Category: Russian Universities

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257 years ago, on February 13, Ivan Krylov was born—the famous fabulist whose lines we remember from childhood. They contain simple, everyday wisdom familiar to everyone, which is why, even two centuries ago, everyone read his works, regardless of class or age. They remain relevant today:

"How many times have we told the world that flattery is vile and harmful; but it's all to no avail, and a flatterer will always find a place in the heart."

Childhood and the "first steps" of a career

Ivan Andreevich was born in Moscow, the son of an officer. His father possessed a large home library, so from childhood his son was immersed in books and self-educated: he studied arithmetic, foreign languages (English, Italian, German), and read extensively. The boy received no formal education, as he was already working as an assistant clerk at the age of 11 – his father died early, leaving his mother to help support the family. It was she who taught the future writer to read and write, and a tutor who taught him French.

At age 13, the young man moved to St. Petersburg, where he lived in the home of a family friend, the civil servant Fyodor Lvov. The move had a profound impact on his work: Krylov gained access to the capital's literary circle. On the advice of the fabulist Ivan Dmitriev, he translated Jean de Lefautin, a work that received praise from connoisseurs and became the starting point for his fable writing.

At age 15, he spent his free time from his duties in the chamber at the theater, meeting actors and working on his own works. In the late 1780s, Krylov wrote the daring plays "The Americans" and "The Pranksters." And in 1786, his opera "The Writer in the Hallway" was staged. After his initial success, Ivan Andreevich decided to leave his post and devote himself entirely to literature and theater. In 1789, the writer began publishing the humorous magazine "Mail of Spirits," in which he exposed government officials for bribery and lawbreaking.

Dissatisfaction with the authorities and a pause in creativity

Krylov found his niche in writing fables. They were distinguished by their realism and truthfulness, superb language, and memorable style. From 1789 to 1793, his works were actively published in the capital's journals: "Morning Hours," "Mail of Spirits," "Spectator," and "St. Petersburg Mercury." However, in 1793, "Mercury" was closed, placing him under secret police surveillance. The authorities were dissatisfied with his work and exiled him from St. Petersburg, banishing him from the governor's cities. Ivan Andreevich abandoned writing for many years. In 1797, he met Prince Golitsyn, who offered Krylov a position as a children's tutor and secretary.

"Tackle what you are good at if you want to have a successful end to your endeavors."

It wasn't until 1805 that the writer returned to fables, beginning to translate and write them. Within four years, his work had become immensely popular and, ultimately, brought him great fame. From 1810, the writer worked at the Imperial Public Library, and in 1811, he became a member of the Russian Academy and a member of the Literary Society of Lovers of Russian Literature. During this time, his most famous works were written: "The Crow and the Fox," "The Elephant and the Pug," "The Dragonfly and the Ant," "The Quartet," "The Monkey and the Glasses," "The Swan, the Crayfish, and the Pike," "The Quartet," and many others. During his lifetime, Krylov wrote over 230 fables.

Krylov's acclaim was universal. He was read, quoted, and parsed into catchphrases: "The crow cawed with all its might," "Sing, my dear, don't be ashamed!," "The swan rushes into the clouds, the crayfish retreats, and the pike pulls into the water," "And you, friends, no matter how you sit, are still no good at being musicians," "Without a fight, you become a big bully."

Awards and achievements

Thanks to Ivan Krylov, the fable became so popular in the country and reflected the events unfolding there, like a chronicle. Nikolai Gogol characterized Krylov and his work thus: "Krylov chose the fable form, disdained by everyone as something old, unfit for use, and almost a child's toy—and in this fable he managed to become a national poet."

The writer received not only public recognition and admiration but also state awards and a pension. From 1816, he held the position of librarian at the Imperial Public Library. For his creative achievements, he was awarded the Gold Medal of the Russian Academy, the Order of St. Stanislav, 2nd class, the Order of St. Anna, 2nd class, and the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class.

Krylov's 50th Anniversary

In 1838, St. Petersburg celebrated the famous fabulist's birthday with great pomp. Firstly, it was the first time in Russian and European culture that a living writer was honored solely for his literary achievements. Secondly, over three hundred people were invited to the celebration in the hall of the St. Petersburg Assembly of the Nobility: ministers, members of the State Council, literary figures, and the young Grand Dukes Mikhail and Nikolai with their tutors. The anniversary was prepared by a group of St. Petersburg writers; a script was even written. It included a gala dinner, a performance of the anniversary cantata by the bass Osip Petrov, the decoration of the hall with a bust of Krylov, the awarding of the writer, a showering of flowers, and the crowning of the celebrant with a laurel wreath.

By the Supreme Command, a commemorative medal with a portrait of the fabulist was minted for this date, and two Krylov scholarships were established for poor high school students.

In 1845, Vissarion Belinsky wrote in an article dedicated to the memory of the writer: “…Krylov received a true, unprecedented reward for his literary merits… St. Petersburg writers, with their highest permission, gave Krylov a dinner, in which many dignitaries and famous people participated.”

Retirement and move to Vasilievsky Island

In 1841, Krylov retired from his career with a lifelong pension and moved to Vasilievsky Island. The reason for this decision was unknown: some believed the writer had become addicted to gambling, others believed he was hiding from society due to literary failures.

His daily routine included reading periodicals, smoking cigars, and receiving visitors, with whom he conducted conversations without leaving his chair due to ill health. He was still feeling well on November 20, 1844, but on the 21st, he asked to be put to bed and passed away.

The writer's final wish was to send out an invitation to his own funeral in the form of a special funeral edition of his fables. Ivan Andreevich's funeral service took place in St. Isaac's Cathedral. It couldn't accommodate all those wishing to say their farewells, so crowds filled Nevsky Prospect. The hearse proceeded to the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, where the writer was buried. In 1855, a magnificent monument to Krylov, designed by sculptor Pyotr Klodt, was erected in the Summer Garden.

