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November 29th marks Letter "ё" Day—a date commemorating one of the most unusual letters in the Russian alphabet. Its history is more than just a linguistic curiosity, but an epic struggle for precision, honor, and even human destiny.

French roots

In 1783, at a meeting of the Imperial Russian Academy, its director and the first woman in the world to hold such a position, Princess Ekaterina Dashkova, proposed replacing the cumbersome spelling of "іо" with a single letter. After demonstrating the spelling of the word "іолка" to the academics, she asked: why waste two characters on one sound? Thus, "ё" was born—with two dots and a clearly defined purpose.

The idea was supported by writers Gavriil Derzhavin and Denis Fonvizin, who began using the new letter in personal and business correspondence. As early as 1795, Ivan Dmitriev first printed the "ё" in his song collection "And My Little Things"—in the word "vsyo" (everything). But widespread recognition came later, thanks to historian and writer Nikolai Karamzin. In 1797, he replaced "слиозы" with "слиозы" (tears) in the first Russian poetry almanac, "Аонды" (Aonides), and the letter entered everyday writing. The publication was distributed throughout the country, and for a long time, Karamzin was considered the father of the "ё," although the initiative belonged to Dashkova. Rumor has it that the idea came to Her Highness the Director, a great lover of champagne, from an unexpected source: the letter "ё" in the name of the then-very fashionable French wine house Moët.

Common sound

Despite its elite origins, the "ё" sound was long unpopular in aristocratic circles. In the 19th century, conservatives considered it unnecessary: the authoritative philologist Alexander Vostokov argued that we don't spell "fire" with an "a," even though we hear it as [a]. Meanwhile, in high society, the "ёканье" sound was perceived as a sign of common speech.

And yet, the letter gained strength. Leo Tolstoy included it in his "Azbuka" (also known as "ABC"), pronouncing and writing his name as "Lev" (Lion) in keeping with the old Muscovite tradition. In the archives of the Tsarskoye Selo Lyceum, all student records contain the "yo" (or "ё"). The Governor-General of Moscow, Grand Duke Sergei Alexandrovich, also used periods in official documents. But there was no uniform orthography—everyone decided for themselves whether to use the "yo" (or "ё") in writing.

The revolutionary reform of 1918, contrary to expectations, did not enshrine the "ё" in the alphabet. Although the 1904 draft proposed its more active use, it was not mentioned in the final decree. The reason was not ideology, but economy: in the midst of the Civil War, there was no surplus metal for the production of new typographic fonts. Even unneeded old letters—yat, izhitsa—were melted down.

Return of two points

In 1942, at the height of the Great Patriotic War, the "ё" letter was revived. According to one theory, it was caused by confusion over the names of generals: Stalin was allegedly furious when he saw "Degtev" instead of "Dyogtev" in documents. Another theory is that Soviet intelligence discovered that the Germans were writing "ё" as "jo" on captured maps to avoid confusing, for example, Berezovka with Beryozovka. In any case, spelling accuracy proved more important than typographical savings: starting December 7, 1942, the newspaper Pravda began dotting the "ё," and an order from Vladimir Potemkin, the People's Commissar of Education, on December 24 finally enshrined the change. Although the "ё" letter was once again made optional after the war, this document remains formally in place today.

Practical difficulties later contributed to the "ё"'s ousting. Typewriters rarely had a dedicated key for it—to insert periods, the typist had to return the carriage and type quotation marks over the "е," while writing by hand required three movements. In early computer encodings, the letter was often missing. And in editorial offices, the belief persists that the "ё" visually "spoils" the layout.

On guard of meaning

But the main thing isn't convenience, but meaning. In 2009, thousands of Russians faced legal disputes due to the absence of the "ё" letter in their passports. There's a story about a certain Professor Yozhikov, who couldn't register an inheritance because his birth certificate listed his surname with periods, but his passport didn't. Court cases and piles of documents ensued—all because of two periods. Then, a decision by the Russian Ministry of Education and Science brought order to this chaos: the "ё" letter is mandatory in proper names, as it's a matter of legal status.

