Университетская жизнь / – Page 130

February 20, 2026

Rector's Ball: A Bright End to the Polytechnic's Celebration

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Rector's Ball is one of the most vibrant and anticipated events at the Polytechnic University. Every year, on the university's anniversary, the best students gather in the reading room of the Fundamental Library and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of old-fashioned balls. This year, in honor of the Polytechnic University's 127th anniversary, 240 of the university's finest students were invited to the ball.

At the ball's opening, members of the Polivoks vocal studio performed the Polytechnic Institute's anthem, accompanied by the SPbPU pop and symphony orchestra. Then, a recording of the Polytechnic Institute's first director, Prince Andrei Grigorievich Gagarin, delivered a farewell speech 124 years ago, in 1902, to the first students on the day classes began.

SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy greeted the ball participants: "The relevance of engineering education has not faded over the 127 years of our university's existence. Your hearts are now filled with pride, hopes, dreams, and the understanding that the best is yet to come. I understand you, because I was once here in your place and felt the same. You are the most gifted, the most unique. You are the support and hope of our country."

The hall was filled with the best students of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, winners and runners-up of regional and national student olympiads, as well as medalists of the All-Russian student olympiad "I am a Professional." At the beginning of the ball, the rector awarded the best of the best.

Nikita Okhtin, a student at the Physics and Mechanics Institute and gold medalist in the All-Russian Olympiad for students of various fields of study "I am a Professional" in the Oil and Gas Engineering program. Aidar Ibragimov, a student at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport and winner and runner-up of regional Olympiads in engineering and computer graphics. Anastasia Volgina, a student at the Physics and Mechanics Institute and gold medalist in the Open International Student Internet Physics Olympiad. Ekaterina Kondaurova, a postgraduate student at the Humanities Institute and gold medalist in the All-Russian Olympiad "I am a Professional" in the Psychology program.

I'm currently a first-year doctoral student. My journey with "I Am a Professional" began in my third year of undergraduate studies. Over the years, I've been a bronze medalist and finally, in my second year of master's degree, a gold medalist in psychology. Furthermore, since last year, I've also been a leader of this movement. My job is to tell new students about this event and motivate them to get involved. "I'm very grateful that such an event exists, where Andrey Ivanovich personally recognizes and awards medalists," Ekaterina Kondaurova said about her path to success with "I Am a Professional."

The Rector's Ball was hosted by choreographer and St. Petersburg Youth Prize laureate Maxim Salomatov. Accompanying the ball was the Pop and Symphony Orchestra of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, conducted by Dmitry Misyura. Pavel Zhukov, a graduate of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport, conducted the performance.

Throughout the evening, students learned classical dances such as the polonaise and waltz, participated in ballroom games, and during breaks, enjoyed wonderful performances of modern musical hits from soloists of the Polivoks vocal studio, winners of Russian and international competitions, and leaders of the musical project "Ne spit" (Not Sleep).

"I was delighted to participate in this celebratory event for the entire university. It was wonderful to see so many friends and acquaintances invited to the ball. I'd like to thank the orchestra, the hosts, and all the organizers for the fun and energetic dance program," Aidar Ibragimov shared his impressions.

The Saint Petersburg TV channel aired a broadcast about how the Rector's Ball went at SPbPU.

Photo archive

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.

February 20, 2026

A Birthday with Gratitude: Polytechnic University Recognizes the Achievements of Partners and Alumni

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On the Polytechnic's birthday, a traditional ceremonial meeting of its ambassadors and benefactors was held.

Guests gathered in the lobby of the Technopolis Polytech Research Building, where they viewed paintings while waiting for the festive event to begin. St. Petersburg artist Elena Artsutanova— the great-granddaughters of Prince Andrei Gagarin, the first director of the St. Petersburg Polytechnic Institute, whose 170th birthday the Polytechnic Institute is celebrating this year. Among those invited to the high-ranking meeting was Andrei Grigorievich's second great-granddaughter, Yulia Andreyevna Gagarina.

