Category: Университетская жизнь /

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Dmitry Chernyshenko: Venezuela remains a reliable partner and ally of Russia in Latin America.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Eighteen bilateral documents and a final act were signed following the 19th meeting of the High-Level Intergovernmental Russian-Venezuelan Commission.

The 19th meeting of the High-Level Intergovernmental Russian-Venezuelan Commission was held under the chairmanship of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Executive Vice President, Vice President for Economy, and Minister of People's Power for Oil of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez.

During the meeting, the parties discussed cooperation between Russia and Venezuela, including in tourism, education, sports, healthcare, industry, trade and economics, agriculture, and technology.

"Venezuela remains a reliable partner and ally of Russia in Latin America and globally. We highly value the trusting political dialogue at all levels, including the highest. The talks between the presidents of Russia and Venezuela held in Moscow on May 7 once again confirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation across the board. The Strategic Partnership Agreement signed by the leaders of our countries provides a solid foundation for this," noted Dmitry Chernyshenko.

On behalf of the Russian Government, he expressed support for the Government of Venezuela and solidarity with the fraternal Venezuelan people in defending national sovereignty in the face of external threats.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that this year both countries celebrated important dates: the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

"Our Intergovernmental Commission remains focused on expanding project activities in line with the 2030 Plan. We welcome the Venezuelan side's interest in expanding the portfolio of bilateral initiatives," said the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia.

This year, Russian imports from Venezuela have tripled. Furthermore, more than 65 Russian companies are ready to supply Venezuela with high-quality Russian agricultural products.

In addition, cooperation in the field of healthcare is being strengthened.

"Around 800 Venezuelan doctors have already participated in training programs organized by Russian relevant agencies and pharmaceutical companies. The Russian-Venezuelan Center for the Study and Prevention of Infectious Diseases, where over 16,000 joint studies have been conducted, continues its successful work in Caracas," said Dmitry Chernyshenko.

The parties also discussed tourism development prospects. A representative office of the Venezuelan tourism company Venetour opened in Moscow in early 2025. Venezuela acted as a partner country for the 5th International Tourism Forum "Travel!" held in Moscow: "This November, a flight from Caracas to St. Petersburg was launched. Cultural exchanges, educational programs, and sporting events are an important part of bilateral cooperation."

Dmitry Chernyshenko invited his Venezuelan colleagues to participate in the traditional St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the International Tourism Forum "Travel!" in 2026.

"You know that Russian tourists visiting Venezuela can already use Russian Mir cards. We are currently working to ensure that Venezuelan tourists visiting Russia can use Venezuelan cards in Russia. We are also actively developing cooperation in agriculture. Venezuelan coffee and seafood are exported to Russia. We are seeing a steady increase in our trade turnover," said Delcy Rodriguez.

She also noted the cooperation between the two countries in sports, culture, healthcare, transport and other areas.

"The Commission's work makes a significant contribution to enhancing the effectiveness of our work and deepening the development of the activities facilitated by our High-Level International Commission. Our meeting is taking place against the backdrop of the strategic strengthening of our relations in accordance with the documents signed by Presidents Putin and Maduro, documents ratified by our parliaments," said Delcy Rodriguez.

Following the 19th meeting of the Intergovernmental Russian-Venezuelan High-Level Commission, 18 bilateral documents and a final act were signed.

These include a Memorandum of Understanding between Rosmolodezh and the Ministry of People's Power for Youth Affairs of Venezuela on cooperation in the field of youth policy, a Memorandum of Understanding between the ministries of transport on developing cooperation in the training and retraining of personnel in the transport sector, a cooperation agreement between the National Research University "MPEI" and the National University of Sciences "Dr. Humberto Fernandez-Moran", and other documents.

"The Russian side highly values the results of the work accomplished and the agreements reached. We have charted a course and determined next steps on all key issues on the bilateral agenda. Next year, we will hold the commission's 20th, anniversary meeting. We expect to approach it with even more impressive results. We fully share the principles of trust, openness, and mutual interest, and we intend to demonstrate this through concrete actions and initiatives," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

Also participating in the meeting from the Russian side were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Sergey Melik-Bagdasarov, Deputy Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation Evgeny Grabchak, State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation Andrei Korneev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Kirill Lysogorsky, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation Alexander Poshivai, and State Secretary and Deputy Minister of Health of the Russian Federation Oleg Salagai.