It's also important that the "ё" always indicates a stressed sound and eliminates spelling risks: for example, without it, the correct "свыокла" (svekla) would become the illiterate "ветклá," and the name of the "Планерная" station is now often pronounced as "Планерная" (Planernaya) because the "ё" is missing from the Moscow metro map. Furthermore, the absence of two dots above the "е" can completely distort the meaning: what did the writer mean when he wrote "передохинем" (we'll rest or die)?

Literary monument

In Ulyanovsk, Karamzin's birthplace, stands the world's only monument to a letter—a granite stele over two meters tall. It bears an exact replica of the "ё" imprint from the 1797 almanac "Aonides." It is a symbol of respect for a language in which every detail matters.

The letter "ё" has survived oblivion, neglect, and technical abandonment. But it has survived because it defends not only literary norms but also human rights, not just the rhythm of poetry. So, reviving the culture of "ё" isn't pedantry, but respect for the Russian word, for oneself, and for others. After all, these two little dots can have a profound impact on an entire human life.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 29, 2025.

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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On November 28, the All-Russian Conference of the Russian Political Science Association (RAPS) with international participation, "Russia and the World in the First Quarter of the 21st Century: Political Results and Prospects," opened at the State University of Management.

This year, the event brought together political scientists not only from Russia, but also from 22 other countries.

The meeting was opened by Oksana Gaman-Golutvina, President of the Russian Academy of Political Sciences, Deputy Chair of the Public Council under the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation, and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

"Our meeting annually brings together political scientists from virtually every region of Russia. This year, they were joined by representatives from 22 countries. This is especially significant, as this year marks a special conference: we're holding it in the year of our association's 70th anniversary and also in the year that marks the end of the first quarter of the 21st century. Both milestones are significant and provide an opportunity to reflect on the large-scale processes of recent years, which is what we'll be doing today," concluded the RAPN president.

The expert outlined the conference's main focus areas and spoke about the Academy's contribution to preserving scientific heritage: published books, journals, interactive websites, and more. In concluding her speech, Oksana Gaman-Golutvina emphasized that "effective governance requires effective expertise, including political science."

Deputy Ministers of Science and Higher Education Olga Petrova and Dmitry Afanasyev sent video messages to the participants. The ministry representatives thanked the conference organizers, congratulated the Russian Political Science Association on its 70th anniversary, and wished the participants fruitful work.

Next, the floor was given to Deputy Head of the Presidential Directorate for Public Projects, Alexander Zhuravsky:

"The world is constantly changing, and this is happening not only because of neural networks and AI, but also because the world is fundamentally unstable and changeable. This also applies to the international economic and political situation. When Vladimir Putin proposed creating BRICS in 2006, no one perceived the alliance as a serious force, but today BRICS has already surpassed the G7 in terms of economic development. Now, adherence to certain values determines the world order. On one side is the world of Western civilization, which aspires to dominance. On the other is the world of traditional values, such as BRICS and the SCO, which are increasingly being joined. Thus, very soon a new global bipolarity will emerge not only in fact but also in law."

In turn, Vladimir Stroyev, Rector of the State University of Management, thanked those gathered for choosing the first university to host such an important event and noted the benefits of participation for students.

"Today, the plenary session has brought together the best specialists and scholars in the field of political science. Our university has been training managers for various industries for over 100 years. Today, new students are unlike those who came three to five years ago, let alone earlier. They have a different perspective, different aspirations, goals, and approach to life. At the same time, our students are active and ambitious individuals who will eventually occupy leadership positions in a wide variety of fields: business, politics, ministries, the social sector, and others. These are people who influence our future. We understand that it is important to prepare them properly not only in economics and management, but also in the humanities, so that they are prepared for modern challenges and circumstances and are able to navigate life and space. Therefore, it is especially important for us to hear the opinions and presentations of leading experts in the country," concluded the SUM rector.

Dmitry Orlov, Director General of the Agency for Political and Economic Communications (APEC), concluded the welcoming remarks by outlining the practical challenges facing political science today. Among them, he highlighted the formation of a vision for the future, ensuring a balanced system, social inequality in many areas, and identifying sources of growth.

