Category: Russian Universities

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Novosibirsk State University held its traditional Open Day on November 2, attracting a record-breaking number of participants for the fall event—over 2,000 schoolchildren and their parents. Prospective students learned about the program offerings, admission requirements, and the university atmosphere. The Open Day was held for the first time in the new classroom building, which opened on September 1, 2025.

In his opening address, NSU Rector Mikhail Fedoruk discussed the university's history, its development, and the areas of specialization that are currently in high demand. He specifically noted the growing interest among applicants in the natural sciences and engineering. This is evidenced by the results of the 2025 admissions campaign, where the top seven areas with the most significant growth in applications included "Informatics and Computer Engineering," "Mathematics and Mechanics," "Mathematics and Computer Science," "Applied Mathematics and Physics," "Physics," "General Medicine," and "Geology." The rector also highlighted the development of the university's infrastructure, the construction of a modern campus, and the opening of new buildings, which will expand NSU's educational and research capabilities.

During the Open Day, guests had the opportunity to visit thematic areas of NSU faculties and institutes, where students and faculty demonstrated in an interactive and live format what can be learned at NSU.

A guest of the event, tenth-grader Elizaveta Zh., shared her impressions:

"I really like this university. I'd like to enroll here, but I haven't decided on a major or exams yet. This is my first time here, and I'm impressed by the scale of the university—it's very large. I think there will be many opportunities for me if I get in. I've discovered a new area—the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics and the Department of Oil and Gas Fields."

At the program areas, representatives from NSU faculties and institutes provided detailed information on the admissions requirements for each specific program and answered applicants' questions.

Yulia Ilyushchenko, a representative of the Fundamental and Applied Linguistics department at the NSU Humanities Institute, noted:

We also have a threshold for admission to fee-paying programs—this year, you had to score more than 210 points to be admitted. There are several types of quotas for state-funded places. Please note that we only require specialized mathematics.

NSU hosts a variety of events to help schoolchildren prepare for university admission, ranging from Unified State Exam (USE) preparation courses to annual schools organized by faculties and institutes. Completion of these schools offers the opportunity to earn additional credits for university admission.

Natalia Simonova, Head of the Department of Theory and History of Journalism, discussed additional programs for high school students that can help increase their chances of successful admission to a journalism program:

For those interested in our program, we offer a "Young Journalist School" for students in grades 8–11, lasting from one to four years. It includes preparation for a creative competition specifically for 11th-graders—two classes every two weeks. At the school, students create stories, magazines, longreads, and other projects, exploring various forms of journalistic work. This format is suitable for career guidance and portfolio preparation, which can then be presented at the creative competition.

We are confident that NSU's Open Day will become the beginning of many schoolchildren's professional journeys, where the first step is choosing their field and where they want to study. NSU is open to talented and inquisitive people—those who are ready to seek, explore, and create the future today.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Leonid meteor shower is expected to peak on November 17. This stream, with a radiant in the constellation Leo, typically produces 10-15 meteors per hour annually. No increased activity is predicted for this year. The shower's radiant rises high in the sky in the second half of the night and produces fast meteors.

Significant outbursts of the Leonid meteor shower, up to hundreds or even thousands of meteors per hour (storm level), are expected in the 2030s, associated with the return of the parent comet 55P/Swift-Tuttle in 2031. The shower is expected to be especially active in 2033, 2034 (a meteor storm is possible), 2035, and 2037.

Another meteor shower that can be observed throughout the night in November is the Taurids. It consists of two branches—a southern and a northern one. This is a relatively inactive shower, with meteors being quite slow. However, it has a very long activity period—from mid-September to the end of November, with no distinct peak. Peak activity, about 5-10 meteors per hour, is observed during October and the first half of November. The shower also occasionally produces bursts of fireball activity. This year, the fireball cloud is expected to return for about a week around November 3rd. This is attributed to the Earth passing through a cloud of larger particles within the shower.

In November, two other weak meteor showers can be observed: the Alpha Monocerotids and the November Orionids. The Alpha Monocerotids have a radiant in the constellation Monoceros, while the November Orionids have a radiant on the border of the constellations Orion, Taurus, and Gemini. The Alpha Monocerotids peak on November 21st, at up to 5 meteors per hour, although historically, this shower has produced brief bursts of up to 420 meteors per hour in 1995 and up to 120 meteors per hour in 2019. The next peak in activity is expected in 2043. This shower is visible mainly in the second half of the night.

The November Orionids have a peak activity of about 3 meteors per hour, and the peak itself is not pronounced; it occurs around November 28, the radiant culminates around 2 a.m. and is quite visible for most of the night.

