Category: 27-7

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Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov visited the second phase of the Novosibirsk State University campus.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

During a working visit to Novosibirsk, Minister of Education and Science Valery Falkov, together with Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrei Travnikov, inspected the second phase of construction and completed facilities. modern campus of Novosibirsk State University, which is being built as part of the national "Youth and Children" project. The second phase of construction includes three buildings with a total area of 40,000 square meters. They will be able to accommodate up to 3,000 students.

The lecture hall building, with an area of over 15,000 square meters, can accommodate approximately 1,700 students at a time. It also houses a research library with a collection of approximately 1 million books, a student project center, coworking spaces, and a conference hall. The building also features a glass atrium, which enhances natural light and gives the space a unique appearance. Additionally, an overhead walkway with stained-glass windows connects the lecture hall building with NSU's existing academic building for convenient movement. The new building opened in August 2025, and classes began there in September.

The second phase of the campus also includes two facilities, the construction of which is planned for completion in 2026. This is an educational and scientific center Institute of Medicine and Medical TechnologiesIt will accommodate students in the medical, pharmaceutical, and psychological fields, including the new programs of Medical Cybernetics and Industrial Pharmacy. It will house laboratories for molecular pharmacology, molecular virology, oncology, and other fields, as well as the largest simulation center in Siberia for practicing the practical skills of future doctors. The second facility will be a research center with the capacity to accommodate up to 180 researchers. The center's areas of expertise include biotechnology and biomedical research, artificial intelligence and big data processing, and space and special instrumentation.

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 meeting with representatives of Geoservice was held at St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On December 12, a meeting between students at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering and representatives of Geoservice LLC, a leading company in land management, cadastral surveying, and urban planning, took place.

Geoservice provides a full range of services in land management and cadastral activities, engineering surveys, urban planning, assessment and legal support, and geoinformation support for projects. At the meeting, students were given a detailed overview of the company's structure, the activities of its specialized departments, and actual projects implemented under government contracts.

Particular attention was given to the example of a government contract for the construction of an access road to the Kudrovo transport hub and the reconstruction of a traffic interchange on the R-21 Kola highway. Geoservice representatives clearly demonstrated the stages of project implementation, from preparatory work and adjustments to land use planning documentation to support land acquisition procedures, the establishment of easements, and cadastral surveys.

The presentation also covered the company's modern engineering survey methods, including aerial photography using unmanned aerial vehicles, mobile and airborne laser scanning, panoramic photography, and the creation of orthophotomaps and topographic maps. Requirements for the quality of geodata and its updating were also discussed, as was the use of geoinformation systems when working with large volumes of spatial information.

Geoservice is a reliable partner of SPbGASU and a key employer for students and graduates of the university in recent years. Such meetings allow students to better understand the specifics of their future profession, become familiar with real-life production challenges and employer requirements, and chart their professional development paths.

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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Youth Policy Without Borders: A Report on the Year of Partnership

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The year 2025 marked a significant period of active work by Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University to strengthen ties with leading Slavic universities. Large-scale events were held, allowing the universities to exchange experiences, develop common approaches, and lay the foundation for a long-term partnership.

First visit: introduction and arrangements

One of the first significant events was the arrival of delegations from the Belarusian-Russian University (BRU) and the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University (KRSU) to SPbPU.

Visit program:

Tours of the university campus and the SPbPU History Museum; a meeting with Maxim Pasholikov, Vice-Rector for Information, Youth Policy, and Security, and Ivan Khlamov, Head of the Youth Policy Department; a visit to the SPbPU Hydrotower, and an introduction to the work of the Youth Trajectory Center and the Psychological Support Center;

Negotiations with representatives of the SPbPU Student Trade Union were held in St. Petersburg. These negotiations resulted in the signing of an agreement between the SPbPU Trade Union and the BRU Trade Union.

In addition, the guests took part in the Family Victory Day festival, took a tour of the historic center of St. Petersburg, and visited the Great Country – Great Victory 1941–1945 exhibition.

Second visit: strategic planning

During the KRSU delegation's return visit, a two-part strategic session was held: "SPbPU as a Flagship University"—a discussion of the university's role in the education system; and "The KRSU Student Community Model"—an exchange of experiences in organizing student self-government.