Alexander Dugin, Director of the Ivan Ilyin Higher Political School at the Russian State University for the Humanities, presented a report on the importance of sovereignty in science.

"Our fundamental task is to continue the line of the Slavophiles, who argued that Russia is an independent civilization. Today, this is the dominant approach. There are no longer any debates about this between Slavophiles and Westernizers in our country. However, the question of political affiliation arises. After all, Western political science has only three main options: liberal, communist, and nationalist. That's all there is to it, which is unacceptable for us today. This is the most profound challenge to the sovereignty of Russian political science: finding a platform that transcends these three theories," the professor concluded.

Konstantin Kostin, President of the Civil Society Development Foundation, raised the important issue of preserving historical truth not only about the past but also about the present in his report. The expert noted that "already today, neural networks and artificial intelligence are producing a wide variety of answers to simple questions about recent events of the first quarter of the 21st century, some of which are inconsistent with the truth. If nothing is done, over time, these answers will become the truth in the minds of the younger generation."

Irina Semenenko, Deputy Director of the Primakov Institute of World Economy and International Relations (IMEMO) of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented a study on identity politics in the public sphere, while Igor Kuznetsov, Professor at Lomonosov Moscow State University, shared the results of his research on the role of popular culture in shaping perceptions of Russia's future among young people.

The first section of the program was concluded by Andrey Polosin, scientific director of the "DNA of Russia" project and RANEPA Vice-Rector, who discussed the nature and development of social and humanitarian knowledge, the challenges it faces in responding to current events and processes in the world and society, and introduced the objectives and implementation process of the "DNA of Russia" project.

At the conference, participants presented papers on the contemporary development of political science against the backdrop of global and regional development challenges.

At the end of the first day, the RAPN reporting and election conference was held.

The All-Russian Conference of the Russian Academy of Political Sciences with international participation is held with the support of: State University of Management, Moscow State Institute of International Relations (University) of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peoples' Friendship University of Russia named after P. Lumumba, Presidential Grants Foundation, Political Encyclopedia Publishing House (ROSSPEN), Aspect Press Publishing House. Scientific journals: Political Studies (Polis), Comparative Politics, Power, Political Science, Political Expertise. Politex, Bulletin of Peoples' Friendship University of Russia. Political Science Series.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 29, 2025.

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On November 27, the State University of Management hosted the 6th International Scientific and Practical Conference "Transport and Logistics for Sustainable Development of Territories, Business, and the State (Growth Drivers, Trends, and Barriers)." The event, timed to coincide with the 85th anniversary of transport education at the State University of Management, is held annually as part of the Russian Federation's Transport Workers' Day celebrations.

The conference received over 170 submissions from authors from Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, China, Vietnam, Syria, and Turkmenistan—a testament to the growing international interest in the transport and logistics agenda.

The plenary session, held in the University's Scientific Library, was opened by Alexander Vasilchenko, Director of the Department of State Policy in Automobile and Urban Passenger Transport at the Russian Ministry of Transport. Professor Alexey Stepanov, Head of the Department of Transport Complex Management at the State University of Management, moderated the session.

Participants discussed key areas of development in the transport industry: the development of logistics systems within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the modernization of passenger transport, personnel training, and the implementation of digital solutions within the framework of the "Logistics 4.0" concept. Special attention was paid to the transformation of professions in the face of technological challenges.

Experts from leading transport and scientific organizations presented research on assessing passenger service quality, integrating inter-industry balances into the transport system, and addressing the challenges of the logistics business in the modern world. Presentations focused on international experience, ranging from cold chain optimization in China to adapting mining equipment to Syrian conditions and modeling transport flows in Central Asia.

Representatives from industry companies added practical significance to the discussions. In particular, the international logistics operator Tablogix discussed current trends and offered internship opportunities to GUU students. Project-based learning cases implemented by the First Management School in partnership with JSC IERT, the DREAM AUTO auto service group, and other industrial partners were also presented, including potential collaboration with NAMI, Russia's leading scientific and engineering center for the transport industry.

