NSU biology students will take part in the final of the international SynBio Challenge competition in China for the first time

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The final of the international SynBio Challenge competition will be held in Shenzhen (Guangdong Province, China) on August 6. The competition is organized by the Shenzhen University of High Technology. A total of 1,800 students registered to participate in the competition, of which about 1,000 participants from six countries of the world – China, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia – made it to the final. Our country is represented at these competitions by only two teams – from the Biological Faculty of Moscow State University and Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) of NSURussian teams are taking part in the competition for the first time.

The GeneMeow team included six students of the NSU Natural Sciences Department who completed their 3rd year in Biology: Valeria Romanova, Ekaterina Bolotova, Nail Bikeev, Nikita Ivanov, Ulyana Borovikova and Dmitry Kurbatsky. GeneMeow was formed from two strong teams that had previously participated in the Biotournament, won prizes in its regional stage and received a second-degree diploma at the final in 2024. Participation in the Biotournament allowed them to gain experience in solving interdisciplinary problems in biology, publicly defending ideas to experts and project work. The students joined forces to jointly solve problems at the intersection of biology and engineering.

All the guys from the NSU team regularly participate in student Olympiads and are engaged in scientific activities at the institutes of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, combining their studies with research and educational activities.

The selection round of the competition was held in absentia in April-May; participants were offered a choice of several problems, one of which the students had to solve.

— In the SynBio Challenge, we solved the problem of developing a DNA sequence no longer than 140 bp, providing high expression of GFP (green fluorescent protein) in E. coli. It seemed familiar and interesting to us, since we had already studied molecular biology at the university, have laboratory experience and are well acquainted with the methods of genetic engineering. This gave us confidence in our abilities and the desire to apply our knowledge in practice, — said the captain of the GeneMeow team, Valeria Romanova.

— We conducted a bioinformatics analysis of regulatory elements, studied relevant literature and modern approaches to increasing gene expression. Based on this, we developed an optimized design that includes strong promoter (a region of a gene that triggers the synthesis of mRNA and then protein) and post-transcriptional (regulatory) elements and is aimed at efficient expression of GFP. Such developments are relevant for medicine, biotechnology, agriculture and fundamental research, — said GeneMeow team member Ulyana Borovikova.

The final will be held in person and will be a festival, where each team will present their solutions to the problems at the selection stage. In addition, the organizers of the competition synthesized the DNA sequences proposed by the participants, inserted them into plasmids with a fluorescent protein gene, which is used to check the DNA sequence, and during the festival they will visualize the synthesized sequences, compare which team has them glowing more strongly. The brightness of the glow will be one of the criteria for assessing the work of each team.

— NSU has historically developed leading scientific schools in synthetic biology and bioinformatics. This year, the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies is opening a Master's degree program in Industrial Pharmacy, where students will work on solving specific problems of industrial partners. At one time, the iGEM-Siberia team became the first team from outside Moscow to take part in the world's largest competition of genetically engineered machines, iGEM-2021. This year, our Chinese colleagues invited us to take part in SynBio Challenge, an international competition of comparable scale. I hope that the team will return with a victory; the guys have been working on the project for a long time and will present a poster presentation at the festival. The development of biomedical technologies is a global trend. I am very glad that we always find support for students' initiatives at our university! — commented Sergey Sedykh, PhD, Senior Lecturer at the NSU Natural Sciences Department, and judge of the SynBio Challenge competition.

The participation of the NSU team in the international competition is financed within the framework of the academic mobility project of the Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU Priority 2030 programs.

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Bioinformatics: the key to the future of oncology. Results of the conference "tumor markers" in Novosibirsk

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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The VII All-Russian Conference "Tumor Markers: Molecular, Genetic and Clinical Aspects" was held in Novosibirsk from July 28 to 30, 2025. The event brought together more than a hundred leading Russian specialists: opinion leaders, professors of the Russian Academy of Sciences, heads of molecular laboratories, heads of clinical departments and diagnostic centers. The central topic of discussion was the transformative role of bioinformatics in the search for new biomarkers, the development of personalized methods for diagnosing and treating cancer. Institute of Medicine and Medical Technologies of NSU (IMMT NSU) The event was presented by the head of the biotechnology and medicine department, Maria Lomova, and the head of the bioinformatics laboratory, Alexander Vikhorev.

The conference confirmed the status of bioinformatics as one of the most dynamic and sought-after scientific disciplines in modern oncology. Participants unanimously noted that without complex big data analysis, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), further breakthroughs in understanding the mechanisms of oncogenesis and creating effective diagnostic tools are impossible.

The event became a unique platform for the formation of scientific and practical cooperation between bioinformaticians, molecular biologists and clinicians. Only the joint work of these specialists allows us to translate fundamental discoveries in the field of tumor markers into real clinical protocols.