From the Venezuelan side – Vice President for Science, Technology and Environment, Minister of People's Power for Science and Technology Gabriela Jiménez Ramírez, Minister of People's Power for Industry and Production Alex Saad, Minister of People's Power for Economy and Finance, Vice President of PDVSA Anabel Pereira Fernández, Minister of People's Power for Transport Ramón Velázquez Araguayan, Minister of People's Power for Agriculture and Fisheries Juan Carlos Loyo, Minister of People's Power for Ecological Mountain Development Héctor Silva, Minister of People's Power for Commerce Luis Villegas, Minister of People's Power for Health Magali Gutiérrez, Minister of People's Power for Youth Affairs Sergio Lotartaro and others.

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.

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Government meeting (2025, No. 41).

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

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1. On the execution of the federal budget for the first nine months of 2025, November 26, 2025. And also on support for the northern regions. The President has identified the development of the Arctic as one of our strategic priorities. It is important to improve the quality of life for citizens there, create comfortable conditions for work and study, and ensure access to high-quality and reliable communications.

To address this challenge, approximately 7,000 kilometers of fiber optic lines will be built in Yakutia. They will connect hard-to-reach and remote areas of the Arctic zone. High-speed internet will be available in 61 settlements in the republic, home to a total of approximately 50,000 people. Currently, only expensive satellite communications are available, with no backup channels. This leads to constant problems and service outages.

The government will allocate nearly 5.5 billion rubles from the federal budget to implement this large-scale project. And, according to our agreement, the region itself will contribute the same amount. All plans must be implemented within the next three years.

Maksut Igorevich (addressing M. Shadaev), please monitor this closely.

The new infrastructure will allow homes and public facilities to connect to networks with data transfer speeds of at least 100 Mbps, compared to the current 10 Mbps. This will lead to lower tariffs.

Citizens and businesses will be able to more actively use modern digital capabilities and electronic services. The adoption of technology across economic sectors will accelerate.

In addition, optical access is more resistant to external influences and is not affected by weather conditions, which is of great importance in the harsh conditions of the North.

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.

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A study by St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) has revealed statistical patterns in the performance of reinforced concrete elements at low temperatures.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

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Vladimir Popov, Associate Professor of the Department of Reinforced Concrete and Masonry Structures at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU), and Candidate of Engineering Sciences, completed his research project on "Statistical Patterns of the Kinetics of Resistance of Eccentrically Compressed Reinforced Concrete Elements Under Low-Temperature Impacts." The project was completed as part of a grant competition for research by university faculty in 2025.

In existing design standards for reinforced concrete structures, ultimate relative deformations of concrete are assumed to be average values, while strength characteristics are assumed to be highly reliable. In calculations using a nonlinear deformation model, it is the deformations of concrete and reinforcement that directly influence the results, and using average values can reduce the reliability of calculations under certain conditions.

Freezing and thawing cycles create additional complications. Low temperatures cause concrete degradation, leading to a reduction in its strength and ultimate strain.

In the course of the study, carried out using methods of mathematical statistics and diagrammatic calculation, it was established:

The variability of the deformation characteristics of concrete and reinforcement significantly affects the calculated compressive resistance of reinforcement of class A500 and higher; the bearing capacity of eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete elements decreases when using average values of ultimate relative deformations in calculations; freeze-thaw cycles of concrete reduce the reliability of reinforced concrete structures; the effect of variability of ultimate deformations of concrete on the bearing capacity of eccentrically compressed reinforced concrete elements increases with an increase in the reinforcement ratio and depends on the eccentricity of application of the longitudinal force.

The obtained results confirm the need for further study of the variability of the deformation characteristics of concrete and its influence on the performance of reinforced concrete elements under conditions of alternating freezing and thawing.

Based on the results of the research work, articles were prepared for publication in journals included in the list of the Higher Attestation Commission, one of which was published.

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.

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RUDN students learned about student meals in Indonesia at an international scientific school

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

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This fall, the International Scientific School "Sustainable Development Project Management: Focus on Food Waste" brought together students and young researchers from RUDN University and Universitas Sebelas Maret (Surakarta, Indonesia) to explore real-world cases to understand how food waste flows are structured and which project solutions can help reduce it in the developing economies of Southeast Asia.