Participants developed a common understanding of working with student associations, identified their key ambitions, and developed a plan for joint work for 2025–2026.

A key milestone in the development of youth policy at KRU was students' participation in the 33rd All-Russian "Russian Student Spring" festival of higher education institutions, held in Tatarstan. The festival was timed to coincide with the Year of Defender of the Fatherland in Russia. The event was held under the slogan "Spring of Victory."

Another significant event was the participation of KRSU faculty in the educational program "Conductors of Meaning. The DNA of Russia" hosted by the Saint Petersburg State University of Aerospace Instrumentation. The program is being implemented by the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education jointly with the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh) with the support of the "DNA of Russia" project. The program's primary goal is to build a sustainable professional community of educators and develop a unified value platform for youth policy and educational work at universities across the country.

Slavic Summit: Sharing Best Practices

The key event of the year was the Slavic Summit, held at SPbPU. It was attended by the heads of youth policy departments from all partner universities: the Belarusian-Russian University, the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, the Russian-Tajik Slavic University, and the Russian-Armenian University.

A workshop of practices, supervised by Vladimir Migunov, administrator of the SPbPU Center for Youth Trajectories, featured universities presenting their best projects in the areas of "Media," "Adaptation," "Creativity," and "Sports." Ivan Khlamov presented a report on the structure of SPbPU youth policy; and Maxim Susorov, Chairman of the SPbPU Students' Union, presented a presentation on the principles of student self-government at the Polytechnic University.

Participants not only shared their experiences but also selected the most promising practices for further implementation and identified opportunities for future partnerships. They identified well-developed sports programs at all universities, evaluated promising projects, and discussed the development of student government bodies. Representatives of the Slavic universities agreed on joint extracurricular projects.

Fourth visit: transfer of experience

The year concluded with a visit by a delegation from SPbPU's Youth Policy Department to RAU. Polytechnic University specialists held a series of meetings dedicated to the development of youth policy and developed initial project solutions for strengthening RAU's student communities, drawing on our university's successful experience.

The year of cooperation proved fruitful: strong contacts were established between the universities, best practices in youth policy were exchanged, partnership agreements were signed, and plans for joint work for the coming years were developed.

These achievements lay the foundation for further development of international cooperation and the creation of a unified youth policy space among Slavic universities. New projects, initiatives, and opportunities for students and staff at partner universities lie ahead.

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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December 22, 2025: "Who are you, children of the night?": The Zapovednoye Posledstvo Foundation, with the support of Severstal, published a book about bats in the Vologda region's protected nature.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Preserved Embassy Foundation

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Ksenia Gasparyan, Development Director of the Nature Embassy Foundation, spoke at the second meeting of Severstal's Biodiversity Expert Council, where a new popular science book, "Who Are You, Children of the Night?" was presented. The book, dedicated to the bats of the Vologda Region, was published by the Nature Embassy Foundation with organizational and financial support from Severstal as part of its comprehensive biodiversity conservation program.

Severstal's Expert Council was created to independently assess environmental risks and shape the environmental agenda; its December meeting was devoted to summing up the year's results. In 2025, specialists conducted extensive research on company grounds, focusing on birds, invasive plants, landscaping, and other aspects of biodiversity at industrial sites. And also—bats!

The presentation of the book about bats, "Who Are You, Children of the Night?", was one of the key and most striking moments of the meeting. No boring presentations were offered; instead, a creative, immersive format was used. Participants entered the room in complete darkness with headlamps on, symbolically recreating the conditions of fieldwork for researchers. On the screen, bats "came to life" and flew, using AI technology.

"The scientists who spoke about their work told a story about how difficult it was for them," Ksenia Gasparyan commented. "The researchers' biorhythms were disrupted: they had to study birds during the day, and bats at night. They even mentioned that a minor accident occurred when the inspector probably fell asleep at the wheel from fatigue."

