ensuring that secondary vocational education graduates enter production as prepared professionals, capable of thinking outside the box and solving engineering problems, commented Nikolai Shadrin.

This program will allow students to master equipment used in a variety of industries, from mechanical engineering and the aerospace industry to electrical equipment manufacturing and smart agriculture. Graduates will earn the qualification of "Mechatronics and Robotics Specialist" and will be in demand at companies implementing automated production lines and industrial robots.

38.02.03 "Operational activities in logistics"

The program is designed to train specialists in the planning, organization, and control of goods and cargo flows. Students will learn how to manage procurement, inventory, transportation, and warehousing. Graduates are awarded the qualification of "Operational Logistician." This broad-based specialist can work in transportation companies and the purchasing and supply departments of manufacturing and retail companies. The logistician's responsibilities include optimizing company costs, rationally allocating resources, and effectively managing supply chains.

Traditionally, SPbPU's Graduate School of Industrial Management (IPSM), under the direction of Professor Olga Kalinina, successfully delivers logistics training in higher education. Over the years, dozens of students have been trained in the undergraduate and graduate programs, two laboratories have been opened, numerous projects have been implemented, including at the Sirius Educational Center, and victories have been achieved in various logistics competitions and olympiads. I sincerely hope that at our college, we will be able to build a learning process that is not only effective, utilizing the most advanced information technologies and simulations, but also engaging and engaging for students, just like at GSPM," says Irina Zaychenko, Head of the Educational Programs Directorate.

The launch of new programs at the college meets the needs of the modern labor market, which is in high demand for qualified specialists and engineers. Studying at the Polytechnic University, renowned for its strong engineering school, provides ISPO graduates with a solid foundation that will give them a competitive advantage in employment and for further professional growth.

The Admissions Committee of the Institute of Professional Education of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University will begin accepting documents from applicants wishing to master new specialties on June 20, 2026. Detailed information on admission rules, application deadlines, and entrance examinations is available atofficial website of the institute.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Free vision screening for Polytechnic students

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The PROF.edu service of the SPbPU Trade Union held an eye exam for university students. The event, held in the Polytechnic Tower, generated considerable interest among students.

During the campaign, students received free express vision screenings, as close as possible to an ophthalmologist's visit. The examination included testing with modern equipment, including an autorefractometer and a slit lamp, allowing for a prompt assessment of their vision.

Following the diagnostic tests, participants received specialist recommendations and, if necessary, a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. This format proved very convenient: the examination could be completed directly at the university, without the need for a separate appointment at a medical facility.

Over 100 people registered to participate in the event. Throughout the day, students from various years and institutions were screened, further demonstrating the importance of vision care amidst a high academic workload.

PROF's campaign served as an important reminder that even amidst a busy academic schedule, it's important to find time to take care of your health. Initiatives like these help students prioritize their well-being and receive professional advice in a convenient format.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Polytechnics helped schoolchildren become robotics champions at a tournament in Italy.

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The FIRST Tech Challenge Italy Championship 2026 international robotics championship was held in Cesenatico, Italy. The tournament brought together teams from 13 countries: Russia, Romania, Colombia, Venezuela, Italy, Greece, Slovenia, Zimbabwe, Spain, San Marino, Serbia, China, and Switzerland. Based on the results of all stages of the competition, the Sputnik Original team from St. Petersburg Lyceum No. 244 scored the highest number of points and was recognized as the overall champion of the tournament for the second year in a row, confirming its status as one of the strongest school engineering teams in Europe. Representatives of the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University played an active role in preparing and supporting the winners.

The 2025–2026 FIRST Tech Challenge season is called "HISTORY CODE." Teams are tasked with developing a robot capable of finding and distributing historical artifacts on the game board, completing a series of complex engineering and strategic tasks.