The students completed the full cycle—from developing a research design and questionnaires to collecting data in local markets and schools, conducting initial analysis, and preparing project solutions assessing economic, environmental, and social impact. This format allowed the students not only to experience the circular economy in action but also to see how academic models work in real-world urban environments and government pilot programs.

Project history

The school is integrated into a broader semester-long track: in October, participants attend online lectures from RUDN and UNS on the challenges of food waste in developing countries, the drivers and barriers to sustainable food waste management in Indonesia, and present mini-reports on best global practices. Simultaneously, the teams, together with their faculty, design a field research program: agree on locations, develop a questionnaire, determine respondent groups, sampling methods, and data coding, so they can immediately enter the field in Indonesia with a well-designed toolkit. The in-person phase in Java becomes the focal point of this route, followed by a post-phase: refining food waste reduction projects, calculating impacts, preparing grant applications, and presenting their ideas at an international venue.

The project's history is a logical continuation of RUDN's long-standing collaboration with an Indonesian university. The Faculty of Economics team visits Surakarta annually to hold Olympiads, discuss joint research, and develop new academic mobility formats. At some point, the partners began considering how to make the exchange truly research-based and came up with the idea of a semester-long seminar that integrates theory and practice, culminating in a field trip and the development of real-world project solutions with students from the partner university. The starting point for this particular recruitment was a large-scale Indonesian government pilot program providing all schoolchildren—from elementary to high school—with free school meals.

Universitas Sebelas Maret acts as an independent observer in the project, exploring program weaknesses, organizing feedback, and analyzing how food procurement, preparation, and distribution practices are changing, as well as how food loss and waste are generated at each stage. The RUDN University-UNS School of Science is "integrated" into this live experiment: students gain access to a unique field (from school cafeterias to wholesale markets) and help collect data that will later form the basis for joint articles, project proposals, and, potentially, adjustments to public policy itself.

The in-person stage of the scientific school took place in Surakarta in an intensive week format: 16 academic hours of lectures and workshops on the circular economy were combined with field trips and brainstorming sessions on creating a circular business model for school meals and food waste management. On the first day, participants met with UNS faculty leadership, introduced their universities and projects, and then participated in a detailed introductory briefing on the national school meals program, which became the school's central case study. Their Indonesian colleagues explained the pilot program: the resources involved, the university's role as an observer, and the risk areas already visible in the practical implementation. Next, work began in mixed UNS-RUDN groups: the students immediately divided into small teams to jointly design the field research toolkit.

"My first day in Indonesia was memorable for its very hot and humid climate, especially in Jakarta. It was milder in Surakarta. I was surprised by how early it was to dawn and dark early. We had to wake up at seven in the morning, and at eight the students and I were picked up at the university, and we didn't return home until around nine in the evening. Meanwhile, at five in the morning, we could wake up peacefully to the sunlight shining through the window, like a strong lamp. Regarding the discussion of the pilot school meals program in Indonesia, what was unusual about it was that the government set two goals: reducing food waste and reducing the cost per serving (from 60 cents to a more affordable price). Since the standard of living in the country is not very high, 60 cents per serving (about 33 rubles) is considered a bad investment, especially given that the rate of food waste has been high since the project's inception," says Maria Potapkina, student affairs specialist at the Faculty of Economics and the Institute of World Economy and Business at RUDN University.

Visiting the school

A detailed questionnaire emerged from the heated discussions—more than 50 questions for various groups of respondents, from students and teachers to administrators and suppliers. This allowed for a comprehensive look at the food system and sources of food waste. The very next day, plans had to be adjusted, truly project-based, as a planned visit to the school food processing facility was cancelled due to a lack of government approval. Therefore, the team quickly shifted to working directly at the school.

As a result, the students found themselves at a private Muslim school, where they spent the entire day interacting with teachers and children—curious, open, and often fluent in English. They also observed how meals were organized on-site: what dishes were offered to the children, how queues formed, what was left on the plates, and how the students themselves perceived the new state curriculum.