The conference actively discussed advanced bioinformatic approaches for searching and validating new biomarkers in genomic data, platform solutions for determining the mutational status of patients. A special focus was made on the use of AI in oncology research. Participants shared their experience in using AI to analyze medical images, gene expression patterns, predict drug resistance, and develop individual treatment regimens.

— The conference clearly demonstrated that bioinformatics has ceased to be an auxiliary tool — it has become the driving force of oncological research. It is bioinformaticians, who possess methods for analyzing the most complex genomic data, who today decipher the "language" of cancer, helping to find new targets for therapy and create tests for early diagnostics. For young scientists and students, this is an area of enormous opportunities and a real contribution to saving lives, — noted Alexander Vikhorev.

The participants of the event noted that the VII All-Russian Conference "Tumor Markers" in Novosibirsk successfully fulfilled its task, providing specialists of different profiles with an important platform for professional dialogue. The exchange of relevant experience and views on the application of modern approaches will undoubtedly contribute to the development of more effective solutions in the field of oncology. The example of IMMT NSU shows that participation in such events remains significant for the scientific community and practical healthcare.

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NSU student identifies regular phonetic correspondences between Chinese and Korean consonants

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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A comparative study to identify regular phonetic correspondences between consonants in Chinese and Korean was conducted by a student of the Department of Oriental Studies Humanitarian Institute of Novosibirsk State University Artem Tashlykov. The result of the work was a summary table of regular phonetic correspondences of consonant phonemes of the Chinese and Korean languages. When compiling it, all possible syllables of the Chinese language were taken into account, as well as all syllables of the Korean language corresponding to each syllable of the Chinese language. For an objective comparison of the articulatory-acoustic characteristics of sounds, the young researcher used the methods of electroacoustic analysis – spectrography and oscillography. Artem Tashlykov conducted his research under the scientific supervision of Anton Shamrin, PhD in Philology, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Oriental Studies. This work is very important, because there are very few comparative studies on the Chinese and Korean languages in the Russian-speaking scientific space. The results of the study can be used to improve linguodidactic and methodological materials used in training specialists who speak both languages. Such employees are currently in high demand on the labor market.

— Some words in different Eastern languages sound similar to a certain extent, which causes certain difficulties for those who study them in parallel. This similarity is especially clearly expressed in vocabulary based on hieroglyphic writing. The writing of Korea and Japan has been influenced by Chinese hieroglyphic writing since ancient times, which became one of the reasons for the penetration of a certain set of hieroglyphic vocabulary into the vocabulary of these countries. When borrowing vocabulary, pronunciation was accordingly borrowed. But over time, it inevitably underwent changes. This happened, perhaps, due to the difference in the articulatory-acoustic base of these three languages. As a result, pronunciation was distorted to some extent, adapting to the set of sounds familiar to native speakers of these languages. Probably, phonetic changes that occur in all languages of the world due to their natural and logical development also made their contribution. The result of changes in the pronunciation of hieroglyphic vocabulary in Chinese and Korean was the fact that one phoneme of the Chinese language corresponds to several phonemes of the Korean language, just as one phoneme of the Korean language can correspond to several phonemes of the Chinese language. In this way, regular phonetic correspondences were formed. My goal was to identify such regular phonetic correspondences and their subsequent systematization, – said Artem Tashlykov.

The young researcher had previously compiled a list of 150 two-syllable words that had common hieroglyphic roots in both Chinese and Korean. These words were selected in such a way that it would be possible to analyze each of the phonemes presented in both languages in all variants of their implementation in speech. Then audio recordings were made of two native speakers of Chinese and two native speakers of Korean.

The informants were first asked to familiarize themselves with the given list of words and then read them out loud. In order to eliminate recording errors and expand the statistical data, each word was pronounced 4 times, with a pause between them. This helped to avoid combinatorial changes in pronunciation between words when reading. Thus, a total of 2400 audio fragments were analyzed.

In order to measure the absolute durations of sounds and to describe in detail the formant characteristics, the recorded material was analyzed using electroacoustic methods – oscillography and spectrography.

— Using an oscillogram, we can determine the boundaries of vowels and consonants, as well as the method of articulating consonants. However, using only an oscillogram, it is almost impossible to determine which sound is being pronounced. Therefore, for a more detailed analysis and determination of the row and rise of vowels, the place and method of articulating consonants, we obtained spectrograms, which are graphs of the dependence of the spectrum of sound frequencies on time. As a result of applying such a comprehensive approach, we were able to establish the degree of correspondence between similar consonant phonemes of the two languages and discover differences in the articulation and acoustic characteristics of the sounds of the Chinese and Korean languages. We compared the syllabic structures of both languages, compiled a description of the acoustic properties of the main allophones of all consonant phonemes, and made a statistical calculation of the correspondences. A total of 40 regular phonetic correspondences were established, including 32 correspondences between phonemes that have a similar method of articulation, 4 regular correspondences in the affricate-plosive pair, 3 in the fricative-plosive pair, and 1 in the affricate-fricative pair, explained Artem Tashlykov.