Sixteen mentors from companies and leading technical universities participated in the robot's development and competition preparation. Among them were students and graduates of the Polytechnic University. The team received primary support from Viktor Yakovlev, a first-year master's student at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport, who acted as a mentor. He assisted the young engineers with engineering calculations, mechanics, and testing of the robot's systems. Viktor Popov, a graduate of the Institute of Power Engineering, also worked with the team.

The team developed a new robot specifically for the season, called Hippopotamus. Its task is to find, capture, and distribute game artifacts, performing tasks both autonomously and under human control. The design includes a collection system, a distribution module, a firing mechanism with two modes (with a range of up to 4 meters), and a targeting system. Development was iterative: the team created five full versions of the robot and 24 versions of individual mechanisms, constantly refining the design and software.

Following their victory in Italy, the team continues preparing for the next international competition. From March 27–29, the team will take part in the final stage of the International Open Championship of the League of Engineers at the National Children's Technopark in Minsk. The main event of the season will be the FIRST Tech Challenge World Championship, which will be held from April 29 to May 2.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

A Step into the Future: IPMEiT Day at the Polytechnic Institute of Secondary Vocational Education

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The Institute of Secondary Vocational Education at SPbPU held an IPMEiT Day. The event brought together ISPO students and representatives of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade. ISPO students learned about the program's program offerings, their practical focus and competitive advantages, the educational environment, and career prospects. They were also able to ask questions about admission and education.

Daria Shevchuk, one of the meeting's organizers, welcomed the participants. She introduced the structure of IPMEIT, discussed the undergraduate and specialist degree programs, the curriculum, and graduate employment opportunities.

Maxim Ivanov, Deputy Director for Advanced Projects and Youth Policy at the Institute of Economics, Management, and Telecommunications, introduced students to the institute's extracurricular activities. He spoke about student associations, city-wide and university-wide projects, emphasizing that participation in these activities helps develop leadership skills and professional competencies.

The meeting focused on a practice-oriented approach to education. A series of "professional auditions" were also held by representatives of the Institute of Industrial Management and Telecommunications (IPMEIT) higher education institutions. Ivan Volchkov, Assistant Professor at the Higher School of Industrial Management, conducted a master class on "Fundamentals of Production Logistics," where students were introduced to the principles of lean manufacturing and supply chain management. Students from the Institute of Industrial Management and Telecommunications (ISPO) were introduced to the "Production Process Factory" training and practical laboratory, where modern logistics systems and digital management solutions are simulated.

The Higher School of Service and Trade organized the intellectual game "Tourism Olympus" in a "Joint Game" format. Students worked in teams and answered questions on geography, travel, and the tourism industry, solved logic puzzles, and learned more about professions in tourism and hospitality. The game was led by Anna Karmanova, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Service and Trade and Head of the Service Program, and Ekaterina Tatyanina and Alexandra Skripkina-Kibas, second-year students in the Service and Hotel Management programs.

Ekaterina Ryabizo and Anna Maksimova, specialists from the Higher School of Public Administration, invited students to try their hand at urban planning supervision. Teams developed concepts for urban facilities, determined their locations, and substantiated their compliance with regulatory requirements, presenting their findings in the form of a "facility passport."

Vadim Shabunin, a Master's student at the Higher School of Business Engineering, led a master's class, "What is Business Analytics." He introduced ISPO students to the fundamentals of business analysis. The master class served as a first step toward a career as an analyst. The students learned about the key responsibilities of a business analyst, their interaction with artificial intelligence, and tried their hand at modeling business processes.

Another interactive format was the economic game "The Economy of Goodness in Action," led by first-year students majoring in Economics at the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, Daniil Velichko and Yegor Skidanenko. They presented their own quiz. "Economic Problem" and "Guess the First Time" allowed ISPO students to demonstrate not only their professional competencies but also their resourcefulness, sense of humor, and teamwork skills.