"Under the pilot program, children weren't given a particularly varied menu: rice prepared in various ways, fruit (usually papaya), vegetable salad, and sometimes meat or fish/seafood. All of this was prepared in a community kitchen, packed into metal food boxes, and delivered to schools. After receiving the food, the children ate right in their classrooms (in Indonesia, there are no designated areas for school meals). The food prepared for the students isn't refrigerated, and it's delivered to the schools semi-hot (the preparation time of each batch is factored in, as deliveries begin simultaneously around midday). Delivery is often delayed due to traffic. Despite this, the percentage of spoiled food is very low. Food waste occurs primarily because the menu, which the government has designed as "healthy and balanced," isn't liked by children. Many children don't eat at school. Others may bring food from home, so they don't even touch the school food. The children said they also had a mobile kitchen that cooked delicious food. The food was relatively inexpensive, but the pilot project was generally aimed at children from families who couldn't afford pocket money for school meals or pack a lunchbox," said Maria Potapkina.

A key part of the field day was a visit to the market where school meals are purchased. In temperatures around 35 degrees Celsius, without refrigeration, they sell not only fruits and vegetables but also meat. This allowed the students to see how safety, logistics, and potential food losses are combined in practice during the delivery phase.

"In hot weather, Indonesians use traditional methods to preserve freshness. They use banana leaves and natural packaging materials. They cook in small portions and generously use spices with natural antiseptic properties. They store food in the shade and in containers filled with water," says Konstantin Dedkov, a fourth-year student at the Institute of World Economy and Business, majoring in International Economic Security.

Trip results

The third day of the research school was devoted to reflecting on the accumulated material: a lecture on field research methodology was held on the UNS campus, where fresh impressions from the school and the market collided with strict requirements for data quality and research design. The students' reactions showed that this "reverse order"—practice first, methodology second—was even more effective: many critically rethought the previous day's questionnaires and sampling approaches, which is especially valuable during the pilot phase. After the lecture, the teams returned to their groups to structure their initial results, agree on further online work, and outline plans for joint publications and projects in the field of food waste management.

"On the third day, our team presented an idea for developing a mobile app that collects data on children's preferences, helps schools adjust menus based on actual requests, tracks items that generate the most leftovers, and includes a feedback mechanism for students. The proposal was positively received by our Indonesian partners as a practical tool for optimizing nutrition and reducing food waste," said Konstantin Dedkov.

The final day of the in-person program became the program's cultural highlight. Participants traveled to the 9th-century Prambanan Hindu temple complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here, the research lens shifted to an anthropological one: despite approximately 80% of Indonesia's population being Muslim, busloads of schoolchildren from across the country flock here to explore their historical and cultural heritage. The RUDN students, with their unusual appearance for Java, immediately became the focus of increased attention: people lined up to take photos, and the informal interactions with Indonesian students became another dimension of the vibrant intercultural dialogue that such research schools are created for.

Following the trip, all participants noted improved skills in project analysis, interviewing, and teamwork, as well as increased knowledge in the field of the circular economy and sustainable development—both theoretically and practically.

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.

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Survey for students living in the SPbGASU dormitory

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

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Dear students living in the SPbGASU dormitory!

To improve the efficiency of planning major renovations and dormitory equipment, as well as to achieve maximum efficiency in design, construction, and installation work, we ask you to complete an anonymous survey.

The survey will run until December 12, 2025.

Link to the survey

Your opinion is very important. Thank you everyone for participating!

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.

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At the V Congress of Young Scientists, NSU and Rostec presented a jointly developed innovative foot prosthesis.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Specialists from JSC TsNITI Tekhnomash (part of the Rostec State Corporation) presented a working prototype of the first domestically developed microprocessor-controlled hydraulic foot prosthesis at the Congress of Young Scientists held in Sochi. This innovative design is designed to dramatically improve the quality of life of amputees. Unlike most existing passive prostheses, this new device mimics natural gait biomechanics by using an intelligent control system for the hydraulic system.

As part of R&D, NSU employees developed and manufactured important elements of the prosthesis.

"Our task, as part of our contract with our partner, was to develop and manufacture the prosthesis' chassis and tires—composite elements made of carbon fiber and fiberglass, as well as decorative polymer overshoes. A passive version of the prosthesis, assembled from the developed elements, was successfully tested by an amputee. The results obtained using the biomechanical analysis system we were developing showed that the developed prosthesis achieves the required gait parameters," explained the head of the Biomechanics and Medical Engineering research group. Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU Vladimir Serdyukov.