The young researcher compiled a table containing all the unique correspondences of syllables between Chinese and Korean, on the basis of which calculations were made, and created tables of the frequency of occurrence of phonetic correspondences. A summary table of the identified regular correspondences was also formed with a classification of phonemes by the method of articulation, which clearly demonstrated the presence or absence of regular correspondences between certain phonemes of the Chinese and Korean languages.

— My work systematizes extensive empirical material and creates a basis for further theoretical and applied research in the field of comparative phonetics of East Asian languages. And the practical significance of my research is that it contains information useful for the simultaneous study of Chinese and Korean. The results of my work can be used in the development of teaching aids and methods aimed at students who speak one of the languages and study the second, — said Artem Tashlykov.

Material prepared by: Elena Panfilo, NSU press service

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Polytechnic University presented innovative developments to representatives of federal authorities

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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On August 4, a representative delegation headed by Deputy Head of the Administration of the President of the Russian Federation Maxim Oreshkin, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation Mikhail Ivanov, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Dmitry Afanasyev and Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation Sergey Kuchushev visited Polytechnic University on a working visit.

The delegation also included Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Competition Protection Valery Gartung, Vice-Governor of St. Petersburg Vladimir Knyaginin, Acting Chairman of the Committee on Industrial Policy, Innovation and Trade of St. Petersburg Alexander Sitov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Industrial Policy, Innovation and Trade of St. Petersburg Alexey Yakovlev, and heads of departments of ministries.

The guests were met by the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy, vice-rectors Vitaly Sergeev, Lyudmila Pankova, Yuri Fomin, Dmitry Tikhonov, director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich, scientific secretary Dmitry Karpov, heads and employees of scientific centers and laboratories.

It is a great honor for us to receive such a representative delegation interested in getting acquainted with the advanced developments of our scientists, – noted the rector of SPbPU Andrey Rudskoy. – Today, our university is one of the leading scientific and educational centers, where innovative ideas are born and the most daring engineering projects are implemented. We are proud of the achievements of our researchers and are happy to share our accumulated experience. I am sure that your visit will open up new prospects for our scientists, for the interaction of the university with the industrial sector and various branches of the economy. We are ready to share our developments and are open to dialogue, which will undoubtedly contribute to the development of science and technological leadership of our country.

During the visit, government officials learned about the latest achievements of the Polytechnic’s research teams, saw the unique equipment developed at the university and the products manufactured on it, including those ordered by industrial partners.

The acquaintance began with a visit to laboratories and centers engaged in additive manufacturing. In the Laboratory of Lightweight Materials and Structures, the delegation members were told about additive electric arc growing (WAAM), and were shown the first robotic WAAM printer in the Russian Federation and other installations. They were also presented with the technology for manufacturing parts using friction stir welding on a robotic complex of their own production.

The staff of the Research Laboratory "Laser and Additive Technologies" of the Institute of Metallurgical Engineering and Technology presented the mobile laser cladding complex "Nomad". This is a unique development for Russia, created on a single platform using a robot, a powder feeder and a high-precision laser. The complex is compact and mobile: it can be easily transported for on-site work on the restoration of large-sized and specialized products. With its help, key elements of gas turbine engines of both Russian and foreign manufacture have already been restored.

Another development that has attracted interest is the laser welding complex for hydrogen energy source fuel cells. This is the only equipment in the country that has produced more than 700 hydrogen energy source fuel cells, 350 of which are undergoing sea trials on board the Ecobalt vessel.

The guests were also shown hip joint cups created by a combined method, using the technology of applying a porous coating to the blank. Now the laboratory is creating a production complex that will allow serial production of up to 40 thousand such products per year.

It is important for us to show developments live – not on slides, but in action. This is the only way to truly convey the scale and potential of these technologies, – said the director of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials and Transport Anatoly Popovich. – When guests see examples of work created by the hands of engineers and scientists, this turns from an abstract innovation into a subject of real interest and further support.

The guests also learned that the Polytechnic University became the first university to have a section for serial production of gas turbine engine parts: nozzle assemblies and injectors. In addition, SPbPU has the first domestically produced high-temperature 3D printing equipment in Russia and Western Europe, which allows for the growth of products with a directional structure.

In the lobby of the Technopolis Polytech Research Building, delegations presented scientific and technical developments by young scientists and engineers, including university students.