The day concluded with a session for young scientists, where GUU students presented research on topics such as the integration of trams and the Moscow Central Diameters, the use of personal mobility devices, the application of artificial intelligence at airports, the development of logistics outsourcing in e-commerce, the specifics of Minsk's transport systems, and the prospects for mobility in Vietnam.

The conference once again confirmed the status of the State University of Management as one of the leading platforms for dialogue between science, government, and business in the field of transport and logistics.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 28, 2025.

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As part of the third day of the V Congress of Young Scientists, researchers from the State University of Management attended the session "Games as a Tool for Engineering Creativity: From the Digital World to Real Technologies."

Among the session's speakers was Alexander Vedekhin, Deputy Director of the Department of State Youth Policy and Educational Activities at the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and Administrator of the federal project "Personnel for Space." He focused on the use of gamification in space engineering as a new and unique area of technological development.

During the dialogue, Vladimir Kutkov, a young scientist from the State University of Management, asked Alexander Yuryevich about the prospects for the emergence of new professions and specialties at the intersection of the gaming industry and space engineering, with the potential to transform the design and testing of aircraft, as technology advances. Alexander Vedekhin noted that the emergence of such interdisciplinary roles is a natural process. He emphasized that their emergence and development directly depend on the activity of young specialists and scientists, whose research and projects are already laying the foundation for future transformations in the space industry.

Other speakers at the session included Pavel Orekhov, Director of the Youth Community Development Division at the Agency for Strategic Initiatives for the Promotion of New Projects (ASI); Dmitry Smith, President of the Russian Cybersport Federation; Olga Zaborskaya, Head of the Department of Industries and Project Competencies at OANO SKOLKA; and Daniela Lebedeva, a resident of the SPIEF Academy. Alexey Fedoseyev, President of the Association of Participants of Technology Circles, moderated the session.

Participants discussed how game mechanics and virtual environments can transform approaches to design and solving complex engineering problems. Today, video games, simulators, and VR/AR are becoming platforms for developing engineering competencies, motivating young people to embrace technological creativity, and opening up new approaches to training future specialists. The speakers noted that the digital and physical worlds are becoming virtually inseparable, offering broad opportunities for research and the practical implementation of gamification tools in engineering projects and initiatives.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 28, 2025.

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On November 27, the National University of Management participated in the scientific seminar "Opening a New Chapter in Chinese-Russian Cooperation, Jointly Putting Forward a New Vision of Global Governance" at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Russia.

The meeting was opened by Zhang Hanhui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the People's Republic of China to the Russian Federation, and Andrey Denisov, First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs. Kirill Babaev, Director of the Institute of China and Modern Asia at the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Zhang Liqun, Chairman of the Union of Chinese Entrepreneurs in Russia, also addressed the seminar participants. Viktor Larin, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, also joined the meeting online from Vladivostok.

The first managerial representative at this prestigious forum was Fanis Sharipov, director of the Center for Socio-Economic and Political Research.

"Today, as we watch the world shake under the powerful waves of time at the junction of the old and new eras, the words of the Italian scholar Antonio Gramsci come to mind, perfectly summing up what is happening: 'The old world is dying, and the new one is struggling to be born.' In this context, the Global Governance Initiative proposal, which Chinese President Xi Jinping put forward at the SCO Plus meeting in Tianjin on September 1, 2025, has significant historical and practical significance. This year is special—the 80th anniversary of Victory Day and the 80th anniversary of the UN. The initiative quickly gained the support of more than 140 states and international organizations. Russian President Vladimir Putin was one of the first to respond and express his support," Fanis Falikhovich recalled.

The seminar was attended by the Plenipotentiary Minister of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China in the Russian Federation, representatives of the State Duma and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Russian-Chinese Friendship Society, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Academy of Military Sciences, Moscow State University, National Research University, the Higher School of Economics, the Russian State Social University, the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Free Economic Society, IMEMO RAS, the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Institute of US and Canadian Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 28, 2025.