"This is a strategically important project for us as part of the import substitution and development program for high-tech medical products in Russia," noted Technomash representative Maxim Bobkin. "Cooperation with scientists from NSU in this case allowed us to successfully complete a full-scale development in a relatively short timeframe—from modeling the prosthesis's parameters to analyzing its walking characteristics in a clinical setting. Continued collaboration with the university will allow us to conduct comprehensive research and refine the development with the participation of amputees, which will enable us to bring an innovative and in-demand product to market."

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.

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Polytechnic University's contribution to synchrotron research: the SKIF user congress and agreements with Belarusian universities

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the end of November, a representative of SPbPU took part in the International Conference "Congress of Users of the SKIF Center for Collective Use: Advanced Research Using Synchrotron Radiation," held in Akademgorodok, Novosibirsk.

The Siberian Ring Photon Source Shared Use Center (SKIF) is a generation 4 synchrotron radiation (SR) source being built in the Koltsovo science city near Novosibirsk. The SKIF accelerator complex consists of a 200 MeV electron linear accelerator, a 3 GeV booster synchrotron, and a storage ring. The 3 GeV relativistic electron storage ring, with a perimeter of 476 m and an ultra-low calculated horizontal emittance of 73.2 pcm rad, will deliver SR beams with a peak brightness in the range from 10 eV to 100 keV to 30 experimental stations. For photon energies of ~1.5 keV, the source emittance approaches the wave (diffraction) limit, ensuring a high degree of SR coherence, which expands the potential of the research complex. The SKIF Center for Collective Use's infrastructure will be used to conduct world-class research in various fields of physics, chemistry, materials science, molecular biology, medicine, and other disciplines, with an emphasis on the most breakthrough, economically and socially significant multidisciplinary tasks.

The congress provides a broad discussion platform and a meeting place for representatives of the SKIF Center for Collective Use, developers of unique scientific equipment, and future users. The congress program included plenary lectures, oral and poster presentations, and roundtable discussions on "SKIF Center for Collective Use Stations" and "Organizational Aspects of SKIF Center for Collective Use Work."

Professor of the Higher School of Engineering and Physics and Advisor to the Rector's Office of SPbPU Alexey Filimonov spoke at the round table "Organizational Aspects of the SKIF Center for Collective Use," where issues of organizing and planning work on the devices were discussed.

A few days earlier, Alexey Filimonov delivered a plenary talk at the international scientific conference "Instrument Engineering-2025" in Minsk, organized by the Belarusian National Technical University with the participation of the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Belarus. The topic of the talk, "The Effect of Electric Field on Phase Transitions in PZT Solid Solutions," was directly related to the theme of the SKIF congress, as the scientific results presented in it were obtained using synchrotron sources using the SR scattering method.

Antiferroelectrics, particularly lead zirconate and lead zirconate titanate-based solid solutions (PZT, PbZr(1-x)TixO3) with a low lead titanate content, are the best-known antiferroelectrics and are of interest in the development of fast capacitor-type electrical energy storage devices and electrocaloric cooling systems. The existence of so-called antiphase domain walls (APDWs) in pure lead zirconate has recently been experimentally demonstrated. APDWs in antiferroelectrics are flat domain walls several nanometers wide with nonzero polarization. These structures have proven to be of great interest as the basis for nonvolatile memory devices with ultrahigh data recording density. This paper examines the influence of electric fields on phase transitions in PZT and the possibility of controlling the domain structure of the antiferroelectric phase.

The conference brought together over 600 delegates from nine countries. Following successful negotiations with representatives of leading Belarusian universities (BSU, BNTU, and BSUIR), an agreement was reached to conduct joint research, and a draft proposal for a joint project was prepared.

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.

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Polytechnic University at the Forefront of Education: Dobro.Harmony Center at the Patriotic Youth Forum in Kronstadt

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The 12th Patriotic Youth Forum, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War and the Year of Defender of the Fatherland, was held at the Museum of Naval Glory of Russia (Fort Island) in Kronstadt. Organized by the Committee for Youth Policy and Interaction with Public Organizations of St. Petersburg, the event brought together over 400 participants, including public figures, leading experts in patriotic education, and government representatives.