Opening the meeting, SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy welcomed the university's partners and benefactors, and, of course, the alumni who maintain ties to their alma mater: "I am happy to see familiar faces in the hall today—these are the faces of friends, thanks to whom our Polytechnic University grows stronger and more beautiful. On behalf of both staff and students, I want to express my deepest gratitude for your kindness. I often recall the words of the great philosopher Anthony of Sourozh: a person is rich in what he gives out of love. This is true of you. And I urge us all to continue to give our hearts and souls out of love to our Fatherland, our beloved city, our beloved university, our children, our loved ones, our friends, and our work. To give our hearts simply to people."

Then the Polytechnic University's updated board of benefactors was unveiled. A year ago, during a similar meeting, The plaque was ceremoniously installed in the lobby of the NikaSince then, the number of people participating in the formation of the SPbPU Endowment Fund has increased, and their names have also appeared on the list.

"We knew the number of benefactors would continually grow. So we decided to make a large plaque out of high-quality material, displaying the names of our patrons. We'll update the list every year—let this become a tradition at our meetings," Andrey Rudskoy announced.

Following the ceremony, guests were shown the film "St. Petersburg Polytechnic," and then the rector of SPbPU presented letters of gratitude and commemorative medals to the university's benefactors, partners, and employees.

In the year of the 170th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Russian scientist and inventor, the first director of the Polytechnic University, Andrei Grigorievich Gagarin, the university established a new award: the Prince Gagarin Memorial Medal.

The first recipients were Bank Saint Petersburg, represented by Senior Vice President Vladimir Zhirov, and Renat Yakushevsky, head of the Reval Group of Companies. Polytechnic University expressed its gratitude to its partners for their contribution to preserving the university's historical heritage and promoting the perpetuation of the memory of Prince Gagarin.

The Sergei Yulyevich Witte Memorial Medal was established in 2024 for multiple benefactors of the SPbPU Endowment Fund, such as VTB Bank. This year, the award was presented to Maxim Kushch, Head of Key Corporate Clients for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region at VTB Bank and Vice President of the Bank.

Also, for their assistance in developing the University Endowment Fund, the following received gratitude and commemorative medals:

Arman Energo (the award was presented to Denis Peschaskin, Deputy General Director for Finance at Arman Group), Igor Sobol, General Director of Axis, Vladimir Ustinov, Chief Designer of the NPO TsKTI project, Dmitry Tikhonov, Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education at SPbPU, Maxim Terekh, Deputy Director of the Civil Engineering Institute, Andrei Andreev, Director of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety, and Natalia Ermakova, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes at the Physics and Mechanical Institute.

For long-term and fruitful cooperation with the Polytechnic, the following were awarded the "For Merit" badge:

Deputy General Director of TGK-1 Eduard Lisitsky, General Director of TurboService Rus Oleg Shevchenko, First Deputy General Director and General Designer of Power Machines Alexander Ivanovsky, Director of the Engineering Center of Power Machines Konstantin Savichev, General Director of Alliance-Stroy Vasily Minkov, General Director of the power engineering company Rus-Turbo Oleg Dmitriev, lawyer, member of the Council of Delovaya Rossiya in the Leningrad Region Arsen Magomedov, head of the central branch of the Leningrad Regional Bar Association Vladimir Anisimov.

For their significant personal contribution to preparing talented schoolchildren for university entrance, the following were awarded the Polytechnic University "For Merit" badge:

Director of the Academy of Talents of St. Petersburg Egor Kireev, Deputy Director for Innovation and Methodological Work of the Academy of Talents of St. Petersburg Natalia Ilyina, Director of the Presidential Physics and Mathematics Lyceum No. 239 Maxim Pratusevich, Physics and Astronomy Methodologist of the Kalininsky District of St. Petersburg Elena Kolpakova.

