Университетская жизнь / – Page 188

January 29, 2026

Veronika Asaul, Head of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Public Utilities, has been approved as an Advisor to the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAASN).

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

By its decision of January 28, 2026, the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAACS) approved Professor Veronika Asaul, Head of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Public Utilities at the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, as an advisor to the Academy.

The Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAACS), founded in 1992, is the highest scientific organization in the fields of architecture, urban planning, and construction sciences. It serves as a federal research center coordinating fundamental research in these fields. The Academy's key activities include participating in the development of national and international programs and projects; developing new technologies in construction and building materials production; implementing innovations and scientific and technological advances in the industry; and international cooperation with Russian and foreign organizations.

Veronika Viktorovna's appointment as an advisor is not only recognition of her personal contribution to the development of the construction industry but also a testament to the high status of the scientific school she leads. Of particular significance is the fact that the scientific school of the Department of Construction Economics and Housing and Utilities at SPbGASU, under Veronika Asaul's leadership, has been included in the Register of Leading Scientific Schools of St. Petersburg. This status confirms the systematic and thorough nature of the research conducted, the demand for scientific results at the regional and federal levels, and the ability to develop a talent pool for the industry through the training of young scientists.

Veronika Asaul's research priorities align with the Academy's strategic objectives. The following key areas of her research, which align with the RAACS agenda, are highlighted:

Investment and Construction Complex Management: The research team at this scientific school develops methodological foundations for managing regional construction complexes, which directly aligns with RAASN's mission to shape public policy in urban development. The team's findings can form the basis for recommendations for optimizing industry management. Innovation and Risk Management in Construction: The research team at this scientific school focuses on implementing innovative solutions and minimizing risks in construction projects. This is critically important for RAASN, as the Academy actively promotes the implementation of advanced technologies, and the methods developed under the guidance of Veronika Asaul help improve the reliability of industry innovations. Interdisciplinary Connections: The work of this scientific school's researchers demonstrates the integration of economic, technological, and managerial aspects of construction. This approach is consistent with RAASN's strategy of strengthening ties between science and practice: research results help translate scientific research into practical solutions.

Veronika Asaul's appointment as an advisor to the Academy is an important step toward strengthening the scientific potential of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, expanding its expertise in addressing strategic industry challenges, and integrating advanced methodological developments into the Academy's key projects.

This appointment will enable the scientific and practical potential of the SPbGASU scientific school, headed by Veronika Viktorovna Asaul, to be utilized in the implementation of RAASN's priority programs, develop new approaches to addressing pressing issues in the construction industry, and strengthen interaction between academic science and industry practice.

We congratulate Veronika Viktorovna Asaul on her appointment as an advisor to the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAASN) and wish her fruitful work. We are confident that her contributions, along with the achievements of the scientific school she leads, will become an important element in the further development of Russian architectural and construction science and practice.

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.

January 29, 2026

Students of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering celebrated Russian Student Day.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Flash mob at the Peter and Paul Fortress

On January 12, 1755, Empress Elizabeth Petrovna signed a decree establishing Moscow University, and centuries later, students from across the country gather to celebrate this day. Students at SPbGASU participated in various events, activities, and ceremonies dedicated to Students' Day.

On January 24, a roundtable discussion was held at the D. F. Ustinov Baltic State Technical University "Voenmech" with Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia. The event was organized at the initiative of the Student Council of the Ministry of Education and Science. Acting Chair of the Student Council of St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU), Anastasia Fedakova, participated. The discussion focused on youth policy and student self-government.

That same day, our students, participants in the annual youth patriotic campaign "Nevsky Desant," attended the opening ceremony of the 2026 season. Over 750 St. Petersburg soldiers from 30 detachments gathered to travel to districts of the Leningrad Region and provide assistance to local residents, helping and inspiring them with their good deeds. The "Lastochka" detachment of the Nevsky Desant from St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering performed at the opening ceremony. On January 25, as part of the patriotic campaign "Let's Bow to Those Great Years," "Lastochka" soldiers were already cleaning the mass grave of Soviet soldiers who died during the Great Patriotic War in the village of Yablonitsy, Volosovsky District.

On January 25, SPbGASU students represented the university at the opening of the sixth season of the Rosmolodezh project "Your Move." Along with 600 other guests from across the country, they attended master classes and lectures by renowned speakers at the National Center "Russia" in Moscow and participated in festive events dedicated to the cultures of the peoples of Russia.

