Polytechnic students' success at the All-Russian Olympiad in Fuel and Energy Complex Automation

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Students from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport at SPbPU performed brilliantly at the 3rd All-Russian Student Olympiad "Automation and Informatization of the Fuel and Energy Complex." The team participated in the competition with the support of the IMMiT Directorate and the SPbPU Youth Policy Department.

The event took place in the Tver region at the Zaluchye training and production center. Organized by the Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, the Olympiad brought together students from various regions of Russia studying automation and process control.

Participants were asked to solve practical engineering problems. These included programming a REGUL R500 virtual programmable logic controller and developing a human-machine interface for a training technology rig. This rig simulates pressure regulation processes similar to those found in oil pumping stations.

Fourth-year students from the Higher School of Automation and Robotics at IMMiT demonstrated outstanding results. Ivan Pavlyuchenko took first place in the "Programming the REGUL Logic Controller" category, demonstrating strong skills in developing control, protection, and regulation algorithms. Pavel Patrin placed second in the "Development of a Human-Machine Interface in MasterSCADA 4D" category. The expert committee recognized his work for its well-designed operator panel, clear process visualization, ease of use, and creative approach.

"The Olympiad's problems are as close as possible to real-life production challenges in the oil and gas industry. Our success in solving them speaks to the high quality of our preparation and demonstrates our readiness to tackle complex engineering cases in industrial automation," said Olympiad winner Ivan Pavlyuchenko.

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Daniil Porozov: "For me, a hobby isn't an escape from reality, but a source of strength for it."

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Over its 126-year history, the Polytechnic University has acquired many symbols, many of which are now hard to imagine. The Hydrotower, the Main Building, the White Hall, the Grand Staircase, the Monument to the Eternal Student, the Polytechnic Park, donuts, the "Black Bears," adapters, and so on. Perhaps, in a little while, another symbol will emerge. And when the Polytechnic University is mentioned, people will say, "Ah, that's the university with the knights!"

The student role-playing club "Alliance" has recently become a prominent fixture in Polytechnic life. Knights and ladies attend university-wide events and organize their own. This is in no small part due to the active work of club leader Daniil Porozov.

What else do the kids in the "Alliance" role-playing club do? What are their dreams and plans? Why are today's youth interested in the Middle Ages? Read about this and much more in our interview with Daniil Porozov, a master's student at the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology, in the "Persona" section.

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.

The SPbPU team took third place at the Heritage Youth Forum in Moscow.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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An interdisciplinary team from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University won a prize in the student competition "Development and Presentation of a Multifaceted Interdisciplinary Concept for Integrating a Cultural Heritage Site into the Life of a Modern Metropolis and Society," held during the Heritage Forum.

The event was organized by the Moscow Department of Cultural Heritage. The forum brought together restorers, architects, urbanists, researchers, government officials, and student teams from across the country to share best practices for the protection and development of cultural heritage sites.

The Polytechnic University team was represented by students from the Higher School of Industrial, Civil, and Road Construction, the Higher School of Design and Architecture of the Civil Engineering Institute, and the Higher School of Industrial Management of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade: Ekaterina Adamova, Anna Korsuntseva, Anastasia Nikitina, Daria Sokolova, and Anna Anisimova. The teams were supervised by Svetlana Pupentsova, Associate Professor at the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade, and Galina Bardina and Maria Illarionova, Senior Lecturers at the Institute of Industrial Studies.

Polytechnic students developed a comprehensive interdisciplinary concept for the adaptation of the regional cultural heritage site "Palace" as part of the "Obshchnaya Dacha" palace and park complex in Peterhof. The project included a historical and archival analysis and an assessment of the site's cultural value, the development of architectural planning solutions that comply with the requirements of the protected area, a marketing and competitive analysis, including a cost-benefit calculation, and the development of a contemporary brand based on the architectural identity and historical color palette of the façades.