The SPbPU Volunteer Project Center "Harmony" performed a creative act at the forum's opening ceremony and co-organized two key sections.

One of the forum's highlights was the panel discussion in the "Culture" section, moderated by the director of the "Harmony" Volunteer Project Center at SPbPU and associate professor at the Humanities Institute. Tatyana NamParticipants discussed the role of culture and creativity in shaping patriotic consciousness among young people, as well as the potential of creative industries for implementing socially significant projects.

The following speakers spoke at the section:

Tatyana Barabanova, Deputy Head of the Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity at SPbPU; Ilya Zavatsky, laureate of international competitions, artist of the State Academic Capella, musician of the Chamber Orchestra of the Troitsky Cultural Center, concertmaster of the Russian-Chinese Orchestra, participant in the counter-terrorism operation in the North Caucasus; Maria Guner, member of the Union of Writers of Russia, head of the PolyNova authors' club at SPbPU; Yulia Skornyakova, designer, youth specialist at the Youth House of Primorsky District of St. Petersburg; Zakhar Kornev, veteran of the SVO, deputy chairman of the Youth Parliament of St. Petersburg, social coordinator of the Fatherland Defenders Fund; Alexey Matveyev, CEO of the St. Petersburg project office "Cultural Capital," head of the directorate of the Golden Pelican, the highest people's award of St. Petersburg, an expert of the Public Chamber of St. Petersburg, the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, and the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, a social and creative producer, and a federal expert on grant competitions and educational programs in the creative sphere.

It's tough for creativity right now, especially for young people. How can you create something new when it seems the old can't be surpassed? It was difficult after Shakespeare, Mozart, and Botticelli, but nevertheless, Pushkin, Rachmaninoff, and Vrubel emerged. Now it's our turn to add names from our era to this list. The further we go, the harder it is to conquer the peaks, but this is an incentive, not a barrier. What does it take to turn an obstacle into a ladder? Respect for what has already been created, reliance on eternal values and one's own vision, one's own ideas, one's own thoughts. I believe that creativity is an everlasting beacon in the difficult waters of life, and it should show the right path, shared Maria Guner.

The "Service" section featured an open dialogue on values, responsibility, spiritual development, moral education, and the role of youth in modern society. The essence of service lies in a willingness to be there, to help, and to support. It takes various forms, but integrity and humanity always remain key. To reflect the diversity of approaches and opinions, the speakers included representatives from various sectors of public life.

The following took part in the discussion:

Nazar Dolitsky (call sign "Varyag"), a veteran of the SVO and member of the Night Wolves motorcycle club; Kirill Motovilov, a SVO participant, medic in an assault company, and head of the patriotic education department at the Primorsky District Youth Center; Priest Viktor Matyashov, a cleric of Smolny Cathedral and director of the Pokrov Interuniversity Association for the Spiritual and Moral Education of Teachers and Students of St. Petersburg; and Maxim Smirnov, an internet marketing specialist at the Humanities Institute of St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, a youth mentor at the Dobro.Harmony Center at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and director of the All-Russian Online School of Media Volunteers, MediaVOL.

The discussion participants agreed on the need for comprehensive educational work to preserve and develop national identity. Positive influence on young people is essential, both within the family and close social circles, and through the institution of the church, creative communities, authoritative leaders, and modern digital technologies.

Preserving the spiritual and cultural heritage of our history will always be the primary mission of our people. We must take responsibility for where we live through service to memory and society. Young Russian citizens are actively involved in volunteering, where they learn how to truly do so and contribute to their homeland," noted Zakhar Kornev.

The 12th Patriotic Youth Forum became an important platform for exchanging experiences between representatives of government agencies, public organizations, veterans, and active youth. The participation of the Dobro.Center "Harmony" in organizing the sections underscores the university's significant role in developing patriotic education and civic engagement among St. Petersburg students.

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.

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Sustainable Development in the Arctic: Polytechnics Students at the Arctic Legal Hack

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The 11th International Arctic Legal Forum, "Conservation and Sustainable Development of the Arctic: Legal Aspects," was held in St. Petersburg. The forum, dedicated to the fundamental challenges of legal support for Arctic development, brought together senators, deputies, government representatives, business leaders, academics, lawyers, and students.