Among the polytechnicians, the following received the “For Merit” award:

Professor Vasily Makarov of the Higher School of Industrial Management at the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade; Vladimir Andreev, Head of the Materials Science and Technology Educational Laboratory at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport; Valentina Andreeva, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Physics and Materials Technology at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport; Marina Olennikova, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Linguistics and Pedagogy at the Humanitarian Institute; Vladimir Chudny, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Electric Power Systems at the Institute of Power Engineering; Elena Yakovleva, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Mechanics and Control Processes at the Physics and Mechanical Institute; and Olga Petrova, Specialist at the Directorate of the Institute of Power Engineering.

In 2024, in memory of the university's founder, the outstanding Russian statesman, financier, and diplomat Sergei Yulyevich Witte, the SPbPU Academic Council reinstated the Witte Scholarships, paid from income from the management of the Polytechnic University Endowment Fund.

Four students who passed their winter exams with flying colors became winners of the Witte scholarship competition:

Victoria Golubkova from the Institute of Energy, Alevtina Getmanskaya from the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade, Anton Kalininsky and Egor Shchepilov from the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport.

At the end of the ceremonial meeting, the Polytechnic ambassadors, graduates of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Evgeniya Lastochkina andDmitry Gomonov We congratulated SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy on his birthday, which, by a surprising coincidence, coincides with the Polytechnic University's birthday.

Photo archive of the meeting of ambassadors and philanthropists

February 20, 2026

The Walk of Fame at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering has been restored.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Dmitry Ponomarev, Ekaterina Kashitsyna and Daria Petrova

In anticipation of Defender of the Fatherland Day, the Automobile and Road Construction Faculty of SPbGASU opened a permanent exhibition dedicated to the heroic past of its members. Students implemented a project to restore the Walk of Fame, which existed in the Faculty building over 20 years ago but was dismantled during renovations. The initiative team not only restored the exhibition but completely reimagined it, adding new materials and creating a contemporary format for displaying historical memory.

Fifth-year student Ekaterina Kashitsyna spoke about how the project was created.

According to Ekaterina, the idea arose from the desire to restore a lost part of the university's history.

"We previously had a Walk of Fame in our building, created over 20 years ago, but it was removed during renovations and never returned. We decided we needed to restore the walkway, but make it modern and accessible, with historical background and additional important information."

She formed a team of proactive students and took on the substantive part of the project – transferring texts from the previous exhibition and supplementing them with new historical materials.

Fourth-year students Daria Petrova and Dmitry Ponomarev also participated in the project. The work was carried out in close collaboration with Andrey Zazykin, Dean of the Faculty of Automobile and Road Engineering, and Igor Chernyaev, Head of the Department of Technical Operation of Vehicles.

Participants assigned responsibilities (text preparation, design development, selection of stands and technical solutions) and, after each stage, held joint discussions, making necessary changes and additions.

One of the central elements of the renovated Walk of Fame is a display dedicated to the faculty's participants in the Great Patriotic War. The exhibit tells the story of university employees who served at the front, in the army's automobile and technical units, and contributed to the Victory.

Among them are Oleg Verkevich, former dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Highways; Mstislav Masino, professor and department head; and Nikolai Sobolev, head of the Department of Metals Technology. After the war, they dedicated themselves to the development of science, engineering education, and the training of new generations of transportation specialists.

The exhibition also reveals the historical context of their service, in particular the history of the creation of automobile troops. During the war, these troops played a key role in supporting combat operations: they transported personnel, delivered ammunition and food, evacuated the wounded, provided supplies to the front, and repaired equipment in front-line conditions. The army's mobility, the stability of its defense, and the conduct of offensive operations depended on the reliability of these transport columns. Automobile workers worked around the clock, often under fire, while repair units returned thousands of vehicles to service right in the combat zone.

"We wanted to show not only the history of technology and the automobile troops, but also the lives of the people who defended the country and later dedicated themselves to the development of education and science," notes Ekaterina Kashitsyna.