Also on this day, SPbGASU students, along with over 1,000 activists from St. Petersburg's higher education institutions, took part in a citywide flash mob for Students' Day, organized by the public organizations "Young Guard of United Russia" and "Volunteer Company." Carrying their university flags, they marched across the Ioannovsky Bridge to the Peter and Paul Fortress, and then formed a symbolic "living gradebook" on the Naryshkin Bastion.

Additionally, on Tatyana's Day, the SPbGASU Student Sports Club "Lisy" participated in the All-Russian physical education and sports event "Zachetiy STUDzaBEG": students and staff started at nine in the morning and ran five kilometers along the park paths.

At the conclusion of Student Day, our students participated in the "Student Sports Night" festival, attending a public ice skating event at the A. B. Shilov Skating Stadium. Competitions and master classes by renowned figure skaters were held there.

January 29, 2026

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

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

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

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

The questionnaire included three questions:

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

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

January 29, 2026

Youth policy at universities. Student self-government discussed at Voenmekh

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A meeting with Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, was held at the D. F. Ustinov Baltic State Technical University "VOENMEKH" on the topic: "Student Self-Government as a Key Instrument for Implementing Youth Policy and Educational Activities in Higher Education Institutions."

The focus is on the role of student councils in the educational activities of universities, the development of leadership competencies, and the involvement of young people in social and managerial agendas. The course also provides an introduction to the history and scientific and educational activities of the university, and discusses practices of interaction between universities and youth associations.

"Today's students face a wide range of choices—opportunities, formats, and development trajectories," Olga Petrova emphasized. "And here, mentoring and university support are especially important, helping students chart their path and develop into competent, informed graduates. Ultimately, everything depends on the young people themselves and their willingness to be active and creative."

The roundtable was initiated by the Student Council of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science. Participants included representatives of the St. Petersburg Student Council, the regional branch of the "Movement of the First," and the all-Russian project "Your Move."

Maxim Susorov, Chairman of the SPbPU Students' Trade Union and the St. Petersburg Student Council, was one of the event's co-organizers.

"The meeting was quite productive; we touched on many interesting topics relevant to the development of self-government in our country," said Maxim Susorov. "After this event, I myself began to look at some issues from a slightly different perspective. I'm pleased that Deputy Minister Olga Petrova, responsible for this area, places a strong emphasis on personal communication with student government representatives. This fosters dialogue and trust."

January 29, 2026

Protecting Electric Power Systems: A Joint Project of the Polytechnic and the Technological University of Havana

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

A team of scientists from the Institute of Civil Engineering and the Institute of Power Engineering at SPbPU, together with the Technological University of Havana "José Antonio Echeverría" (CUJAE), have developed a decision-making model aimed at optimizing the operation of electric power systems during extreme weather events. The project is being implemented with funding from a grant from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

In September 2025, an online meeting of the project teams was held to outline the project's scientific objectives. In October 2025, during a visit to the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University by a delegation from the Technological University of Havana "José Antonio Echeverría," Rector Marta Dunia Delgado Dapena and CUJAE Director General of Information, Communications, and Information Technology Naima Cepero Pérez reviewed the project's interim results. They praised their significant significance for Cuba.

The likelihood of power grid failures increases significantly during extreme weather events. Overhead power line outages can lead to a complete or partial disruption of power supply to consumers. The project aims to minimize the number of consumers without power.

The project's main result is a decision-making model that allows for determining the operating mode of the electric power system that will supply the greatest number of consumers with electricity. This model is presented as a digital solution based on a genetic optimization method. The research team has already received an application for practical implementation from its industrial partner, the RIO Design Bureau.

The scientific and technical results obtained as part of the project determine the optimal operating mode for the electric power system under extreme weather conditions. The proposed approach is intended for use in power system control centers to implement measures aimed at reducing the proportion of consumers without power. This scientific result is of particular value for Russia and the Republic of Cuba, as the problem of climate-related power outages in both countries is particularly acute and has not yet been fully resolved, noted Vyacheslav Burlov, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Technical Biology.

January 29, 2026

Students from St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering took part in events commemorating the Day of the Lifting of the Siege of Leningrad.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

At the ceremony at the monument to the People's Militia

On January 27, the Day of the Complete Liberation of Leningrad from the Nazi Siege, students from our university took part in commemorative events.

They laid flowers at the monument to the People's Militia near the Baltic Station. The monument is dedicated to the city residents who, during the siege, departed from here to fight in the Leningrad People's Militia Army.