According to the jury, the SPbPU team took third place among 12 teams from across Russia. The experts praised the team's interdisciplinary approach, validity, and compliance with the competition requirements, which called for comprehensive research and the integration of heritage into the urban socioeconomic context.

"Being part of the Heritage Youth Forum was very important to me. It was exciting to participate in both the business program and the competition. The forum left only positive and unforgettable emotions and experiences that I want to share with everyone," said Ekaterina Adamova, a sixth-year student at the Institute of Social Studies.

The SPbPU team also participated in the forum's business program. Key attention was paid to the integration of cultural heritage into the urban environment through interdisciplinary approaches, practical financing mechanisms, digital technologies, and communications. Experts' presentations at the plenary session emphasized the importance of heritage as a resource for sustainable urban development and the formation of social identity.

Participants discussed strategic design of cultural sites, technologies for creating digital twins and 3D visualizations, practices for developing a site's media brand, as well as methods of field research and community engagement.

The Heritage Forum is a significant event that brings together students and experts to discuss the preservation of historical and cultural monuments. This is especially important for St. Petersburg. Our team plans to continue working on the Palace project and comprehensively revitalize the entire palace and park complex. Participating in the competition and the forum left very pleasant memories. Now I want to delve deeper into this topic and participate in similar events again," shared Anastasia Nikitina, a fourth-year student at the Institute of Mechanics and Technology.

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PolySchool 2025 Finals: Internship at Bauman Moscow State Technical University and Project Defense

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The last month of the year was very eventful for the participants of the PoliShkola project.

Young technology leaders from Polytechnic University visited Bauman Moscow State Technical University. The purpose of the internship was to exchange experiences in organizing scientific and educational activities, study best project management practices, and identify promising areas for joint research and projects.

During the meetings, special attention was paid to BMSTU's comprehensive programs for working with faculty and researchers. Colleagues shared their experiences supporting young professionals, including, for example, methodological support for obtaining candidate and doctoral degrees. The polytechnics were also introduced to and invited to join the unified "Practice Showcase" developed by BMSTU as part of the "Priority 2030" program—a platform designed to share best practices among the country's leading universities.

The visit also included a visit to key laboratory and research centers of MSTU:

The Aurora Mobile Platform laboratory, where development work on the domestic operating system is underway, including the creation of secure applications and specialized software. Colleagues showcased student achievements and discussed monetization and market interactions; the Cybersecurity Monitoring Center (SOC), organized according to a full-cycle principle: from educational programs and scientific research to commercial services and expert support for partners. Internship participants noted the effective model of collaboration with an industrial partner and the involvement of students in real-world projects, starting from their junior years; the Polymer Materials Laboratory, which specializes in the creation of new compounds for additive technologies. SPbPU specialists observed the operation of cutting-edge installations in real time and also received expert advice on developing their own developments in membrane water purification; and the Industrial Internet of Things in Digital Manufacturing laboratory, which includes the Flexible Manufacturing Cell—a simulator for acquiring in-demand practical skills in industrial robotics. Colleagues highlighted the operating features of the devices and the details of collaboration with enterprises.

Following the visit, the partners outlined specific areas for further collaboration, including organizing a return visit by representatives from Bauman Moscow State Technical University to the Polytechnic University, sharing best practices in the development of research and teaching staff, and exploring opportunities for joint research projects in cybersecurity, new materials, and robotics.

Participants praised the tour's informative and dynamic nature. The Polytechnic students were particularly impressed by the university campus, with its interesting architectural designs and well-thought-out navigation, high-tech labs, spacious classrooms, and stylish coworking areas.

The PoliSchool program concluded with the final defense of the teams' projects.

The work was evaluated by Alexey Borovkov, Chief Designer of the Scientific and Technological Program "System Digital Engineering," Lyudmila Pankova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Maria Vrublevskaya, Vice-Rector for Human Resources, Oleg Rozhdestvensky, Head of the Office of Technological Leadership, Marina Bolsunovskaya, a representative of the "Artificial Intelligence for Cross-Industry Problem Solving" program, and Oleg Panchenko, a representative of the "Materials, Technologies, and Production" program.