The achievements of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU "Digital Engineering" were presented by the Deputy Head of the Engineering Center (CompMechLab®) of SPbPU Nikolay Efimov-Soini. He spoke about a unique Russian development focused on ensuring the design and production of globally competitive high-tech products in various industries and in new markets in the shortest possible time — the CML-Bench® Digital Platform. Nikolay Konstantinovich emphasized that dozens of breakthrough projects have been implemented on the CML-Bench® Digital Platform to develop digital twins of products for high-tech industries, including engine building, aircraft manufacturing, nuclear energy, oil and gas, automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, shipbuilding and medicine, in accordance with the national standard of the Russian Federation — GOST R 57700.37–2021 "Computer models and modeling. DIGITAL DOUBLES OF PRODUCTS. General Provisions".

In accordance with the current needs of industrial enterprises and the unmanned aircraft systems sector, SPbPU Advanced Engineering School is adapting the Digital Platform for the Development and Application of Digital Twins CML-Bench® to the UAS industry. The digital platform CML-Bench.BASTM has been supplemented with a system for constructing virtual test benches and testing grounds for conducting digital tests of both individual UAS elements and the aircraft as a whole. In addition, the platform includes a Digital Certification module, which allows for full-scale certification tests to be passed the first time by conducting a large number of preliminary digital tests. This reduces the cost of development, the timing and cost of certification work, and also accelerates the launch of products to the market, – noted Alexander Gordeev, Deputy Head of the Experimental Design Bureau of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU "Digital Engineering".

At the stand, guests saw a prototype of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) "Snegir-1.5", created in 2024 on the basis of the CML-Bench® Digital Platform for flight tests, control system development, validation and verification of calculation models. And Nikolay Efimov-Soini presented innovative solutions of particular interest for the development of UAVs that are competitive in terms of technical characteristics – demonstrators of overprinting technologies, induction welding of thermoplastic composite materials and automated laying of thermoplastic unidirectional prepregs.

Among the developments of the SPbPU PISh "Digital Engineering" there was also a full-scale sample of an anti-debris filter – a high-tech solution created in the interests of JSC TVEL (part of the Fuel Division of the Rosatom State Corporation) and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of equipment in extreme operating conditions.

Optimization technologies made it possible to generate a design with a large number of "needles" that form the optimal internal microstructure of the channels to intensify heat exchange. At the same time, the design provides rigidity and dynamic strength under the impact of foreign objects weighing up to 200 grams, flying at a speed of up to 6 meters per second, – emphasized Nikolay Efimov-Soini. – As a result, due to the use of digital design and additive manufacturing methods, the filtration efficiency has increased by 10 times.

Let us recall that at the International Industrial Exhibition INNOPROM-2025 specialists from the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU "Digital Engineering" presented a model of the UAV "Snegir-2", a prototype of which will be created in August 2025.

The Center for Technology Projects demonstrated the Morena unmanned boat for hydrographic and search operations and the Octopus-M remotely controlled unmanned underwater vehicle.

The students' developments aroused keen interest among the guests. Thus, the Polytech Voltage Machine student association presented a firefighting robot on a caterpillar track called "Freze" and an unmanned truck.

And the guys from the Student Design Bureau showed the first modification of the combat robot Honey Badger and shared that in its third version it won bronze atInternational Championship "Battle of Robots" in 2024.

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GUU and the EAEU: ways to expand cooperation

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Official website of the State –

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A meeting with the Deputy Director of the Department of Industrial Policy of the Eurasian Economic Commission, Vitaly Vovk, took place at the State University of Management.

Vice-Rector Maria Karelina, Director of the Engineering Project Management Center Vladimir Filatov and young scientists of the university spoke with the former Minister of Industry of the Republic of Belarus.

The meeting was devoted to current issues of expanding integration within the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The central topic was the development of cooperation between manufacturers and suppliers of components from the EAEU member states to create innovative types of equipment.

Particular attention was paid to the development of unified digital platforms for agricultural machinery – participants discussed the prospects for using global positioning systems, monitoring agricultural land, collecting climate data and analyzing soils on tractors and combines produced at enterprises in the EAEU countries.

The parties also considered the application of reverse engineering in mechanical engineering as an important factor in achieving the technological sovereignty of the Eurasian Economic Union.

In relation to the development of human resources, mechanisms for interaction in the field of training and advanced training of specialists for key industries of the EAEU countries were discussed. Emphasis was placed on the need to jointly address issues of digitalization and the introduction of artificial intelligence in industrial enterprises.

At the end of the meeting, the possibilities of using financial assistance mechanisms for the implementation of joint projects were discussed, which will become an additional incentive for strengthening economic ties within the EAEU.