SPbGASU students also took part in a memorial ceremony at the Piskarevskoye Memorial Cemetery. By laying flowers at the "Motherland" monument, the participants honored the memory of those who perished during the terrible days of the siege.

The "Candle of Remembrance" event took place within the university walls: candles were lit at the Memorial Boards on the upper balustrade, where the names of our university students and faculty who fought during the Great Patriotic War are inscribed. Each candle symbolized not only the grief for the victims of the siege but also the resilience, courage, and indomitable spirit of the people who made Leningrad endure.

January 29, 2026

166 years since the birth of Anton Chekhov

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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Anton Pavlovich is a classic of world literature, a writer, and playwright with a medical education. He wrote over 300 works during his lifetime.

Childhood and youth in Taganrog

Chekhov was born in Taganrog into a large merchant family. From childhood, he was accustomed to hard work: he sang in the church choir, studied diligently, helped his father in the grocery store, and even learned to be a tailor. His parents instilled in him not only a hard work ethic but also other important qualities: compassion, respect for people, and a love of nature. While still in high school, he began writing his first short stories and sketches under the pseudonym "Chekhonte," given to him by one of his teachers.

After his family moved to Moscow in 1876, 16-year-old Anton remained alone in Taganrog. To support himself, he tutored and wrote essays. He sent short sketches of Taganrog life, such as "The Stammerer," to his brothers in Moscow. His first play, "Fatherlessness," was also published around that time. It explored spiritual crisis and the loss of moral compass.

The beginning of the journey in Moscow

In 1879, Chekhov moved to Moscow, where he took on the responsibility of caring for his family, living on the modest income from his literary publications. This year proved to be a landmark one for him:

His debut in print: the short story "Letter to a Learned Neighbor" and the humorous piece "What is Most Common in Novels, Stories, etc." His university entrance exams: He enrolled in the medical faculty of Moscow University (now Sechenov University).

While still a student, Chekhov began his medical practice, working as a district doctor and later as the head of a hospital in Zvenigorod.

The development of a writer and mature work

In 1884, Chekhov's first book, "Tales of Melpomene," was published, followed by the well-known collections "Motley Stories" (1886), "In the Twilight" (1887), and "Gloomy People" (1890). In the late 1880s, he actively worked for the theater, creating the plays "Ivanov," "The Wood Goblin," and "The Wedding," as well as the famous vaudevilles "The Bear" and "The Anniversary." Seeking inspiration and new experiences, Chekhov traveled extensively, visiting Nizhny Novgorod, Sakhalin, Yasnaya Polyana, and Western Europe.

In 1892, the writer moved to the Melikhovo estate near Moscow. Here, he actively helped people: as a doctor, he treated peasants, built schools, traveled to areas ravaged by famine, and participated in the general census. It was in Melikhovo that his most famous works were created: the play "The Seagull," the novella "Ward No. 6," and the short stories "The House with a Mezzanine" and "The Man in a Case."

Recent years and recognition

Chekhov spent his last years in Yalta, where he worked on the play The Cherry Orchard and received numerous guests, including Maxim Gorky, Ivan Bunin, and Leo Tolstoy, who called Chekhov "an incomparable artist of life" and "Pushkin in prose."

Chekhov's contemporaries and descendants highly valued him as an innovator. They noted his unique talent for revealing the profound psychology of his characters through everyday details, while the laconicism and radiant humanism of his prose elevated realism to the level of philosophical generalization. He is rightly considered a master whose work enriched not only Russian but also world literature.

Anton Pavlovich Chekhov's work remains relevant because it speaks not of events, but of the eternal: the fragility of the human soul, the search for meaning in everyday life, and the courage to live despite the imperfections of the world. This makes him not just a classic, but our insightful contemporary.

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January 29, 2026

Novosibirsk scientists are helping oil companies safely "package" carbon dioxide underground.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Researchers Advanced Engineering School of Novosibirsk State University (AES NSU) Developed mathematical models and monitoring tools that allow assessing the safety of carbon dioxide (CO₂) disposal in geological formations. The work was conducted under a three-year grant from the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education, in collaboration with colleagues from Tongji University (Shanghai, China).

We're talking about CO₂ capture and storage technology, which is considered a promising way to reduce the negative effects of greenhouse gas emissions. The approach involves injecting carbon dioxide into well-sealed geological structures, including depleted hydrocarbon deposits, and reliably sequestering it there for decades or even hundreds of years. The key objective is to eliminate the risk of gas leaks to the surface.