The stand emphasizes the continuity of generations: the front-line experience of the faculty has become part of the professional history of the faculty and its scientific school.

The most challenging part of the project was verifying the historical information. The team strove to accurately reflect events related to the development of transportation, military equipment, and automobile troops.

"There was very little accurate and verified information. We received help from the teachers who created the previous Walk of Fame—they knew how the events described actually unfolded, having been fortunate enough to speak with eyewitnesses—our heroes who returned to their native university after the war," Ekaterina said.

The updated exhibition will become a permanent part of the university space. In addition, its electronic version on the university website.

The students hope that the Walk of Fame will help visitors learn more about military equipment, the country's history, and the history of the Automobile and Road Engineering Faculty of SPbGASU.

According to Ekaterina Kashitsyna, such initiatives help students not only study the history of their professional field but also develop research, organizational, and teamwork skills.

February 20, 2026

On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, NSU congratulated its staff and faculty

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, a celebratory event was held, attended by university employees who served in the Armed Forces of the USSR and the Russian Federation.

The rector of NSU, directors of institutes, and deans of faculties addressed those present with congratulations and welcoming words.

"Of course, this is already a traditional holiday, one that has become increasingly important in recent years—these are difficult times. And the very phrase 'Defender of the Fatherland Day' carries a particularly weighty weight. I would like to extend warm words of gratitude to all of you—to those who served, to those who were in the special military operation zone and returned home, and to those who continue to serve today—to you, a special thank you. We are proud that there are still brave people in our country. I wish you all the best, and most importantly, good health," said NSU Rector and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Pyshny.

Dmitry Vladimirovich served in the Airborne Forces for two years. He says that at the very beginning, when he was called up, he was a bit scared and felt a certain amount of uncertainty. However, over time, his attitude changed, and he remained grateful for the experience. He believes that service helps him grow, teaches discipline, responsibility, and the ability to work in a team, as well as better understand and support each other. Ultimately, he has only warm memories of his military service.

On this day, we remember the founding fathers of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who worked to strengthen the country's defense capability. Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev, a participant in the Battle of Kursk, made a significant contribution to the restoration of scientific work at the institutes of the USSR Academy of Sciences after the Great Patriotic War. Sergei Lvovich Sobolev worked in the postwar years at LIPAN and the I.V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, focusing on the atomic bomb and nuclear energy. During the war, Sergei Alekseevich Khristianovich took on the task of improving the shells for the most famous Soviet rocket artillery unit, the Katyusha.

"This tradition of the Siberian Branch continues successfully, with virtually all of our institutes maintaining active work and developing to varying degrees. It's important to emphasize that our goal is to create new technologies and build a solid scientific and technical foundation to ensure everything functions effectively and reliably. Times are challenging, but our work continues, and the university's role in these processes remains significant and in demand. We actively collaborate with major organizations such as Rosatom, Roscosmos, and many other leading companies, contributing to the development of key sectors of the economy and science," added Mikhail Lavrentyev, Dean of the NSU Faculty of Information Technology and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Valery Arnoldovich Vernikovsky, Dean of the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics at Novosibirsk State University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Geologist of the Russian Federation, professor, retired senior lieutenant, artilleryman, and even commanded a mortar platoon during training. He never saw actual combat, but he nevertheless dedicated his years to helping our country explore the Arctic.

"First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the professors and teachers who have spent their entire careers working at the university and training the next generation of specialists. You have made a tremendous contribution to the development of our country and strengthening its security. I am convinced that each of you, in your own right, contributes to the protection and prosperity of our homeland. I sincerely congratulate you and express my deep gratitude for your work. I hope that our students and we will preserve and carry forward throughout our lives the patriotic values and qualities that have always been inherent in our people," said Valery Vernikovsky.