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Polytechnic University became the venue for the 10th International Scientific and Technical Conference “Gas Transport Systems: Present and Future”

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Gazprom held the 10th International Scientific and Technical Conference "Gas Transportation Systems: Present and Future" (GTS-2025) for the first time in St. Petersburg at Gazprom VNIIGAZ. The conference was attended by over three hundred representatives of PJSC Gazprom and its subsidiaries, leading companies in the oil and gas sector, research institutes, centers and universities of the Russian Federation, as well as suppliers of products and services, industrial groups working in the field of gas transportation. The venues were Gazprom's flagship universities: the Empress Catherine II St. Petersburg Mining University and Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

The conference program included a plenary session, technical sections and round tables, an exhibition “Gas Transport Systems: Present and Future,” and technical excursions.

The second and third days of the conference were held at the Polytechnic University. Scientists and engineers from SPbPU took part in the work of technical sections and round tables, where promising developments and technologies for gas transportation facilities were discussed.

Thus, at the section "Pipe Products and New Materials for PAO Gazprom Facilities", Director of the Scientific and Technical Complex "New Technologies and Materials" Alexey Alkhimenko presented a report on the research of the metal of steel pipes for transporting hydrogen-containing gas. He covered the methods of transporting hydrogen, the prospects for the development of the global hydrogen fuel market, the problems and mechanisms of hydrogen impact on materials and their compatibility. The speaker presented various testing methods that are carried out at the Polytechnic University.

The tasks of the Polytechnic University were to create an experimental base that would allow us to study the effect of hydrogen on materials, as well as to develop methods for this and a knowledge base that could then serve as the basis for creating domestic regulatory documentation. Accordingly, with VNIIGAZ and with the participation of companies that are our partners, we have created and are developing a laboratory complex, – said Alexey Alkhimenko.

Leading researcher of the Scientific and Technical Complex "New Technologies and Materials" Ivan Golubev took part in the work of the section "Design and Construction of GTS". He gave a report "Predictive Analytics of the Corrosion State of Field Pipelines for Transporting Untreated Gas".

Ivan Andreevich presented the research of the team of the Scientific and Technical Complex "New Technologies and Materials", which developed its own system of mathematical models for predicting the development of corrosion-erosion wear based on laboratory tests conducted at the Polytechnic University. The project was implemented as part of the R&D for PJSC Gazprom and includes the development of a software product that allows issuing recommendations on the selection of methods for ensuring the reliability of field pipelines. In the future, it is planned to develop the topic using both the experience gained during the implementation of the project and the accumulated over the years of research into the behavior of the material under specified operating conditions.

The combined use of mathematical modeling, experimental data and ML algorithms makes it possible to identify local areas with intense corrosion, predict the development of defects depending on changes in transportation modes, optimize the diagnostics and repair strategy, reducing operational risks, noted Ivan Golubev.

The program of the section "Operation, reconstruction and new technologies for GTS facilities" included reports by Professor of the Institute of Energy Alexander Drozdov "Experience of development and application of virtual simulators with PJSC Gazprom", engineers of the Higher School of Power Engineering Anton Pulin "Prospects for optimization of the gas transportation process due to complex digital twins of the gas transportation system and compressor stations" and Kirill Alisov "Application of modern additive technologies in the modernization of the internal cooling system of turbine blades".

At the section "Power Systems of PJSC Gazprom", representatives of the Higher School of Power Engineering covered the following topics: "Development of a Low-Capacity Microturbo-Expander Unit" (engineer Anton Balakin), "Criterial Optimization Using Regression Analysis" (assistant Mikhail Laptev), "Application of Modern Additive Technologies for Unscheduled Repairs of Gas Turbine Elements" (engineer Ivan Talabira), and "Development of an Automated Complex for Designing and Optimizing Radial-Axial Turbines" (engineer Ivan Nurkov).

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Master Jesus Alejandro Echeverri Mendoza: Polytechnic, St. Petersburg and the Russian soul

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Jesus graduated with honors from the Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University with a master's degree. He spoke about his educational path at the Institute of Energy, which began in his homeland, Bolivia, and continued in the Polytechnic's graduate program.

— Why did you decide to come to Russia and choose the Saint Petersburg Polytechnic University?

— At 18, I became interested in Russia. There are still specialists who studied in the USSR working in Bolivia, including teachers from my university. I was especially impressed by Russia’s rich history and its engineering feats: the first satellite, the first nuclear power plant in Obninsk, and others. After completing my bachelor’s degree, I decided it was time — and chose St. Petersburg. The city attracted me with its culture, theaters, and museums. And the Polytechnic University became my choice because of its centuries-old traditions — after all, the university is already 126 years old!

— What were your first impressions of St. Petersburg and the Polytechnic?