As Alexander Valov, a research fellow at the NSU School of Physical Analysis, explained, the project focused on the most vulnerable elements of such systems.

"We studied the wellbore and near-wellbore zone stability—that is, scenarios in which its integrity could be compromised and the injected CO₂ would begin to leak out, damaging the space behind the well casing. Our task is to model such risks in advance and propose ways to prevent them," he explained.

Scientists have developed several mathematical models describing possible mechanisms of well failure due to man-made causes. Particular attention was paid to the cement casing, which seals the well and is considered the weakest link in the structure. The models take into account the mechanical and thermal effects that occur during gas injection, as well as scenarios of cement delamination leading to leakage.

At the same time, the team developed monitoring systems to detect leaks at an early stage. Acoustic methods and distributed temperature sensing (DTS)—sensors that detect characteristic noises and temperature changes in the well—were used. The developed approaches were tested on a special experimental rig, which simulated the CO₂ injection process on a scale.

"Experiments have shown that some sensors perform well, while others require higher sensitivity. Based on the results of these experiments and comparisons with the mathematical models we developed, we have developed specific technological recommendations," noted Alexander Valov.

The work was conducted in collaboration with China's Tongji University. The partners focused on the conditions characteristic of basaltic shelves near Shanghai, while the Novosibirsk scientists focused on the geological features of sedimentary rocks common in Russia. This allowed them to cover a wide range of possible CO₂ storage conditions.

A Russian oil and gas company, which views mature wells as potential carbon dioxide storage facilities, has expressed practical interest in the project's results. Tools have been developed for this company to model injection scenarios for specific field parameters and select the safest modes.

"The model is needed precisely to 'play out' various scenarios in advance and understand which ones minimize risks. Specific parameters always depend on the geology and well design," emphasized Alexander Valov.

According to the scientists, the competencies gained during the project can also be used to assess the risk of cement casing failure in cased boreholes and other technological operations that involve intensive wellbore impacts. The developed approaches not only allow for assessing the safety of CO₂ disposal but also for mitigating environmental risks during the development of oil and gas production technologies.

January 28, 2026

Financial news: On January 29, 2026, ANO ARSG NO will hold a deposit auction.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Parameters;

The deposit auction date is 29.01.2026. Placement currency is RUB. The maximum amount of funds placed (in the placement currency) is 330,000,000. Placement term, days 293. Date of depositing funds is 30.01.2026. Date of return of funds is 19.11.2026. Minimum placement interest rate, % per annum is 14.5. Terms of the conclusion, urgent or special (urgent). The minimum amount of funds placed for one application (in the placement currency) is 330,000,000. The maximum number of applications from one Participant, pcs. 1. Auction form, open or closed (Open).

The basis of the Agreement is the General Agreement. Schedule (Moscow time). Preliminary bids from 4:00 PM to 4:10 PM. Competitive bids from 4:10 PM to 4:20 PM. The cutoff percentage may be set or the auction may be declared void by 4:40 PM. Additional terms and conditions.

January 28, 2026

Marat Khusnullin: In the DPR, work on restoring the bypass around Donetsk is 50% complete.

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.

In the Donetsk People's Republic, road workers are carrying out major repairs to the capital's bypass. The project includes upgrading approximately 50 km of roadway and several artificial structures. The project is currently 50% complete, according to Deputy Prime Minister Marat Khusnullin.

"The construction and repair of bypass roads is a priority for the development of road infrastructure in the regions, including the reunified ones. Large population centers, especially regional centers, experience high traffic congestion, as transit traffic and key routes often pass through them. Bypasses reduce traffic within city limits, making road traffic safer. Such highways also have strategic significance, such as the Donetsk bypass. The 50-kilometer highway connects the city with Belgorod, Luhansk, and Mariupol, adjoining the R-150 federal highway. The facility was heavily damaged by shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces and required repairs. As of today, 50% of the work has been completed," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that the capital repairs project is being implemented under the supervision of the state-owned company Avtodor and is divided into three sections.

"On a more than 30-kilometer section of federal highway R-150, up to 90% of the base course and approximately 80% of the top course of asphalt concrete pavement have been laid. Road workers have begun landscaping on 11 kilometers of the regional road leading to Horlivka, as well as on a 6-kilometer section of the Yasinovataya Highway toward Donetsk Airport. The work is progressing at a rapid pace and is crucial both for the strategic development of the region and for the well-being of residents," noted Vyacheslav Petushenko, Chairman of the Board of the Avtodor State Company.