The book's authors are Oleg Shapkin, a postgraduate student at the Zoological Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Miroslav Babushkin, Deputy Director for Science at the Darwin Nature Reserve. The book's design and publication were supported by the Zapovednoye Polusstvo Foundation, with financial support from Severstal. The editor was Ekaterina Pilyutina, an environmental educator, a true conservationist, a professional, and a friend of the foundation.

As Ksenia Gasparyan emphasized, the goal of the publication was not only to educate the general public about ecology but also to "immerse and shape a whole generation of new researchers." "Who Are You, Children of the Night?" is based on six years of research (2018-2024), during which over a thousand individuals of eight bat species were studied. However, this isn't a thick, jargon-laden tome that only scientists specializing in bats (incidentally, such scientists are called chiropterologists) will be interested in. Rather, it's a truly engaging, popular science book that every biology-loving schoolchild will appreciate! What makes this publication special is that serious scientific research is adapted and presented in a language that's understandable and engaging for a young audience.

The authors dedicated the publication to the mother of one of the authors, Almira Babushkina, a biology teacher who introduced him and dozens of other children to the world of science.

Bats (Chiroptera) are one of the least studied mammal groups, yet they are critically important to ecosystems. They effectively regulate insect populations, including many agricultural and forestry pests, as well as mosquitoes. Some species are involved in plant pollination. In Russia, many bat species have protected status and are listed in regional and federal Red Data Books. Their secretive nocturnal lifestyle and vulnerability to habitat changes (cutting of hollow trees, disturbance in caves) make their conservation particularly pressing.

Following the meeting, Severstal's Expert Council developed plans for the next year. Priorities include creating a monitoring system for invasive plant species, continuing to observe indicator species, and conducting in-depth studies of rare and secretive birds. A highlight of 2026 is expected to be Russia's first environmental and educational festival, "SKOPIN FEST."

The Nature Conservation Embassy Foundation will continue to provide expert support for the company's environmental initiatives. "We recommend that large city-forming companies, such as Severstal, not only develop environmental education in general in the cities where they operate, but also encourage the emergence of new young researchers by helping them with career guidance in environmental and scientific fields," Ksenia Gasparyan concluded.

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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Morris, Galle, and gifts from Nicholas II: With the support of Rosneft, the Hermitage opened the first halls of the new exhibition "Art of the Art Nouveau"

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Source: Rosneft – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Photo by the State Hermitage Museum Press Service. Photographer A. Bronnikov.

With the support of Rosneft, the first two halls of the new permanent exhibition "Art of the Art Nouveau Era" have opened in the General Staff Building of the State Hermitage Museum. They are dedicated to artists from the second half of the 1880s to the late 1890s.

The exhibition centers on the most striking pieces in the Hermitage collection—objects created by masters of leading European and Russian schools at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries: from ceramics and jewelry to furniture and tapestries. The curators paid special attention to the unique nature of the artistic glass represented in the museum's collection.

Photo by the State Hermitage Museum Press Service. Photographer A. Bronnikov.

The first two halls feature glass, porcelain, and majolica pieces by Émile Galle and his contemporaries. These are complemented by jewelry created in Russia, as well as in France, Belgium, Austria, and other European countries. Among the most significant exhibits are William Morris's tapestry "Adoration of the Magi," a table with an inlaid top, "Flora of Lorraine," by Émile Galle, and a desk by the Belgian painter, graphic artist, architect, and Art Nouveau theorist Henri van de Velde, acquired specifically for the General Staff building exhibition. The exhibition also marks the first public viewing of works by ceramic designer William Moorcroft.

Photo by the State Hermitage Museum Press Service. Photographer A. Bronnikov.

Visitors to the exhibition will also see gifts received by Emperor Nicholas II and Empress Alexandra Feodorovna in 1896 during their official visit to France. Among them are two glass vases by Émile Gallé, mounted in silver by the leading Parisian jeweler Bapst & Falise, the "Nîmes Vase" created at the renowned Sèvres porcelain manufactory, and a decorative glass mask by the sculptor Henri Cros. All of these objects are considered among the finest examples of Art Nouveau art.

In a few years, the new exhibition will occupy five halls. They will open in stages and explore the creative explorations of the 19th century and the development of Art Nouveau in the early 20th century.