"It's important for us not only to share information about the programs offered at the Institute of Mechanics, Economics, and Technology, but also to provide ISPO students with the opportunity to explore various professional roles. This format helps them better understand their future specialty, recognize its practical significance, and make an informed choice of educational path," noted Maxim Ivanov, Deputy Director for Advanced Projects and Youth Policy at the Institute of Mechanics, Economics, and Technology.

The IPMEiT Day at ISPO was held in an interactive format and friendly atmosphere, allowing students not only to broaden their understanding of future educational opportunities at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University but also to gain first-hand experience in a variety of fields—from public administration to business analytics and logistics.

ISPO students were able to try themselves in a variety of professional roles. "We strive to ensure that every day spent at the university brings students closer to their future careers," noted Irina Zaychenko, Head of the Educational Programs Directorate.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Polytechnic students win the "Archer of the Future" student team competition

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The Northwest finals of the "Archer of the Future" competition took place in St. Petersburg. Eleven universities from six Russian cities participated in the competition. Undergraduate and graduate students developed marketing and PR strategies for real businesses. Eighteen teams presented their projects in the finals, including students from the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations of the Humanities Institute of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University and the Higher School of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade.

The first-year Advertising and Public Relations student team "Balletkor" presented the project "Art Soaring Over Time" for the Anna Pavlova Mirror Room memorial space. Their supervisor was Anna Tanova, associate professor at the Higher School of Music and Social Sciences.

Students from the "Balletkor" team proposed an immersive exhibition format: using communication techniques, visitors are drawn into the atmosphere of seven iconic ballets associated with Anna Pavlova's work—Giselle, The Dying Swan, La Bayadère, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, and La Sylphide. The participants demonstrated that Pavlova's legacy can be interpreted in a contemporary museum space as a vibrant cultural phenomenon, attracting new audiences.

"The competition wasn't just a test of our professional skills, but also a platform for experimenting with form and perception. We aimed to demonstrate that the language of communication can make classical art relevant and tangible to young viewers—through sound, light, interactivity, and thoughtful narratives. This experience gave the team confidence in working with cultural brands in a real-world setting and how to transform iconic stories into a modern communication tool," said team captain Anna Nikitina.

Graduate School of Management and Management students Elizaveta Erosheva, Maria Kochikyan, and Victoria Gerasimova won with their project on developing a development strategy for the premium handmade candle brand DEA. The team was mentored by Graduate School of Management and Management Associate Professor Anna Timofeeva.

The team conducted a detailed analysis of the premium candle market, identified competitors' key vulnerabilities, and proposed a creative concept built around a mindfulness philosophy rather than direct sales. Particular attention was paid to risk analysis across scenarios and the proposed media strategy, which created a "suspense effect" before the launch of offline sales.

From the very beginning, we understood that selling a candle as just another candle would mean getting lost among hundreds of others. The main goal was to demonstrate that the DEA brand is about a "pause" in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We proved that physical contact and trust are more important for a premium product than the number of impressions. Our presentation demonstrated that sincerity and a well-developed brand philosophy can compete with so-called aggressive marketing," the VSPM team members shared their impressions.

At the "Archer of the Future" competition, Northwest Polytechnic students demonstrated strong project management skills, an ability to work with cultural and business cases, and the ability to translate ideas into practical solutions.

"Our teams' victories are the result of systematic work to develop students' professional competencies: from the idea to the presentation and defense of the project before an expert jury," noted Marina Arkannikova, Director of the Higher School of Media Communications and Public Relations at the State University of Engineering. "The client's tasks help young people develop the ability to solve practical problems, argue their case, and defend project solutions at a professional level."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Crimea Day in the Spirit of "Harmony": A Festive Event at the House of Nationalities

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Polytechnic University students, along with volunteers from the SPbPU Dobro.Center "Harmony," took part in an event marking Crimea's reunification with Russia. The event, held at the St. Petersburg House of Nationalities, was timed to coincide with the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia.