Mikhail Fedoruk, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Scientific Director of the NSU Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAI), shared his memories of his years of military service:

"I would like to wish for the university to continue to develop and prosper. We have truly dedicated many years of our lives to it, and it has become something special for each of us. Almost everyone here today served in the army, some before entering the university, some during their studies. If we look back in history—to the years when students began to be drafted in the 1980s—we cannot help but acknowledge the achievements of the university's leadership at that time. They managed to retain almost everyone who served, returned, completed their studies, and became highly qualified specialists and worthy individuals. And, of course, we must follow the example of our predecessors."

Among the university's staff are those currently serving in the SVO zone or have already returned from the battlefield and are continuing their work. The rector expressed special gratitude to the participants of the special military operation present, namely Vasily Netsvetayev, a laboratory assistant at the NSU Faculty of Natural Sciences; Andrey Rovensky, a second-category engineer in the Chief Power Engineer's Department; and Pavel Stavitsky, a senior lecturer in the Department of Intelligent Systems and Thermal Physics at the NSU Institute of Intelligent Robotics.

February 20, 2026

The 6th TRIZ session of the Rostec State Corporation was held at RUDN University

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

From February 3rd to 5th, the 6th TRIZ Session of the Rostec State Corporation was held at the Graduate School of Management at RUDN University. The event brought together over 50 leading specialists from 37 of the Corporation's organizations, representing various regions of Russia. All participants were graduates and top students of the Rostec State Corporation's TRIZ School, highlighting the high level of professional training in innovation.

The "Methods and Practices of Modern Theory of Inventive Problem Solving (TRIZ)" program has been successfully implemented at RUDN University since 2018. The anniversary session was devoted to a key topic for the defense industry: "Development and Management of R&D Programs."

The "appearance" of a promising product

Over the course of three days, participants engaged in intensive individual and group work. The focus was on developing a vision for a promising product, constructing problem and solution maps, and managing technology readiness levels. Particular attention was paid to feasibility studies and comparing alternative versions of research and development programs.

Anna Aleksandrovna Ostrovskaya, Director of the RUDN University Graduate School of Management, noted the significance of the university's long-standing partnership with the company: "It is a great honor for the RUDN University Graduate School of Management to serve as an educational and expert platform for the Rostec State Corporation. For seven years, we have witnessed how the TRIZ methodology studied at our university is being translated into real-world engineering and management solutions at enterprises across the country. We are proud that our graduates not only possess the necessary tools but also form a professional community capable of solving problems of any complexity in the interests of Russia's technological sovereignty. Holding such sessions is the best example of the integration of academic knowledge and industrial necessity."

Innovation Management

Session participants not only applied their acquired knowledge in practice by developing relevant projects but also shared experiences in implementing TRIZ initiatives. During the discussions, promising tasks for the further development of the community were identified.

Alexander Ivanovich Kashirin, Head of the Department of Innovative Management and Foreign Economic Activity in Industry at the Higher School of Management and Deputy Director of the Scientific and Technical Council of the Rostec State Corporation, emphasized the strategic role of TRIZ in innovation management:

"The main result of our joint work is the formation of a unified conceptual framework and design culture within the Corporation. Today, TRIZ is not just an inventor's tool, but a powerful technology for managing complexity, allowing us to move from isolated solutions to systemic design of the future. We teach our specialists to see contradictions not as problems, but as a resource for development. This approach allows us to reduce timelines and improve the efficiency of R&D, which is critical in today's economy."

February 20, 2026

Polytechnic University students will develop digital models to optimize the operation of St. Petersburg's electric transport system.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A large-scale interdisciplinary project, "Comprehensive Graduation Thesis on the Development of a Family of Digital Models for Urban Electric Transport Network Management," has been launched at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. It is being implemented as part of the "Project as a Graduation Thesis" strategic initiative and commissioned by the St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise Gorelektrotrans.

The project brought together four undergraduate students from various fields of study. Their shared goal is to create a set of digital tools for analyzing, modeling, and optimizing the St. Petersburg tram and trolleybus network. The models being developed will allow for identifying traffic bottlenecks, analyzing route loads, creating network management scenarios, and evaluating the effectiveness of data-driven decisions.