— The first impression was that it was very cold! I come from a bright, sunny country, and the climate adaptation was difficult. But I still remember walking along Nevsky Prospect and being amazed by the architecture of your city! At first, I studied for a year at the preparatory faculty — I studied Russian. It was a very interesting process. Before coming, I studied Russian for about a year in Bolivia, but only at the basic level. The preparatory faculty helped a lot. It was also incredibly interesting for me to study basic subjects, such as physics and mathematics, in another language. Spanish is my native language, and Russian is very far from it. I was even surprised at how effective the Russian language is, in my opinion, for science. We speak a lot in Spanish, and in Russian, it seems to me, the rules are more logical. So scientific phenomena or concepts are explained more effectively, with fewer words.

— You graduated with honors — that’s a huge achievement! What was the hardest thing at the beginning of your studies?

— It was difficult for two main reasons. Firstly, knowledge of the language. Russian is considered one of the most difficult languages. After the preparatory faculty, it was still difficult for me to understand all the teachers at once. Over time, I managed to master the language. Secondly, there is a big difference in the education systems. It was difficult for me to adapt, because everything is different here. If we talk about the engineering industry, then the Polytechnic University has a very practical approach to solving problems.

— What is your specialization at the Institute of Energy?

— My area of expertise is electric power engineering. I deliberately chose this broad area because of its versatility and the presence of various specializations. After studying possible development paths, I decided on the areas closest to me: energy ecology, autonomous systems, and renewable energy sources.

— How did you organize your time for effective study? Were there any special methods?

— The main thing is that I was not afraid to ask any questions to the teachers. They were always ready to help! I had a huge interest in deepening my knowledge, and they constantly supported me. The second important aspect is that studying Russian never stopped. I was always interested, asked questions to my Russian classmates, who eventually became my friends. They were also always ready to help.

— Were there any difficulties in communicating with Russian students?

— Of course, there were difficulties at first. But from the very first days, people came up to me, asked where I was from, asked about Latin America — what we have, what we don’t. That’s how the first contacts were made. And by the end of my master’s degree, I proudly realized that I had written my thesis in another language! It was a real challenge that required persistence and determination. There were moments of despair when I wanted to give up everything, but I knew that I had to go towards my goal.

— What were the biggest non-academic difficulties you encountered in Russia? Climate, food, everyday life, mentality?

— First of all, the climate! I arrived at the end of September. I am still surprised that this city has two faces — winter and summer, it is interesting, but difficult. Secondly, a bit of a mentality. We, Latin Americans, are not as straightforward as Russians. It was hard for me to get used to the fact that in Russia everything goes very quickly, straight to the point. And everything changes constantly. Even the weather! In my city, Bolivia, there are practically no seasons. Here you need to constantly change clothes depending on the season. But it was a very interesting adaptation process.

— What did you like most about St. Petersburg?

— You can find everything here! It was the capital of the Russian Empire. I see old buildings and feel like I am in the 19th century! I went to theaters, museums — there is always something new and interesting here.

— Have you been to other cities in Russia?

— Yes, I visited Murmansk, Moscow and Bryansk. The contrast with St. Petersburg is striking. Moscow lives at an accelerated pace. However, the unique atmosphere of St. Petersburg turned out to be closer to me. Despite all the modernity of Moscow, I realized: this is not my city. St. Petersburg, which has become my home, wins in terms of sensations. Murmansk is remembered for its harsh climate and the special mentality of its residents: the long winter seems to foster mutual assistance. I was amazed by the views of the Arctic Ocean and the tundra – a completely different nature. Polar day and night – an experience that is difficult to comprehend, but incredibly impressive.

— How have you changed during your studies at the Polytechnic?

— Polytechnic changed me both as a professional and as a person. Thanks to the teachers, I did not just gain knowledge — I immersed myself in the world of modern technologies and methods of electric power engineering, which I had only heard about before. Now, holding a diploma in my hands, I feel that this is not just a piece of paper, but confirmation that I have become a real engineer. And life in Russia has taught me much more than textbooks. The St. Petersburg weather and all the difficulties have made me stronger in spirit, taught me patience and incredible persistence. Now I know that to achieve a goal, you need not only a head, but also character.

— If you knew then, on the first day of school, what you know now, what advice would you give yourself?

— The advice is simple. Communicate with the locals as intensively as possible from the first day. This is the shortest and most effective way to understand the cultural code, mentality and real "rules of the game" in studying and life in Russia. Knowledge of these nuances — from informal traditions to approaches to solving problems — turned out to be no less important than academic skills.

— What was the most unexpected or even shocking experience in life and studies?

— The education system is what surprised me the most! Here in Bolivia, a bachelor's degree is a base, a foundation without specialization. You become a specialist only in master's degree, choosing that one and only focus. Here, everything is different. You choose a specialization already in the bachelor's degree! Master's degree is the next level. Can you imagine my surprise? It was not easy to adapt! In lectures, teachers sometimes started from the middle — as if we all skipped the first six chapters of the textbook and should immediately understand the seventh.

— What are your plans after graduate school?