Following the opening remarks by PoliShkola project mentor Maria Vrublevskaya, the presentation session began. For two hours, ten student teams presented the results of their work.

Participants presented projects covering cutting-edge fields of science and technology: medicine and biotechnology, artificial intelligence, robotics, electronics, and education. Each project had a clearly applied nature and was aimed at solving specific technological or social problems.

The level of sophistication and the promise of the solutions we saw today are directly in line with the spirit of PolySchool—a practical leadership school for young people with initiative. Participants don't just propose ideas; they create working prototypes and consider the logic behind their implementation, noted Maria Vrublevskaya.

Interesting projects reached the PolySchool finals. The students demonstrated their commitment and desire to contribute to achieving the country's technological leadership. Much work remains, especially in terms of creating in-demand products from the solutions and technologies developed. I wish everyone good luck and strength to complete this journey," concluded Oleg Rozhdestvensky.

At the end of the defense, all participants were presented with commemorative gifts.

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Polytechnic students received state awards in the field of education

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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A ceremony presenting state awards to residents of St. Petersburg for their significant contributions to the development of St. Petersburg was held at Smolny. Governor Alexander Beglov presented the awards to faculty members from three SPbPU institutes.

By order of the President of the Russian Federation, the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Higher Education of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Irina Krasyuk, Doctor of Economics and Professor at the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies and the Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering," for her personal achievements in the education and training of scientific and pedagogical personnel.

Receiving this state award is not only a great honor for me, but also a great responsibility, motivating me to continue growing and achieving new goals. I express special gratitude to the university's leadership for creating the conditions for achieving high results, as well as to my colleagues for their constructive interaction and support. I promise to "think ahead" and continue to work for the benefit of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, our beautiful city, and our great country," Irina Anatolyevna said after the award ceremony.

For their outstanding achievements and successes in promoting the development of scientific potential and professional education, the honorary title of "Honored Worker of Higher Education in St. Petersburg" was awarded to Olga Kalinina, Doctor of Economics, Professor, and Director of the Higher School of Industrial Management at the Institute of Economics and Technology (IET), and Nadezhda Krasnova, Doctor of Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Engineering Physics at the Institute of Economics and Technology.

"I truly appreciate the trust placed in me. Polytechnic University is more than just a place of work for me, but a kind of 'second home' and a source of inspiration. I will continue to work and live for the development and prosperity of my beloved university," Olga Vladimirovna shared her impressions.

"I am sincerely grateful to the university and its administration for such a high recognition of my work. This recognition is not only a great honor for me, but also a significant incentive for further professional development and improvement within the walls of our university," Nadezhda Konstantinovna emphasized.

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Renowned mathematician Valery Kozlov became an Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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At the ceremonial meeting of the Academic Council, a ceremony was held to present the diploma, gown, and badge of Honorary Doctor of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to Valery Kozlov, Chairman of the National Committee of Mathematicians of the Russian Federation, Academician-Secretary of the Mathematical Sciences Division of the Russian Academy of Sciences, member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The decision to confer the title was unanimously adopted by the members of the SPbPU Academic Council on September 29, 2025.

"I say from the bottom of my heart that Valery Vasilyevich is a great scientist, because we all study mathematics and mechanics. Academician Kozlov's name is inscribed in the gallery of the world's outstanding scientists, and it is a great honor for us to include him in the family of Honorary Doctors of the Polytechnic University. Valery Vasilyevich adorned the "crown of intellectual diamonds of the Polytechnic University." I sincerely hope that now our students will have the opportunity not only to study from Academician Kozlov's books but also to attend lectures by our new Honorary Doctor in person," SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy greeted the academician.

According to tradition, the ceremonial vestments—the gown and cap of the Honorary Doctor—were carried into the Academic Council hall to the student anthem Gaudeamus. The Rector of the Polytechnic University presented the Doctor Honoratus badge, diploma, certificate, the book "Honorary Doctors of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University," and a signature jacket.