The project's unique organizational model is "client-bachelor-students-managers." This format ensures a synergistic effect between education, science, and practice. Employees of the company serve as mentors on behalf of St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise "Gorelectrotrans." This allows students to immerse themselves deeply in real production processes and establish direct communication with the client.

Marina Bolsunovskaya, head of the Industrial Stream Data Processing Systems Laboratory at the St. Petersburg Polytechnical School of Economics, associate professor at the Higher School of Computer Technology and Information Systems at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and leading researcher at the Research Laboratory for Fundamentals of High-Tech Medical Rehabilitation, notes: "This project is a shining example of how academic education can directly impact the quality of urban life. By combining the efforts of students from various fields—from programmers to business analysts—we are creating not just a theoretical model, but a living digital tool that is already helping Gorelektrotrans make data-driven decisions. It is especially valuable that the undergraduate students are working with real-world problems: identifying route bottlenecks, modeling the impact of schedule changes, and proposing solutions that could reduce tram wait times for thousands of St. Petersburg residents tomorrow."

To address the challenges, a team of students from four SPbPU higher education institutions was formed. Alexander Faida (IPMET) is analyzing transport datasets and identifying key performance factors. Pavel Sobolev (IKNiK) is developing the architecture, optimization algorithms, and software implementation of digital models. Yan Levkovich (IMMeT) is analyzing network performance issues and developing process management proposals, and Gleb Vasiliev (IMMeT) is responsible for developing a performance indicator system and a set of management scenarios.

On the SPbPU side, the project is led by a team of leading specialists representing various scientific and educational fields, headed by Marina Bolsunovskaya. The academic leadership team also includes Alexey Gintsyak, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Project Activity and Industrial Innovation at the Institute of Metallurgical and Industrial Engineering (IMW&T), Associate Professor of the Higher School of Advanced Digital Technologies of the Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering"; Dmitry Plotnikov, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Transport at the Institute of Metallurgical and Industrial Engineering and Technology; and Angi Skhvediani, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics at the Institute of Metallurgical and Industrial Engineering and Technology, Head of the System Dynamics Research Laboratory, and Leading Analyst of the Department of Scientific Certification and Training of Highly Qualified Personnel. This composition of academic advisors ensures the interdisciplinary nature of the project and a comprehensive approach to solving its tasks.

Consultants from St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise Gorelektrotrans also play a key role in supporting the project: Elena Yezhelina, Director of Internal Control at Gorelektrotrans, and Alexey Vishensky, Deputy Head of the Gorelektrotrans Traffic Safety Service. In-person working meetings and a student tour of the enterprise were important elements of collaboration with the industrial partner.

During their visit to St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise Gorelectrotrans, the project participants visited Tram Depot No. 5, the Shavrova Street tram production and technical department, and the company's management units. The tour not only provided students with initial data and clarified their objectives but also provided a deeper understanding of the urban electric transport production and management processes. The students learned about the full cycle of preparing rolling stock and personnel for deployment, the operation of the dispatch service, the principles of creating release orders, and the economic aspects of transportation operations—from cost accounting to cost analysis.

Special attention was paid to the modern technological solutions used at the enterprise, including the operation of the testing ground and the tram with an active driver assistance system. The final part of the program was devoted to a discussion of contract support, penalty analysis, risk management, and evaluating the effectiveness of transport operations. The opportunity to directly ask questions of subject-matter experts and receive detailed answers became an important source of practical knowledge for the students, which is already being used in developing digital models and formulating management scenarios.

"Participating in this project is both an interesting and challenging experience," shared Pavel Sobolev. "Creating a system of this scale requires working with enormous amounts of data, accounting for numerous details, and building a complex architecture. Despite this, we are moving forward confidently. Alexey Igorevich Vishensky has been a great support to us—thanks to his involvement and expertise, we have developed a truly productive collaboration. I am glad to be part of this project."