March 18 marks a significant anniversary in Russia: Crimea's Reunification Day. It was on this day in 2014 that the treaty admitting the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol to the Russian Federation was signed. This event was preceded by a referendum in which residents of the peninsula expressed their civic position and determined the region's future development path. Since then, this date has become a symbol of unity, historical continuity, and the strengthening of national values.

A noteworthy historical fact: on April 8 (19), 1783, Catherine the Great also signed a historic document—the Manifesto on the accession of Taman Island, the Crimean Peninsula, and the entire Kuban region to the Russian Empire. Six months after Catherine II issued the manifesto, Turkey was forced to relent and sign the "Act of Annexation of Crimea, Taman, and Kuban to the Russian Empire." Shortly before this, Grigory Potemkin decided to hold a "referendum" in Crimea: so-called oath sheets were distributed throughout the peninsula, stating that the residents of a particular settlement swore allegiance to Russia. The majority of the local population signed these sheets. Thus, Crimea also became part of Russia at the request of the residents themselves.

The event's program was rich and truly heartwarming. Polytechnic students (from the Institute of Geology, the Institute of Mechanics and Electronics, the Institute of Social Sciences, and the preparatory course of the Higher School of International Relations) participated in the All-Russian dictation on the topic "Russia—a Family of Families." It was held with the support of the Federal Agency for Nationality Affairs.

Nguyen Vu Thai Minh, a student at the Preparatory Department of the Higher School of International Relations, shared his thoughts: "It was my first time at such a celebration, and I took a dictation in Russian. The text was challenging but interesting, as we all wrote quotes from Vladimir Putin about the unity and brotherhood of the peoples of Russia. I enjoyed being with the Polytechnic students and learning about the history of Crimea."

All participants received commemorative certificates. Vladislav Mikhailov, a graduate of the Polytechnic University and a student of the Polivoks vocal studio at SPbPU, performed the song "Sevastopol Waltz."

Ekaterina Krikopole, an ISI student and volunteer at the Harmony Center, shared her impressions: "I really enjoyed the event! I'm glad I finally visited the House of Nationalities, which amazed me with its incredibly beautiful antique interior. The musical and artistic performances were captivating and left me with a wealth of memories."

The event was given special significance by the speech of St. Petersburg Vice Governor Igor Potapenko and the welcoming address by Oleg Kapitanov, Chairman of the Committee on Interethnic Relations and Migration Policy. This underscored the city authorities' commitment to issues of interethnic unity and the preservation of historical memory.

Another pleasant moment was Igor Potapenko presenting Vladimir Putin's book "Thoughts on Russia" to IPMET student Ruzanna Mkrtchyan.

"I'm so grateful for this surprise and the opportunity to connect with the country's history through this event," said Ruzanna. "The book will be a memorable reminder of the important day of Crimea's reunification with Russia and that even in a big event, there's room for small, yet cherished moments."

I was particularly interested in participating in such an event. The dictation "Russia—a Family of Families" was the most memorable. It's not just a text—it makes you think about the importance of unity, respect, and mutual understanding between people. Such formats are very understandable and relatable, because important meanings are conveyed through simple words. I believe that it is through initiatives like these that one can best feel the spirit of a country and the people who live there," shared Begench Mukhammedov, a student at the Humanities Institute from Turkmenistan.

"It was with a sense of particular pride that we participated in this nationwide initiative, writing a dictation on the theme "Russia—a Family of Families" with young people from across our vast country. This wonderful topic profoundly reflects our traditional values and the unbreakable unity of our multinational people. Together with the students, we worked diligently and competently, making every effort to ensure clear handwriting, and with great interest, transcribed the text about brotherhood and mutual support," noted Tatyana Nam, Director of the Harmony Volunteer Project Center.

We express our gratitude to the management of the House of Nationalities of St. Petersburg, the management of the Humanities Institute, and the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade for their involvement and active work in the field of patriotic education of youth.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Registration for the Russian-African Network University Olympiad is open.