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On November 28, 1915, a journalist and playwright was born in Petrograd, whose fate would be determined by the Great Patriotic War. His parents named the boy Kirill, but the world came to know him as Konstantin. Simonov chose this name not as a literary pseudonym, but because of his childhood lisp: he had trouble pronouncing the "r" and "l" sounds and was shy.

War as a vocation

Simonov's father, a major general, went missing in action during World War I. The future classic of Soviet literature was raised by his stepfather, Alexander Grigoryevich Ivanishev, a former colonel in the Tsarist army who became a tactics instructor after the Revolution. He raised Konstantin with strict discipline and taught him not so much to fight as to serve faithfully and truly—to the Fatherland, the people, and the woman he loved.

Simonov spent his youth at the machine tool: first as a lathe operator at an aircraft factory, then in the machine shops of Mezhrabpomfilm. In 1934, excerpts from his poem "Belomorkanal"—his first attempt at writing, naive and opportunistic—appeared in the collection "Review of Forces." Five years later, he became a member of the Writers' Union, author of poems about Suvorov and the Battle on the Ice, and then went as a war correspondent to Khalkhin Gol. It was there, in the dusty Mongolian steppes, that the poet realized that the battlefield was his element.

A look from the inside

Konstantin Mikhailovich was at the front from the first day of the war, armed with a notebook, a camera, and a machine gun. He wrote from the trenches, and the map of the fighting until victory became his personal geography: from Odessa to Berlin, from Murmansk to Bucharest, from Stalingrad to Prague. He traversed it as a participant, and everything he saw, heard, and felt he transformed into heartfelt lines. Simonov never towered over the soldiers or harangued them from the podium—he was one of them. Therefore, "Wait for Me" became more than just a poem, but a hymn of hope for millions. Soldiers copied it, kept it in their tunic pockets, read it before attacks and at the bedsides of the wounded. In simple words, he spoke of fear, pain, and the desire to live—and for this honesty, he was loved.

The poem even made its way behind the front lines, being found in the uniforms of German soldiers. In 1942, it was translated into German and published in the anti-fascist publication "Young Austria." In 1943, the Berlin newspaper "Zarya," published by the Wehrmacht's Eastern Propaganda Department, reprinted the poem with the author's name.

But Simonov is more than just a lyricist; he is a chronicler of an era. His trilogy, "The Living and the Dead," conveys not the pathos of victory, but the truth of defeat, chaos, fear, and the difficult acquisition of resilience. His plays, "Russian People" and "A Guy from Our Town," offer not idealization, but human dignity in hellish conditions. His diaries reveal an internal dialogue with himself, his conscience, and the era.

Peace was only a dream

Konstantin Mikhailovich's personal life was not a peaceful one. His love for the legendary film actress Valentina Serova was intense and passionate: "Wait for Me" was written for her, but, alas, their marriage fell apart. He married several times, adopted children, and always remained a noble and devoted father.

After the war, Konstantin Simonov, winner of six Stalin Prizes and a Hero of Socialist Labor, became editor-in-chief of Novy Mir, secretary of the Writers' Union, and a deputy of the Supreme Soviet. He was, as they say, part of the system, which required compromise. He had to participate in campaigns against "cosmopolitans" and reject Doctor Zhivago. But later, as he lay dying, he wrote "Through the Eyes of a Man of My Generation"—an honest confession about the controversial policies and mistakes of Joseph Stalin.

The writer passed away on August 28, 1979, requesting to be buried at Buinichi Field near Mogilev, where he had escaped encirclement during the summer of the first year of the war. On this field stands the Simonovsky Stone—a red granite boulder bearing the inscriptions: "Konstantin Simonov. 1915–1979" and "…He remembered this 1941 battlefield all his life and asked that his ashes be scattered here."

Today, on the 110th anniversary of his birth, we once again read "Wait for Me" as a symbol of love and hope. Because Konstantin Simonov doesn't teach us how to fight. He reminds us: a person is a person first and foremost. Even in war, and especially in war. And therefore, his lines are not a relic, but a mirror. A mirror for a hero.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: November 28, 2025.

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.