For St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise Gorelektrotrans, the project has practical significance already at the development stage.

"For Gorelectrotrans, this project isn't just a student project, but a real step toward digitalizing our transportation," emphasizes Elena Yezhelina. "We're gaining the opportunity to use tools for route analysis and overall tram fleet management. This is a mutually beneficial collaboration! After all, the students aren't just tackling our challenges as a formality; they view them as a real opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. Their digital models, in pilot mode, are already allowing us to conduct experiments without risking real-world operations. Collaborating with the Polytechnic University has a dual benefit: we're gaining useful solutions for our daily work and meeting talented individuals who could potentially strengthen our team. This format is an investment in the future of St. Petersburg's electric transportation: more comfortable for passengers and more efficient for the city."

The project's implementation is important not only for the university and the client company, but also for the city as a whole. The development of a domestic software suite for critical urban infrastructure contributes to technological sovereignty and is consistent with the Electric Transport Development Concept through 2030. The project's results will ultimately improve travel comfort, optimize routes and operating costs, reduce service intervals, and reduce congestion on the road network.

For students, participation in the project is a significant step in their professional development: in addition to preparing their final qualifying work, they gain experience working on a real industrial project. St. Petersburg State Unitary Enterprise Gorelektrotrans has already expressed its willingness to give priority consideration to project participants for employment.

The defense of the comprehensive final qualification thesis is planned for the summer of 2026 at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Successful implementation of the project will be another step toward establishing a sustainable model for training practice-oriented specialists through the implementation of interdisciplinary projects for the benefit of industrial partners.

February 20, 2026

The Polytechnic University participated in Indonesia's largest educational exhibition.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

One of Southeast Asia's largest education exhibitions, the 34th International Exhibition on Education and Training (IIETE) 2026, has concluded in Jakarta. The event, held since 1992, once again brought together leading universities, educational organizations, and companies in the fields of educational technology and vocational training.

This is the second exhibition in Indonesia for the Polytechnic University. Last time, a representative delegation from the university arrived in the country to conduct Polytechnic Days in Indonesia and participation in an educational exhibition in Surabaya. The exhibition in Jakarta served as a platform for showcasing the capabilities of Russian higher education. Polytechnic University was represented by Evgeniya Suvorova, Lead Specialist in International Student Services, and Zhanna Trunkova, Lead Advertising Specialist at the Center for International Recruitment and Communications.

Over the course of four days, thousands of Indonesian applicants, students, and their parents visited the stands of Russian universities. Engineering, IT, and economics programs were of particular interest to visitors traditionally focused on obtaining a high-quality education abroad. The Polytechnic University's participation in the IIETE exhibition, which annually attracts tens of thousands of visitors, allows the university to directly engage with motivated applicants from Indonesia and the region.

The business program culminated in a presentation session, "Explore Study in Russia: Study, Scholarships, and Campus Life," dedicated to educational opportunities in Russia. Sergey Tolchenov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Indonesia, addressed the participants with a welcoming address. He emphasized that educational cooperation today forms a solid foundation for the development of bilateral relations between the countries.

Nikita Shilikov, head of the Rossotrudnichestvo representative office in Indonesia, spoke in detail about the admissions process at Russian universities, including under the Russian Government quota.

"Russia and Indonesia are currently experiencing a truly historic moment in the development of bilateral relations. We are witnessing a dynamic rapprochement between our countries, strengthening humanitarian and academic ties, and the signing of an agreement on the mutual recognition of diplomas and academic degrees. This opens up entirely new opportunities for Indonesian youth to obtain an education in Russia and further their professional growth," noted Nikita Shilikov.

Participation in the 34th IIETE exhibition strengthened Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University's position as one of the key Russian universities attractive to international students from the Asia-Pacific region.

February 20, 2026

The RUDN Junior Math Olympiad finals took place at RUDN University.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The final round of the RUDN Junior Math Olympiad was held at RUDN University. More than 180 schoolchildren from 16 countries participated in the final round, solving challenging competition problems both remotely and in person.