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Registration is now open for the International Olympiad of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU), one of the Polytechnic University's key international projects aimed at developing academic cooperation between Russia and African countries. The RAFU Consortium, created at the initiative of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, currently unites over 100 Russian and 68 African educational institutions from 16 countries, and its activities cover a wide range of fields, from engineering and natural sciences to the humanities and medicine.

230 people have already registered to participate in the Olympiad. The "Computer Science, Engineering, and Future Technologies" track continues to see the greatest interest, with 76 applications. The "Economics and Management" and "International Relations and Humanities" tracks have received 57 and 56 applications, respectively, and the "Biomedicine and Cognitive Sciences" track has received 41 applications.

The geography of participants continues to expand and now includes more than 25 African countries. The leaders in terms of number of registrations are Nigeria (43 participants), Benin (29), Côte d'Ivoire (28), and Gambia (27). Significant numbers of applications were also received from Egypt, Congo, Cameroon, and Sudan, as well as several other countries on the continent.

The Olympiad is held remotely in Russian and English and includes two stages: a portfolio competition and an online interview in the chosen field of study. As a reminder, based on the results of the Olympiad, participants will be eligible for 20 state-funded places in master's programs at Russian universities participating in the Russian-African Network University consortium.

Applications are being accepted The period for participation in the first stage continues until March 30, 2026.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

"My Career in Electronics": Industry Leaders Meet with Polytechnic Students

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Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted a dialogue between industry leaders and young people as part of the 22nd scientific and technical conference for the electronics industry, "My Career in Electronics," aimed at attracting young people to work in the industry.

The event was organized by the conference operator, the Design Center Consortium (DCC). Its key objective is to coordinate Russian electronics industry participants to implement the national strategy for the development of the electronics industry through 2030 and ensure long-term leadership. The moderator of the meeting was Ekaterina Pleskova, Chief Analyst of the DCC's Expert and Analytical Department.

At the event, representatives of electronics industry companies addressed the students and spoke about their companies and career prospects for young professionals.

Olga Litvinova, Deputy CEO of the Aquarius Group of Companies; Dmitry Zaretsky, CEO of NEK.TECH LLC; Evgeny Savchenko, Chairman of the Microwave Electronics Working Group of the Council for the Development of the Electronics Industry of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation; and Zakhar Kondrashov, Secretary General of the Industrial Cluster "Consortium of Robotics and Intelligent Control Systems."

Alexander Korotkov, Director of the Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications at SPbPU, also participated in the meeting. He briefed the students and guests on the institute's structure and graduate program opportunities. He also focused on the SPbPU Integrated Systems Design Center. Participants learned about the center's latest developments and their advantages over similar programs.

A design center is a unique structural component of any institute. Developing innovative designs and products requires a very high level of theoretical training. But practical knowledge related to operating equipment is also essential, of course. Therefore, design centers, which offer that perfect blend of practical and theoretical skills, play a crucial role in training specialists, noted Alexander Korotkov.

The meeting with specialists from the electronics industry generated great interest among the students. After their presentations, each speaker was asked numerous questions about working at the company and its products.

At the end of the event, all participants were able to test their knowledge of electronics by answering quizzes. The questions varied in difficulty. Based on the quiz's results, 10 winners were selected and received commemorative prizes from the organizers.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

At the Polytechnic University, schoolchildren created projects for new districts of St. Petersburg.

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The Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade at SPbPU hosted a team competition in public administration—an intellectual quest called "In the Service of the City," developed using a unique, proprietary methodology. Ten teams and 96 schoolchildren participated in the event.

The quest was held as part of the career guidance project "Smolny School," which is being implemented by the Committee for Civil Service and Personnel Policy of the Administration of the Governor of St. Petersburg.

Polytechnic University is one of the project's key partner universities. The university provides schoolchildren with the opportunity to explore the modern educational environment, its infrastructure, and prospects for professional development in public administration. The project aims to foster informed career choices and promote civil service among young people.