Valery Vasilyevich was born in the village of Kostyli in the Ryazan region. He graduated from high school with honors and entered the Mechanics and Mathematics Department of Moscow State University, solving all the problems on the written mathematics exam, a feat only seven out of 450 applicants managed.

He graduated with honors from university and, at the age of 24, defended his PhD thesis on "Qualitative Study of Rigid Body Motion in Integrable Cases." At 28, he became a Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, defending his dissertation on "Qualitative Analysis in Rigid Body Dynamics."

"The breadth of Valery Vasilyevich's scientific interests and areas of research are striking and admirable in his professional and scientific career: classical mechanics, nonequilibrium statistical mechanics, differential geometry and topology, and quantum mechanics," noted Dmitry Karpov, Scientific Secretary of SPbPU, in his introduction to Valery Kozlov.

For his outstanding services to Russian science, Valery Vasilyevich was awarded many departmental and state awards, including:

A full Cavalier of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", he has also been awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky and the Order of Honor; a laureate of the Lenin Komsomol Prize for a series of works on the study of methods of qualitative analysis in the dynamics of rigid bodies; a laureate of the State Prize of the Russian Federation in Science and Technology for a series of works "Dynamics of Complex Mechanical Systems"; a laureate of the Government of the Russian Federation Prize in Education for the innovative development "Creation of a new direction in higher professional education "Innovatika", its scientific and educational-methodological support, experimental development and wide implementation in the practice of domestic universities."

He has also received awards from the Russian Academy of Sciences and many others.

Under Valery Kozlov's supervision, 30 candidates of science have been trained, seven of whom became doctors of science. His students include academicians and corresponding members of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Valery Vasilyevich is the author of more than 350 scientific papers, including monographs and textbooks; Distinguished Professor of Moscow State University; member of several foreign academies and scientific societies; member of the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Sciences; Chairman of the National Committee of Mathematicians of Russia; editor-in-chief of the journals Izvestia RAS. Mathematical Series, Regular and Chaotic Dynamics, and the international mathematical journal Regular and Chaotic Dynamics; member of the Higher Attestation Commission of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation.

"The Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University has a remarkable history. It is a leader in training specialists in high technology and science. It is a center of science and technology. Many outstanding scientists, who are close to me, have worked here. I would like to especially highlight two names. One is Professor Ivan Meshchersky, whose problems I solved from the first page to the last as a student. And our legendary Ivan Vinogradov. He is a two-time Hero of Socialist Labor and headed the Steklov Mathematical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences for over 40 years," Valery Kozlov emphasized in his speech.

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Parade of Champions: The best sports teams of the year were awarded at the Polytechnic University.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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A ceremony honoring the university's national sports teams that achieved outstanding results in 2025 was held at the main academic building of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

The event was attended by university leadership and distinguished guests. The ceremony was attended by:

Rector of SPbPU — Andrey Rudskoy, First Vice-President of the Russian Student Sports Union — Andrey Stukalov, Vice-Rector for Information, Youth Policy and Security — Maxim Pasholikov, Director of the Institute of Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism — Valery Sushchenko.

In his welcoming speech, SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy emphasized the importance of athletic achievements and congratulated the athletes and their coaches on their brilliant victories.

The ceremony recognized teams that won top awards at the national and international levels.

The football team won the National Student Football League Championship, Group A. The water polo team won the All-Russian Student Competition. The chessboxing team won the overall team standings at the World Championship. The chess team won the overall team standings at the St. Petersburg Student Sports Games (blitz and classical chess).

The Polytechnic University was particularly noted for its success, taking first place in the All-Russian competition for the best organization of physical education and sports activities and the development of mass student sports, "Erasing the Boundaries."

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From 34th to 6th place: Polytechnic University strengthened its position in the "TOP 1000 University Startups" ranking.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was ranked among the top universities in the 2025 annual "TOP 1000 University Startups" ranking, which is conducted as part of the University Technological Entrepreneurship Platform of the federal "Technologies" project of the national "Efficient and Competitive Economy" project.