— I hope that I can become a teacher, either in my home country or in another country. I really like doing science, ever since school. I would like to combine my studies with work here in Russia during my postgraduate studies. Your country gave me the opportunity to study, and I would like to try my hand here. We'll see.

— Do you think that a Polytechnic diploma will give you an advantage when applying for a job, whether in Bolivia or another country?

– Yes, definitely! Especially in Asia and Latin America. Employers value those who studied in Russia because they know that you have a very practical approach and methods in engineering. In Latin America, they know about St. Petersburg and the Polytechnic University well. A diploma from this university shows that a person has received deep practical knowledge and is able to solve any engineering problems.

— What is the main piece of advice or advice you would give to a future foreign student entering the Polytechnic?

— Believe in yourself and be persistent. Entering and studying in another country is a challenge. Your confidence and persistence will help you overcome any difficulties. Learn Russian — this is the key. Without the language, it will be difficult to study, communicate, make friends. Be interested in the culture. Don’t be afraid of “seriousness”. Russian people may seem serious and straightforward. But! My experience has shown that there is a real “Russian soul” behind this! They are reliable and always ready to help. The most important thing is to be open, curious and don’t be afraid of new things. Studying at the Polytechnic is a chance not only to get an excellent education, but also to experience an amazing adventure that will change you.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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The Future of Business: GUU Experts Trained Young Entrepreneurs at the Targim Forum

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Representatives of the State University of Management held an educational block "Youth Entrepreneurship" at the All-Russian Youth Forum "Targim-2025", held in the Republic of Ingushetia with the support of Rosmolodezh and Rosmolodezh.Grants.

As part of the track, young leaders from all over the country received practical knowledge to implement their ideas and advice on how to turn ideas into real projects.

GUU experts shared their experience, held master classes and interactive lectures, and helped participants improve their entrepreneurial skills.

The program is being implemented within the framework of the interregional accelerator “Entrepreneur for Russia”.

It should be noted that the participation of the State University of Management in the forum became possible, among other things, thanks to the signed cooperation agreement with the Republic of Ingushetia. The joint work is aimed at supporting and developing youth initiatives, entrepreneurial thinking and leadership potential.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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As part of the NSU NTI Center consortium, NSTU NETI scientists have developed a technology for producing ceramic powder for the manufacture of endoprostheses

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The technology for synthesizing high-quality submicron α-Al₂O₃ powder for the production of medical ceramics using domestic raw materials was developed at the NTI Center for New Functional Materials at NSU by scientists from the Novosibirsk State Technical University NETI under the leadership of the head of the Laboratory of Ceramic and Metal-Ceramic Materials, candidate of technical sciences Sergei Veselov.

The project is being implemented with the financial support of the NTI Foundation at the Competence Center of the National Technology Initiative in the direction of "Technologies for modeling and developing new functional materials with specified properties" based at the Novosibirsk State University. As part of the project, the scientific team of the participant of the Consortium for New Functional Materials — NSTU NETI — had the goal of creating a full cycle of production of bioinert ceramics for joint endoprostheses: from the synthesis of ceramic powder to the release of finished products.

— Ceramic materials based on aluminum oxide and zirconium dioxide are widely used to manufacture endoprostheses that are subject to intense loads during operation — hip and knee joints. First of all, due to such advantages as high wear resistance, the service life of a ceramic implant reaches 20 years — unlike a metal analogue. In addition, the wear products of joint ceramics do not exhibit cytotoxicity — the materials are bioinert with respect to the human body. Today, the leaders in the production of aluminum oxide ceramics for large joints, primarily hip and knee joints, are Japan, Switzerland and Germany. In Russia, there is no production of ceramic raw materials for medical ceramics, so the country is significantly dependent on imports of ceramic components for endoprostheses. In this regard, we have set ourselves the task of developing a complete domestic production chain based on Russian components: from raw materials to finished products, — noted Sergey Veselov.

In the process of developing the technology for synthesizing submicron α-Al₂O₃ powder, the team of the ceramic and metal-ceramic materials laboratory managed to achieve additional capabilities in terms of managing the physical and mechanical properties of the final ceramic material. In particular, methods for managing the geometric characteristics of the synthesized powder were mastered, which allows obtaining ceramics with specified mechanical properties.

Experimental samples of ceramic powder developed at NSTU NETI demonstrate characteristics comparable to the products of leading global manufacturers: chemical purity of more than 99.5%, dispersion of less than 0.5 μm and phase composition of more than 99% α-Al₂O₃.

The powder synthesized in the laboratory has already been successfully tested to create alumina ceramics in laboratory conditions.