Another interesting event worth noting is the expected occultation of the Pleiades by the Moon on November 6th. Unlike the September event, this will occur in the evening, at a slightly lower but still respectable altitude above the horizon, although during a fuller phase of the Moon.

Here are the coverage parameters of the brightest stars of the Pleiades for Novosibirsk:

Electra. Starts at 21:00:44, altitude 27°, ends at 21:48:41, altitude 34°.

Merope. Start: 21:24:42, altitude 30°, end: 22:14:21, altitude 37°.

Alcyone. Starts at 21:52:36, altitude 34°, ends at 22:48:16, altitude 42°.

Atlas. Start: 22:46:44, altitude 41°, end: 23:04:31, altitude 44°.

The rather bright comet C/2025 K1 ATLAS will also be visible again. This comet is approximately 9th or 10th magnitude, perhaps even 1-2 magnitudes brighter. The first photos after perihelion show that it has developed a rather long tail. It can be seen in amateur telescopes low above the horizon in the mornings from late October to early November. Then, after the lunar passage, when the comet can be observed without light pollution, from mid- to late November (and especially in the third ten-day period of November), it will be visible high in the sky for most of the night. However, since its culmination time will be in the second half of the night, it will be more visible during this period.

The Leonids should be observed in the second half of the night, from about 1-2 AM until the morning, with peak activity occurring on the night of November 17-18. It's best to observe from outside the city, away from light sources. The same applies to other meteor showers. Comet C/2025 K1 ATLAS will also be visible in the morning.

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The "Management of the Future" conference was held October 23-25 in St. Petersburg, organized by the Graduate School of Management at St. Petersburg State University. This year, 2,300 applications were received, and after a multi-stage selection process, 115 talented students and graduates from across the country participated. NSU was represented by students from the Faculty of Economics (EF)—Alina Churkina, Elizaveta Kirgizova, Daria Kostyuk, Anna Denisova, and Denis Lipinsky.

The selection process consisted of three stages. The first involved completing a questionnaire and screening resumes, and the second involved professional testing with questions on probability theory, logic, mathematics, and economics. The final stage was a video interview, which included six questions assessing motivation, open-mindedness, and adaptability to a rapidly changing environment. Participants were given one minute to comprehend each question and two minutes to answer, after which the system automatically ended the recording.

Throughout the three days of the conference, students interacted with representatives of leading Russian companies, attended lectures, and participated in interactive master classes. One of the "Management of the Future" activities was management debates. Participants were presented with three cases, each with two roles. Two weeks before the conference, students were required to form teams to solve the problems. Elizaveta Kirgizova's team reached the semifinals, and the team including Anna Denisova won the debates and won a unique opportunity to attend a dinner with VTB representatives.

"The case topics varied. The first case asked us to choose a strategy for replacing an outdated IT system: a phased modernization of the existing platform versus a complete replacement with a new one. The second case challenged us to find a balance between security and customer experience—choosing between a strict verification system with maximum security and "invisible" protection that wouldn't interfere with customers. The third case challenged us to determine a strategy for attracting an 18-25-year-old audience: focusing on game mechanics and engagement or on real financial benefits. The management debates were the most engaging format, in my opinion. They allowed us not only to delve into solving real business cases but also to put strategic thinking and argumentation skills into practice. I'm very proud that our team managed to win," shared Anna Denisova, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Economics and Management at NSU.

NSU students noted that the conference program included useful lectures given by speakers from various fields—from retail and event marketing to consulting and manufacturing. Many presentations focused on regional development and artificial intelligence. Particularly valuable was the fact that the lectures were delivered by practitioners who shared real-life case studies.

Daria Kostyuk, 4th year student of the Faculty of Economics at NSU:

"I especially enjoyed the lecture by ArtLife, the concert creators, as I'm developing my own career in the events industry. I was interested in listening to someone with similar life experiences and interests, so I could further develop my career."

Elizaveta Kirgizova, first-year master's student at the Faculty of Economics and Management of NSU:

"In my opinion, the most useful lecture was about developing five qualities that are beneficial for a career. Among these qualities, the speakers named a sense of belonging and commitment to the company, charisma, righteous fanaticism, strong communication skills, and perseverance."

Alina Churkina, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Economics and Management of NSU:

The trip to "Management of the Future" turned out to be more than just a conference. It was an opportunity to see modern management from the inside—through real-life cases, lively discussions, and the experiences of those already shaping management practice today.

Conferences like these offer more than just lectures; they also offer an opportunity to meet interesting people with similar interests from all over the country and gain new ideas.

Daria Kostyuk:

"What I remember most were the people—the conference participants. So many people with completely unique life stories, with countless achievements in various fields. Conversations with each of them were captivating and engaging in their own way, as we all have busy lives."