Startups from students, employees, and graduates of higher education institutions in the last three years are eligible to participate in the competition.

In terms of the number of projects among the top 35 universities, Polytechnic University ranks sixth with 21 projects. In 2024, the university ranked 34th (nine projects).

The winners included students from various SPbPU institutes: PISh "Digital Engineering" (13 projects), IMMiT (3 projects), IBSiB (2 projects), IKNK (1 project), ISI (1 project), IPMET (1 project).

Maxim Gorbuk, a student at the Higher School of Computer Technology and Information Systems at the Institute of Computer Science and Culture (IKNSC), scored the highest score among polytechnic students—78.59. His project, "MedAI: A Mobile App for Vaccinating Children Receiving Immunosuppressive Therapy," placed 57th among the competition's winners.

Three projects by Elina Goricheva and two by Georgy Shkolnik made it into the rankings. Both participants are students from the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship (PSTE) at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. A total of 40 projects were submitted to the competition by the HSTE.

SPbPU's high ranking is the result of systematic efforts to develop and promote student entrepreneurship (the Polytechnic University's Technological Entrepreneurship Model was among the top three at the Startup Summit Awards — Ed.), which aligns with the Concept of Technological Development of the Russian Federation until 2030.

Winners of the competition from Polytechnic

Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering":

Elina Goricheva, DeepSelf, SmartMatch Assist, and Movent projects; Georgy Shkolnik, "Integration of a Set of Artificial Intelligence Technologies into the Educational and Career Guidance Process" and "All-Russian Engineering Day" projects; Yaroslav Nikitin, "Cherdak" project; Denis Romanovsky, "Yoy-Kod" project; Anton Zykov, "Development of a Composite Ceramic Composition for 3D Printing of Casting Molds" project; Anton Aitov, "Embedded Wearable IoT System for Smart Clothing with Adaptive Functions" project; Nikita Korobov, "Embedded Onboard Module of Autonomous and Energy-Efficient Navigation for Aircraft-Type UAVs" project; Timofey Sokolov, "RavNer – a Digital Twin for Creating a Highly Efficient Domestic Hydrogen Cell" project; Daria Kuzmenkova, "AR Projector for Teaching and Entertaining Children on the Road in a Car" project; postgraduate student Anastasia Tsytsyna, "Embedded Wearable IoT System for Smart Clothing with Adaptive Functions" project; "Software for optimizing the performance of graphic editors (accelerating calculations when performing rendering and real-time tasks)."

Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport:

Mikhail Gnibeda, "E-Cigarette Sensor" project — a system for monitoring air quality in public places; Artem Yurikov, "Autonomous Vessel for Cleaning the Surface of Water Bodies from Microplastics and Cyanobacteria" project; Semyon Zimin, "Morf.VisionAI" project.

Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnologies:

Hayk Akopyan, project "Development of a platform for preliminary assessment of the economic benefits of a construction tender", Alexander Barashkov, project "Perimeter protection system for the IGLA facility".

Institute of Computer Science and Cybersecurity:

Maxim Gorbuk, project "MedAI – a mobile application for vaccinating children receiving immunosuppressive therapy."

Civil Engineering Institute:

Arina Mokhireva, project "Normastroy – IT service for digital assessment of building projects."

Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade:

Ilya Bodrov, project "Development of a medical service with gamification elements aimed at preventing atherosclerosis and its complications."

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.

The Polytechnic University's stardom is growing

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The White Hall hosted the semi-final of the largest student cultural and creative project, "Polytechnic Star," which has been unveiling new talented vocalists and presenters for 18 consecutive seasons.

The participants went through auditions, numerous rehearsals, and meticulous preparation. The White Hall stage featured everything from world pop hits to rap and beatboxing. The entire show program was meticulously prepared and directed by the project's organizing team, led by Denis Levshin. The event was supported by the Student Club and the help of volunteers from the KOrgi organizing team.