Currently, the research team led by Sergey Veselov, together with the NTI Center for New Functional Materials of NSU, has launched the process of patenting key stages of the powder creation technology. The NTI Center and its team of developers have also begun commercializing the developed materials and their production technologies. The next stage of the work is to find industrial partners for the widespread introduction of new functional materials for medicine and their production technologies into production.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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The first day of the blog tour within the framework of the “Student Tourism” program took place at NSU

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Novosibirsk State University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On August 1, young bloggers from different parts of Russia arrived in Novosibirsk Oblast as part of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education's "Student Tourism" program. The bloggers' visit is intended to demonstrate the potential of Novosibirsk Oblast as an attractive center for youth, education, and innovation. The blog tour participants spent the first day at NSU.

A special place in the program was occupied by a meeting of bloggers with students and representatives of NSU student associations, as well as the NSU International Friendship Club. The participants were able to exchange experiences and impressions about studying and living in Russia and talk about the prospects that become available with obtaining a Russian higher education. The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Valentina Dudnikova.

— It is a great joy for us to welcome talented young people from all over the country to the region as part of the Student Tourism program. The guys came to get to know the Novosibirsk Region better and, of course, the educational and scientific infrastructure of our leading university — NSU. We have prepared a rich program for them, which includes not only getting to know the university, but also studying regional experience in various fields. Novosibirsk today is attractive not only for receiving a quality education, but also for life, for self-realization, — Valentina Dudnikova noted.

Novosibirsk State University has a long tradition of developing friendly relations with other countries, and these traditions are preserved to this day. For example, NSU annually hosts the youth student festival Interweek. It introduces the history and culture of foreign countries, calls for respect, tolerance and mutual understanding between young people of different beliefs, cultures and religions.

— The history of international friendship has been developing and forming in the system of higher education for quite a long time. The progenitor of this history was, among other things, Novosibirsk State University. It is no secret that our region has a migration influx, which grows due to the fact that guys come here, stay here and connect their fate with Novosibirsk, — shared Olga Yakovleva, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Educational Work at NSU.

Head of the NSU Education Export Department Evgeny Sagaydak expressed hope for further development of international cooperation and an increase in the number of foreign students:

— For every 8,500 students at NSU, there are 1,500 foreign students from 60 countries. Over the past five years, we have not fallen below fourth place among all Russian universities in international cooperation and we plan to increase the number of foreign students by one and a half to two times by 2030.

Foreign students from different countries (including Myanmar, Algeria and others) said that, in their opinion, Russians are distinguished by patience, kindness and a good attitude towards foreigners.

— The cultures, people, and even temperatures here are very different, but it was quite easy for me to get used to it, because I immediately met friends from Russia and other countries. They helped me learn Russian. I am very happy to be at NSU, — the representative of the NSU International Friendship Club shared his impressions.

International cooperation involves not only the arrival of foreigners to Russia, but also the other way around – the admission of Russian students to foreign universities; in connection with which students from both sides shared their experiences of living and studying abroad.

Director of the Confucius Institute of NSU Yulia Azarenko spoke about the prospects available to Russian students in China:

— The uniqueness of our center is that its existence is based on the cooperation of our university with the Xinjiang University from the Chinese side. In addition, we are part of a large family of Confucius institutes and classes, hundreds of which are located in different countries of the world. Our work with Russian students is carried out with the support of the Ministry of Education of the PRC and the International Foundation for Teaching Chinese. Students study with teachers from China; participate in international language and creative competitions, and not only in the format of "China-Russia", but also "China-Central Asia-Russia" or "China and the Whole World". NSU students enter master's programs at such Chinese universities that even the best Chinese bachelor's degree graduates can only dream of.

Right now, for example, there are two groups of our students in China, mainly linguists and orientalists. For a month, they are undergoing an internship, getting to know the country and learning the basics and methods of teaching Chinese.

Elena Shubina, a senior student majoring in Oriental and African Studies, shared her experience of traveling abroad:

— A summer camp is a trip organized by the Confucius Institute, usually to two cities — Xinjiang and some other one. Our trip last year lasted about two weeks and was full of cultural programs. They told us about China, local customs, and culture. The most useful thing about this trip was seeing China with my own eyes. Of course, it’s interesting to study China from textbooks, books, and films, but it’s nothing compared to being there in person. For me, as a person who was in China for the first time, the most important thing was to see and learn how the Chinese live, and this camp provided all the opportunities for that. In addition, it was an experience of practicing the language, especially if you feel a language barrier.

After meeting with student associations and the NSU International Friendship Club, the guests got to know the university better, including its world-class campus, the Museum of Archaeology, the Evolution of the Earth scientific and educational center, the NSU Startup Studio, and more. In the evening, the participants immersed themselves in the atmosphere of Akademgorodok during a guided walking tour.

The blog tour will continue for two more days, on August 2 the participants will visit the air show, and on August 3 they will visit the scientific laboratories of Novosibirsk State University and the PIShnik from the Advanced Engineering School of NSU.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source of the information. It is an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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