Reference:

Rosneft actively participates in significant events and phenomena in Russian cultural life. With the Company's support, the State Hermitage Museum opened a renovated exhibition, "The Culture and Art of China," in 2024, covering periods from antiquity to the 20th century. The museum also houses a permanent exhibition, "The Ancient Colonization of the Northern Black Sea Region." Rosneft also supported exhibitions at the Hermitage dedicated to the phenomenon of Raphael and the history of Egyptology in Russia.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 22, 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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The Supervisory Board of Novosibirsk State University supported the appointment of Deputy Minister of Education and Science Dmitry Pyshny as the university's rector.

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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Today, a meeting of the Novosibirsk State University Supervisory Board was held, attended by Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education Valery Falkov and Novosibirsk Region Governor Andrey Travnikov. The Supervisory Board's agenda included one item: the consideration of candidates for the position of Rector of NSU. Two candidates were considered: Deputy Director of the Institute of Thermophysics of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Oleg Sharypov, nominated by the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Pyshny, nominated by Valery Falkov.

"The rector of Novosibirsk State University must be well-versed in Novosibirsk's scientific and educational characteristics and understand how the two cultures—academic and university—can mutually reinforce each other. Furthermore, he or she must be aware of the federal agenda. Dmitry Vladimirovich Pyshny has experience as the director of an academic institute and as Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education. He oversaw the training of highly qualified personnel and has a proven track record in the federal scientific and technical program for the development of genetic technologies. Dmitry Vladimirovich has a unique understanding of both the university and research institutes," commented Valery Falkov.

Governor Andrei Travnikov noted that the supervisory board unanimously supported the candidacy of Dmitry Vladimirovich Pyshny:

"His candidacy was considered a priority during the consultation phase, and I want to thank Valery Nikolaevich Falkov for proposing Dmitry Pyshny's election. In essence, the Ministry has approved the return of one of the federal-level deputy heads to Novosibirsk. This is important for us. Firstly, Dmitry Vladimirovich himself, given his competencies, is a very worthy candidate, and secondly, this is confirmation of the importance of Novosibirsk State University at the federal level. A person with such experience has the opportunity to lead our university today and be of service not only to the Novosibirsk Region but to our entire country."

Mikhail Petrovich Fedoruk, who successfully led the university for over 10 years, is retiring upon reaching the age limit. The head of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science thanked him for his work and expressed hope that he will continue to help the university develop.

Dmitry Nikolaevich Pyshny graduated from the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Novosibirsk State University in 1992 and worked at the Institute of Chemical Biology and Fundamental Medicine of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, where he rose from junior researcher to director. He defended his PhD dissertation in 1998 and his doctoral dissertation in 2011. In November 2022, he was appointed Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

"As an NSU graduate, I feel a tremendous responsibility to take the helm of such a significant university for the country. I hope that the experience the federal government has invested in me will accelerate the university's development. We will need to strengthen the integration between academic institutions and NSU, as well as strive to retain as many young people as possible in science, and develop both higher education and academic research. I hope we will succeed," said Dmitry Pyshny.

Novosibirsk State University is among the top five universities in the country, according to the Interfax group. It has over 8,700 students, including 1,700 international students from 60 countries. Eighty percent of the university's more than 2,800 faculty members are employees of research institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences. NSU participates in all major federal development programs, including "Priority 2030" and "Advanced Engineering Schools."

Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Education and Science; Inessa Bakhareva, Press Service of NSU

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On December 22, 2025, Gazprom-Media Holding volunteers created a New Year's mood in Moscow hospices.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Gazprom – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Gazprom-Media Holding volunteers helped create a New Year's atmosphere in Moscow hospices, as well as the Special Childhood Center for Curative Pedagogy, by organizing and holding a winter charity fair.

Staff from NTV, GPM Reklama, Match TV, GPM KIT, and RUTUBE decorated their windows with New Year's scenes. Hospitals were filled with snow-covered forests, gnomes, fairytale castles, cheerful snowmen and Christmas trees, toys, and snowflakes, helping to create a festive and welcoming atmosphere for patients.

For the fourth year in a row, the Holding's volunteers have been helping Moscow hospices through the PRO_Participation program, which aims to provide support and attention to those who need it most.