"I want to express my deepest gratitude for the opportunity to participate in this incredible project. After months of preparation and the efforts of both organizers and participants, the long-awaited semi-final finally took place, and not only did it take place, but it was held at the highest level. Everything was perfect—from the semi-finalists' performances to the musical accompaniment during the breaks. I'm sure the final will amaze everyone even more with its scale and vibrancy!" commented Fatima Osmanova, a finalist in the "Hosts" category and a first-year student at the Institute of Mathematics, Economics, and Telecommunications.

The evening was memorable for its vibrant and dynamic performances, unique media coverage, and the sincere emotions of the participants and support groups.

I'm so happy to have made it to the finals. During our rehearsals, the stage truly felt like home, and I've made even more progress in a direction that truly brings me immense happiness! The guys and I have become very close during this time and have become a true team. The level of organization and scale of the project are simply outstanding. The organizers are incredibly talented. I won't make any predictions for the finals; I only know that I want to give it my all and enjoy what we're doing! shared season 18 finalist Anna Sviridova, a first-year student at the Institute of Mechanics, Economics, and Telecommunications.

The performances were judged by experienced experts for whom creativity, music, and youth initiatives have become an integral part of life: Tatyana Barabanova, Deputy Head of the Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity at SPbPU; Alexander Tsepkalo, host of student and city events and finalist of the 15th season of the Polytechnic Star project; and Chairman of the United Student Council. Thomas Schochenmayer, as well as singer-songwriters – the winner of the 15th season Elena Shundeeva and the winner of the 11th season, Artem Ilchenko.

This year, the team was almost completely revamped, and we once again undertook a titanic effort to ensure the semi-final was a success! We put maximum effort into unlocking the potential of each vocalist: we added a lot of unique elements to their songs, allowing them to explore new genres and roles. It's also great that this year, the system for training hosts from scratch was fully operational, and we were able to showcase the results of this work at the semi-final. The semi-final was quite dynamic, with many memorable and captivating performances. And judging by the audience's feedback, we succeeded," shared project director Denis Levshin.

Of the 26 semi-finalists, 16 advanced to the final round. The project final will take place on April 23 in the White Hall. The name of the new "Polytechnic Star" will be announced then.

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 Hero in a Cloak": Polytechnician Guvanch Durdyev Wins the Fontanka Prize

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The awards ceremony for the 2025 Fontanka.ru city portal's main prize was held at the Hermitage Museum's General Staff Building. Among the eleven laureates, who received griffin statuettes and silver badges based on the results of a public vote in which more than 120,000 people participated, was Guvanch Durdyev, a student at the Humanities Institute of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

In August 2025, Guvanch unexpectedly gained popularity and the status of “people’s traffic controller.”

During a heavy downpour, he noticed a near-cold traffic jam at the intersection of Nauki Avenue and Grazhdansky Avenue. A student working as a courier during his summer break, he couldn't help but rush to the driver's aid. Within hours, Guvanch began receiving messages asking, "Is that you online?"

"I didn't think there would be such consequences, that I'd appear in the news. I just wanted to help drivers; I had no idea I could appear online. I decided to search for myself online and immediately found it on Fontanka. It was a very pleasant experience, of course, and I shared it with my family. Friends said that heroes should be recognized, but I don't consider myself a hero," Guvanch modestly noted after his actions received widespread public attention.

Thanks to his knowledge of traffic rules, the student spent nearly 30 minutes manually directing traffic. Drivers filmed him, praised him, and smiled and made approving gestures. Social media users dubbed the young man a "caped hero."

Guvanch Durdyev is a third-year student at the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University Institute of Humanities, majoring in Linguistics. He's been living in St. Petersburg for three years and plans to work in his chosen field—he dreams of becoming a translator or a school teacher.

The young man is distinguished by his proactive nature, friendliness, responsibility, and willingness to help. These qualities, demonstrated in August, were recognized at the Fontanka.ru Recognition and Influence awards.

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