Andrey Rudskoy, Vice President of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Chairman of the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Rector of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, delivered a welcoming address at the plenary session. He noted the historical significance of the Arctic for Russia and proposed making the St. Petersburg Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences a permanent venue for the forum.

The forum paid special attention to young people. The Arctic Legal Hack, a student hackathon, was held at the historic Zifergauz. Five teams from universities in St. Petersburg and Tyumen worked on a pressing issue: "How to organize solid municipal waste management in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug in the Arctic?"

A jury, headed by Sergey Karasev, Deputy Governor of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, evaluated the submitted project initiatives. The winning team was the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University team, which included first-year master's students from the Graduate School of Public Administration, Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade: Ekaterina Suleimanova, Danil Neustroev, Artem Yemelyanov, Maxim Svilpov, Marina Korlyakova, and Valeria Listova, a student from the Graduate School of Service and Trade. Natalia Putintseva, Associate Professor at the Graduate School of Public Administration, and Sergey Timofeev, Senior Lecturer, served as consultants.

Participating in the hackathon allowed us to demonstrate our management skills and approach the situation comprehensively, taking into account a number of constraints. The topic of solid municipal waste management in the harsh Arctic conditions was challenging, but interesting to explore. A wide variety of ideas emerged during the process. We thank our mentors for their support and the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug representative office in St. Petersburg for the opportunity to participate in such an event and influence the resolution of a relevant and real-world case, noted Ekaterina Suleimanova.

At the XI International Arctic Legal Forum in St. Petersburg, our team successfully presented a solution to an interesting and useful case. We put in a lot of effort, so we're very pleased that our project was noticed and appreciated! added Marina Korlyakova.

Following the forum, recommendations will be prepared for the Russian Government that could influence actual legislation.

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.

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Mentoring Grant: Polytechnic University's Adapters Transform the University Environment

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In the summer of 2025, the team from the SPbPU "Adapters" public institute won a grant from the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs for 1,276,120 rubles to implement a mentoring project. Active work had already begun then, but the first events only began in the fall, when the institutes' heads and deputies, as well as deputy heads, were replaced.

The first event was a problem-solving session. At it, the outgoing team discussed the challenges they had faced over the past year and analyzed possible solutions. After the names of the new leaders were announced, training began. This included a networking session to introduce the team members to each other, as well as lectures, which are mandatory for those taking on new positions.

At the end of November, a trip took place, marking the culmination of the Rosmolodezh grant. The event brought together the current and previous management teams, providing a unique opportunity to share experiences, transfer knowledge, and gain a deeper understanding of the specifics of leadership. The trip program included lectures, business and educational games, master classes, and joint activities aimed at strengthening professional knowledge.

One of the key events was a lecture by Dmitry Agranovsky and Alexander Potalov, the 2024 and 2023 Adapters Olympic Games leaders, respectively. Participants discussed modern approaches to team management, personal responsibility of a leader, and interaction within the student community. A business simulation was organized for the new team, where participants experienced the leadership journey, from their first days on the job to the end of the season. This allowed them to become familiar with real-life challenges, understand the structure of the work, and appreciate the importance of a mentor's role.

A special program was prepared for members of the institute's previous teams: an economic game, an immersive quest, a master class, and other events. Participants reminisced about their journeys and looked at the community's development from a mentoring perspective. Particular attention was paid to joint events. These became a platform for successors and their predecessors to exchange views, find common solutions, and develop a unified vision for the future of the Adapters Olympic Games. The events clearly demonstrated the principle of continuity.

The trip was not only an educational event but also an important step in strengthening a social institution, where each participant is part of a shared history and the foundation of future projects. The outcome of this work was the creation of a methodological framework for developing a mentoring program within the "Adapters" initiative. It aims to engage and retain student community leaders in the life of the university and in addressing youth policy issues. Its goal is to develop the institution of mentoring within the activities of other student communities. The program has demonstrated significant effectiveness, with 600 students participating.

The project was implemented with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh). The organizing team earned gratitude for their work and for creating an environment in which interaction, development, and continuity are the key principles of communication.

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