The final took place simultaneously at four venues:

Russian House in Tashkent (Uzbekistan); KSU Lyceum No. 134 in Almaty (Kazakhstan); IUHD in Ashgabat (Turkmenistan); RUDN University (Moscow, Russia).

This year, the Olympiad generated great interest among schoolchildren: more than 400 people participated in the qualifying rounds, and only the strongest advanced to the finals.

"The Olympiad opens up additional opportunities for the winners: they can earn up to 8 points toward their Unified State Exam scores when applying to RUDN University," says Deniza Berezovskaya, Director of the RUDN University Center for Olympiad and Competitive Initiatives.

The problems for the finals were prepared by professors, associate professors, graduate students, undergraduates, and staff members of the S. M. Nikolsky Institute of Mathematics at RUDN University, in collaboration with the "Mathematics for Promising Youth" scientific development center. Many of the problems were dedicated to Valentine's Day and combined rigorous logic with original plots. The students praised the warm and pleasant atmosphere at the Olympiad, as well as the responsiveness and kindness of the organizers and students who assisted with the competition.

"The problems were good: challenging, but not too difficult, and most importantly, interesting. I especially remember the one about the Valentine's Day cookies. I love math for the excitement that comes from solving problems, so I took part in the Olympiad and plan to apply to university for a physics and mathematics program," said Vladimir Zhuravlev, 10th-grade student, ANO Secondary School "Academic Gymnasium," Moscow.

The RUDN JUNIOR MATH OLYMPIAD annually brings together talented schoolchildren from around the world and helps them take the first step toward a serious scientific career.

February 20, 2026

Useful services and business games: GUU students at the flagship "My Career" center

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On February 19, fourth-year students from the Department of Human Resources Management at the State University of Management, along with Associate Professor Ekaterina Kashtanova and the Head of the SUMU Career Center, Alla Zhukova, visited the My Career Flagship Center.

Students learned about modern employment promotion processes and the center's free services, from psychological support for job seekers to in-depth career guidance testing for young people.

The students were able to put their knowledge to the test by participating in the team business game "Catch," where they practiced their skills in building a success strategy, learning to negotiate rules, and making the right decisions.

"It was very interesting, dynamic, and, most importantly, applicable to life! Today's event showed us how important it is to be able to negotiate with one another, but also to be prepared for the fact that partners may violate agreements for the sake of gain," shared fourth-year student Daniil Bodrov.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 20, 2026.

February 20, 2026

An unusual report from the Maslenitsa festival was published in Mosfoto.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The city media bank Mosfoto published new photo report with the characters of the project Winter in MoscowThis time, a painted cat, dog, and fox visited the festival's central venues. "Carnival" On Tverskoy Boulevard and Tverskaya Square. Each frame combines a real photograph and an image generated using artificial intelligence.

The "Winter in Moscow" cast experienced the atmosphere of a traditional Russian holiday. They sampled pancakes with various fillings, took photos against the backdrop of the decorated festival grounds, and participated in folk games.

All files are free to download, verified, and legal. They can be posted on social media, instant messaging apps, and media outlets, and used in presentations, provided the source is cited. photo.mos.ru.

Winter in Moscow— the main event of the season. The project aims to strengthen social and family ties, create an atmosphere of unity and mutual support, and provide assistance to those currently defending the Motherland. Through a variety of programs, including cultural, educational, and sporting events, it brings together Muscovites and visitors of all ages and interests, creating an environment for creative development, active recreation, and warm communication. Particular attention is paid to supporting participants and veterans of the special military operation and their families, as well as all those providing assistance to the front.

The creation, development and operation of e-government infrastructure, including the provision of mass socially significant services, as well as other services in electronic form, are consistent with the objectives of the national project "Data Economy and Digital Transformation of the State" and the Moscow regional project "Digital Public Administration." More information about Russia's national projects and the capital's contribution can be found atspecial page.

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