The competition was based on a game legend. Participants were tasked with designing a new district of St. Petersburg, which was just beginning to develop. Teams created a comfortable and modern urban environment, taking into account the interests of residents, infrastructure development, and economic and management aspects.

The work was organized as an intellectual quest. Participants completed five thematic stations, each simulating the activities of relevant government bodies: the Digitalization Committee, the Budget Committee, the Regulatory Committee, the Lean Management Committee, and the Territorial Branding Committee. The students solved practical problems related to urban development and, for successfully completing them, received the game currency—PolyCoin.

After completing the stations, the teams moved on to the design phase, where they used the funds they had earned to purchase infrastructure facilities and create a map of the future district. Participants considered functional zones, transportation links, and the placement of social and commercial facilities, forming a holistic concept for the area's development.

"This team competition, formatted as an intellectual quest, allows participants not only to test their knowledge but also to try their hand at being managers making decisions for the city's development. All tasks take place here and now, so it's important for the students to work as a team, quickly analyze information, and find effective solutions. It's especially gratifying that the competition was developed jointly with the Polytechnic University team. This is the result of extensive collaboration. I'm confident that events like these help the students better understand public administration and, perhaps, take the first step toward a future career in public service," noted Sergei Svechnikov, Head of the Assessment and Personnel Reserves Department of the Civil Service and Personnel Policy Committee of the St. Petersburg Governor's Administration and the project's organizer.

At the competition finals, the teams presented their solutions to a panel of experts.

The final meeting of the Smolny School was truly professional and energetic—we managed to immerse the participants in the real atmosphere of project work. The most valuable thing was the students' sparkling eyes and the bold ideas they presented in the final. Each team took home not only souvenirs but also valuable experience in teamwork and self-confidence. I am confident that the ambassador's main goal—to convey their love for the university—was fulfilled. We look forward to seeing them as our students," noted project ambassador Anton Zubarev, a first-year student majoring in Public and Municipal Administration.

The team from State Budgetary Educational Institution Secondary School No. 47, named after D.S. Likhachev and offering in-depth study of individual subjects in the Petrogradsky District of St. Petersburg, won the competition. The teams from State Budgetary Educational Institution Secondary School No. 598 in the Primorsky District and State Budgetary Educational Institution Gymnasium No. 622 in the Vyborgsky District of St. Petersburg also took first place.

The final round was the highlight of the event: by defending their projects, participants not only demonstrated their acquired knowledge and skills but also experienced the role of real urban engineers, architects, and even conductors of a complex territorial management system. The competition proved its value as an effective career guidance tool, allowing schoolchildren to gain practical insight into public administration principles, develop strategic thinking, teamwork, and design skills.

"It's important for us to create career guidance formats where students don't just receive information but are immersed in real-life management practices. This intellectual quest allows participants to feel part of a decision-making team, explore the interconnectedness of various areas of city governance, and test their skills in solving complex problems. I'm confident that this experience helps students make informed decisions about their future profession and educational path," noted Maxim Ivanov, IPMEIT Deputy Director for Advanced Projects and Youth Policy and the university's project organizer.

The expert jury included representatives of the Committee on Civil Service and Personnel Policy of the St. Petersburg Governor's Administration—Sergey Svechnikov, Head of the Assessment and Personnel Reserves Department, and Dmitry Zemskov, specialist—as well as representatives of the Institute of Mechanics and Technology (IPMET): Maxim Ivanov, Deputy Director for Promising Projects and Youth Policy, and Olga Chemeris, Marina Ivanova, and Tamara Selentyeva, professors at the institute.

For the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade, it is especially important to create formats for schoolchildren that immediately reinforce theory with practice. The intellectual quest allows participants not only to learn the fundamentals of public administration but also to see how management decisions are made in real-life settings. We are pleased to be part of the Smolny School project and contribute to the training of future specialists for the public administration system," noted Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.