Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
A delegation from Cuba's leading technical university, the Technological University of Havana "José Antonio Echeverría" (CUJAE), led by Rector Marta Dunia Delgado Dapena, paid an official visit to Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.
The Cuban guests met with SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy, Vice-Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev, Director of the Institute of Energy Viktor Barskov, and Director of the Civil Engineering Institute Marina Petrochenko. They discussed the development of a strategic partnership between the universities.
"Cuba isn't just a friendly country for Russia; it's an incredibly bright image we all imbibed in our youth. Cuba is vibrant, creative, and youthful, with unique energy and potential. I'm confident that our countries will soon embark on a new round of joint activities, and I'm proud that Polytechnic University, as always, is at the forefront of this work!" Andrey Rudskoy greeted his colleagues from Havana.
The delegation visited the Institute of Civil Engineering and the Institute of Power Engineering. They were met at the Institute by Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Institute; Maxim Terekh, Deputy Director for Academic and Methodological Work; Mikhail Romanov, Person in Charge of International Affairs; Vyacheslav Burlov, Professor of the Higher School of Technosphere Safety; Maxim Polyukhnovich, Associate Professor of the Higher School of Technical and Biological Safety; Yulia Logvinova, Senior Lecturer; and Yegor Melekhin, Assistant Professor of the Higher School of Industrial, Civil, and Road Construction. Representatives of SPbPU's international services also participated in the event: Ekaterina Belyaevskaya, Head of the Department of International Interuniversity Cooperation; Taisiya Kletskina, Specialist; and Leoandris Martinez Serrano, a graduate student of the Higher School of Cyber-Physical Systems Management and a Cuban citizen studying at the Polytechnic University.
Colleagues from CUJAE learned about the "MetaCampus Polytech" scientific and educational project being implemented at the institute. Egor Melekhin presented the concept of a digital twin of the university campus, developed by ISI students and faculty, and demonstrated the functionality of the digital platform that provides comprehensive management of the university's property assets—from classroom reservations and space occupancy analysis to space functional analysis. Marina Petrochenko discussed the institute's organizational structure, key scientific and educational areas, and the history and prospects of collaboration between ISI and CUJAE.
The discussion focused on the implementation of a joint international educational project on digital modeling of cultural heritage sites in Russia and Cuba, aimed at their digitalization, preservation, and restoration using modern BIM technologies. Special attention was given to the joint research project "Development of a Decision-Making Model for Optimal Operation of an Electric Power System Under Extreme Weather Events," led by Professor Vyacheslav Burlov with the participation of Maxim Polyukhovich, Yulia Logvinova, and colleagues from CUJAE.
The visit of the Havana Technological University delegation to the Civil Engineering Institute marked an important milestone in the development of our strategic partnership. The implementation of joint projects will facilitate not only academic exchange but also the creation of innovative solutions in sustainable development and digitalization of the construction industry. We are confident that the implementation of these initiatives will significantly contribute to the training of a new generation of engineering professionals and strengthen scientific and technical cooperation between Russia and Cuba, noted Marina Petrochenko.
The guests' attention was particularly drawn to the laboratories of the Institute of Energy, as energy security and the stable operation of power grids are more important than ever for Cuba, which has recently been hit by a series of natural disasters and man-made accidents. Viktor Barskov demonstrated the entire educational trajectory of students at the Institute of Energy—from studying power grids, turbines, and power devices on mock-ups and models to digital design and hands-on equipment handling. The research work of master's and doctoral students is carried out in collaboration with industry and qualified clients—either at enterprises or at SPbPU, using equipment provided by industrial partners. The Rector of CUJAE expressed interest in the experience of interacting with industrial partners and creating specialized laboratories on campus. Viktor Barskov received an invitation to visit CUJAE in February 2026 to participate in a major scientific and technological congress, where meetings with representatives of Cuban industry will be provided.
Summing up the talks, Dmitry Arsenyev, SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs, noted, "This visit is a strategic step toward strengthening our alliance with one of Cuba's key universities. We already have a solid foundation in the form of successful joint projects in digital modeling of cultural heritage sites and in the energy sector. Our goal now is to take our cooperation to a new level by actively engaging our students and researchers in joint activities, ensuring high-quality training for both Cuba and Russia."
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.