Elizaveta Kirgizova:

"The conference trip was inspiring for me; I gained a lot of insights and made many new connections. Connecting with and becoming part of such a professional and vibrant community was an interesting and rewarding experience!"

Alina Churkina:

— The participants were a special highlight. 115 people from different cities, with varying backgrounds, but equally ambitious and engaged. It's an environment where you can't just "go with the flow"—the pace of communication and the level of discussion constantly push you to think faster, broader, and deeper.

Denis Lipinsky, 3rd year student at the Faculty of Economics at NSU:

"During the conference, I managed to exchange contacts with several dozen of the most talented people, including a theoretical physicist and a chemical engineer. It was very interesting to meet people from a wide range of universities across the country—to see how they live their lives, what their scientific and personal interests are, and how different universities are developing collaboration strategies. And, of course, the opportunity to establish direct contact with HR directors or leaders of large teams at companies that are leaders in their fields was also very valuable!"

The students also noted the special atmosphere of the city and the location where the conference was held.

Alina Churkina:

"The venue—Mikhailovskaya Dacha, the former imperial residence—made a particularly strong impression. The space itself is symbolic: the historic architecture and the modern campus of GSOM SPbU create a sense of a dialogue between times—past, present, and future. In such a setting, the conversation about development and leadership is especially poignant. And, of course, St. Petersburg. A city whose very environment—the autumnal atmosphere, the leisurely pace—inspires thoughtfulness."

Moreover, such events are an opportunity to understand how to develop further, what knowledge and skills to acquire in order to achieve more in your professional activities.

Alina Churkina:

"I came back feeling like I'd experienced a professional 'renewal' in these few days. Not in the sense of inspiration—there was just the right amount of that—but in the sense of clarity: it became clearer which skills are truly important, how quickly the context changes, and how important it is to learn not to adapt, but to be proactive!"

Material prepared by: Varvara Frolkina, NSU press service

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.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The "Science on a Visit" project won the "Practices of Personal Philanthropy and Altruism" competition. Of 259 applications, 56 projects from 29 regions were selected. "Science on a Visit" by Anna Shuklina, a second-year master's student at the Physics Department of Novosibirsk State University, was the only project from the Novosibirsk Region to receive support.

"Practices of Personal Philanthropy and Altruism" is a competition that gives members of the Potanin Foundation community—winners of all programs in all years—the opportunity to implement a personal, socially significant initiative. Anna previously participated in the Potanin Foundation's "Scholarship Competition" and received support to achieve her goals.

"At the Belomorskie Petroglyphs Foundation School, other Potanin fellows and I discussed grant opportunities at length, including the Foundation's "Practices of Personal Philanthropy and Altruism" grant competition. I was inspired by Arina Bogomozova's project: she gave lectures to cancer patients. I wondered how I could help them? Bring my lessons to the children? There are hospital clowns, but no hospital physicists. It turned out that Novosibirsk lacks an education system for children undergoing long-term hospital treatment. Children are completely excluded from education! This is how the "Science on a Visit" project was born, which has already been supported by Larisa Lisovskaya, head of the children's program at the Novosibirsk regional branch of the All-Russian Public Organization for Patient Support "Zdravstvuy!", and Novosibirsk State University," Anna shared.

"Science on a Visit" offers a new format for leisure and education for children in rehabilitation centers and hospitals. A team of specially trained volunteers from natural science departments will conduct regular interactive classes and engaging experiments in children's hospitals, demonstrating the beauty and accessibility of science. This is also a great opportunity for children of all ages to interact with young scientists and perhaps choose science as their primary career. The project plans to develop and distribute teaching aids: a series of educational videos, recommendations for organizing interactive classes, and educational games.

"My years studying at the NSU Physics Department taught me to value talented teachers. Once I started teaching, I realized what a tremendous amount of work it is, and oftentimes, volunteer work and altruism. Since March 2024, I've been a member of the department's demonstration team, "FFokusniki": at events of various levels, we, physicist volunteers, demonstrate experiments to people of all ages, from kindergarten and schoolchildren to the elderly. I've gained experience explaining physical phenomena to children, giving public speeches, and conducting master classes. A diploma with honors from the Physics Department, experience as a senior lab assistant at the Institute of Nuclear Physics SB RAS, a career in science, numerous conference presentations, competition wins, and knowledge of English and Chinese—all of this helps me create unique and engaging lessons," Anna said.

For Anna, winning the "Personal Philanthropy and Altruism Practices" competition is an opportunity to implement personal social initiatives, find and attract like-minded people, and contribute to the development of the volunteer movement.

Material prepared by: Varvara Frolkina, NSU press service

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.