Also, in anticipation of the New Year, Gazprom Media Holding volunteers created creative photo zones and decorated workshop spaces at the charity winter fair, traditionally held by the Special Childhood Therapeutic Pedagogics Center. Its goal is to give special artisans the opportunity to showcase their work and feel valued and connected to society.

"The fair is always a gathering of like-minded people. Guests are immersed in a joyful and festive atmosphere, feeling part of a larger community. And whether you attend every year or have missed it a few times, you immediately feel like you've come to visit old friends."

Nikolay Morzhin, Director of the Center for Curative Pedagogics "Special Childhood"

Collaboration with the Center for Social and Cultural Development is developing within the framework of the Holding's "PRO_Support" program—the company's systematic work aimed at developing corporate volunteering, social integration, and assistance to the most vulnerable segments of the population.

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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China's Foreign Ministry: China has opposed the visit of Japanese lawmakers to Taiwan.

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Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

BEIJING, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) — China has firmly opposed the visit of some Japanese parliament members to the Chinese region of Taiwan and made serious representations to the Japanese side, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said on Monday.

At a regular departmental press conference, Lin Jian said Japan's actions violate the spirit of the four political documents signed between China and Japan, as well as Japan's own pledge and the one-China principle.

"We urge Japan to reflect deeply, correct its mistakes and refrain from interfering in China's internal affairs," the Chinese diplomat said. -0-

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China is moving forward with the approval of a draft environmental code /detailed version-1/

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Beijing, December 22 (Xinhua) — Legislative work on China's draft environmental code is moving forward. On Monday, the revised draft code was submitted for third reading at the current session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

The revised draft improves provisions regarding the organization and management of burning straw, fallen leaves, etc., and introduces regulatory measures to address the difficult problems of dumping and transporting solid waste between various provincial-level administrative units in the country.

The draft clarifies that in emergency situations where wild animals pose a threat to personal safety, measures taken that result in harm to animals do not entail legal liability.

In addition, the revised draft includes corresponding amendments to the procedural order for compensation for environmental damage. -0-

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The Five-Year Plan laid a solid foundation for social stability and long-term development in China.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

This year marks the completion of the 14th Five-Year Program.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China created the world's largest education, social security, and healthcare systems. The results of China's economic development and technological progress are truly translating into a sense of satisfaction and well-being among its people.

The high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai takes just four hours. Haider al-Rubei, Chairman of the Iraqi-Chinese Friendship Society, shared his impressions of a recent trip to China with journalists: "The trip was very pleasant; I saw China's beautiful landscapes, from cities to villages. I discovered that China's economic development and the improvement of people's lives complement each other. Large-scale infrastructure construction has transformed people's daily lives, allowing them to truly enjoy the benefits of development."

He also noted that the average life expectancy in China has reached 79 years, an achievement driven by the improvement of China's public health system, better medical services, and comprehensive socio-economic development.

"Since 2016, I've been visiting China twice a year and have witnessed its changes and development over the past 10 years," said French international affairs expert Stéphane Parisot. He was particularly impressed by his visit to Chengdu in Sichuan Province. "Chengdu is rapidly developing economically and is renowned for its cuisine and culture. It is becoming an important hub for tourism and communications in China and around the world."

He believes that during the 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's urban development has achieved great success, especially in improving the environment and enhancing the level of medical care, and public security remains at a high level.

Marcos Pires, Director of the Institute of Economics and International Studies at the University of São Paulo (Brazil), noted that China's investments and reforms in education and healthcare have increased access to education, expanded the healthcare system, and expanded social security coverage, particularly in the area of elderly care. All of this has significantly improved the population's quality of life and, in his words, "laid a solid foundation for social stability and long-term development."

"Chinese high-speed trains have achieved impressive success," said Anongdet Phetkaisong, Deputy General Manager of Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. He noted that China's high-speed rail network not only improves transport efficiency but also accelerates urbanization, facilitating resource mobility and economic development. "China's logistics industry is highly developed, stimulating the development of e-commerce and other industries," he added, noting that China's experience in developing transport infrastructure serves as a model for other countries.

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.