Ivan Krylov's works have become firmly entrenched in folklore, translated into over 50 foreign languages, and are a symbol of the national spirit and realism. Surpassing Pushkin and Karamzin, the fabulist became the most widely read writer of the 19th century and a "renewer" of the Russian literary language.

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Today's featured guest is Maria Balakan, a Russian billiards champion and student at the Higher School of Law and Forensic Science at the Polytechnic Institute of Humanities.

Maria is a goal-oriented and versatile athlete who won the Russian adult championship at just 16 years old. She successfully combines intensive training with her studies at the Polytechnic University and is learning Chinese, practicing in the country, which she has already visited nine times in the past year and a half.

Read about the path to her sport—the role of family and passion, why billiards is compared to chess in motion, and the dreams of a seven-time Russian champion.interview on the website of the newspaper "Polytechnic".

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On February 13, 1945, the Budapest Strategic Offensive Operation concluded with the liberation of the Hungarian capital. In terms of duration and ferocity, the battle for Budapest even surpassed the capture of Berlin.

Why Budapest was more important to Hitler than Berlin

The main reason Budapest and Hungary as a whole were so valuable to Hitler were the last remaining oil fields. Without kerosene and other oil-derived fuels, aircraft couldn't take off, and tank armadas couldn't move into battle. The Führer attached particular importance to the oil-rich Nagykanizsa region.

Hitler stated that he would rather agree to the surrender of Berlin than to the loss of Hungarian oil.

To hold these strategically important territories, Hitler issued a directive ordering his forces in Hungary to stand firm, regardless of losses. He dispatched half of his available tank corps to the region, as well as elite SS units.

Execution of the USSR parliamentarians

The Soviet command tried to avoid bloodshed and destruction of the most beautiful city in Europe.

Two groups of parliamentarians under the command of captains Ivan Ostapenko and Miklos Steinmetz were sent to the German generals.

However, in violation of all norms of warfare, the negotiators were executed. Having begun the war with a treacherous attack on the USSR in June 1941, German troops ended it as vile murderers, determined to destroy as many as possible.

It became obvious that an assault was inevitable.

The storming of Budapest

The assault on the Hungarian capital lasted 108 days, and continuous street fighting lasted 48 days.

Up to 100,000 German and Hungarian soldiers were surrounded. Every house was converted into a fortification—the city was completely mined.

Tanks were rarely used – fighting raged for every floor and room. Assault teams advanced: infantry, sappers, and flamethrowers. Underground passages, breaches in walls, and rooftop fire were used, as in Stalingrad.

The Germans attempted three times to break through to the encircled forces, but not so much to rescue them as to bring in reinforcements and defend the city. In January 1945, over 600 tanks participated in one counterattack, but all attempts to break the blockade were repelled.

Memories of a participant in the battle – a GUU employee

Gennady Belykh, a participant who worked after the war at the Sergo Ordzhonikidze State Academy of Management (now the State University of Management), recalled how the battles for the city unfolded:

"In the battle for Budapest, our troops gained extensive experience in conducting combat operations to capture a large city. In this regard, I would like to particularly commend the bold and proactive actions of the assault groups, which played a decisive role in capturing Budapest.

A handful of brave men – machine gunners, sappers, flamethrowers – supported by fire from heavy machine guns, artillery and tanks, quietly approached the building, which the enemy had turned into a stronghold, threw fans into the windows, broke into the house and waged a fierce battle for every room, for every flight of stairs.

Assault groups typically operated not along streets that were under enemy fire, but through passageways and breaches. Our soldiers tried to get behind enemy lines, to ambush them out of the blue. Night was the best time for this—the Nazis feared night combat."

Results of the liberation of Budapest

The liberation of Budapest was completed on February 13, 1945. Fifty-six elite enemy divisions were routed in the battle for the Hungarian capital. Over 130,000 people were captured. The Red Army lost approximately 80,000 soldiers and officers.

The defeat of the German Army Group South opened the way to Austria, Hungary effectively left the war, and Hitler's troops lost their last accessible oil fields.

Medal "For the Capture of Budapest"

In June 1945, the Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" was established. It was awarded to more than 362,000 Red Army soldiers and commanders. This award held a special place in the USSR: the Medal "For the Capture of Budapest" on a soldier's chest meant one thing—the man had been through hell.

The staff of the State University of Management, ours, were also awarded with such medals.

Hero of the Soviet Union Alexander Davydov, Guards Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Head of Department at the Research Laboratory of the Moscow Institute of Power Engineering and Management (MIEI-MIU) from 1962 to 1985; Gennady Belykh, Colonel, Head of the Educational and Methodological Department at MIEU; Petr Burov, Engineer Major, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs at MIEI from 1952 to 1962; Ivan Stalnoy, Engineer Major, Chief of Staff of the Railway Troops of the 3rd Ukrainian Front, Associate Professor of the Department of Structures and Designs at MIEI.

We remember their feat and honor their memory.

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Before the war, a German guy climbed this slope with you. He fell down, but was saved. And now, perhaps, he's preparing his machine gun for battle. (Vladimir Vysotsky)

During the Great Patriotic War, the Caucasus Mountains became yet another territory captured by Nazi troops. To gain access to coal, steel, and oil and to seize one of the most important strategic points, the Edelweiss Mountain Division was sent there.

The enemy had been studying the terrain since the 1930s, so they were much better prepared for battle and adapted to long-term mountain conditions. Nevertheless, surrender was impossible, and as early as the summer of 1942, Joseph Stalin declared that the Germans would not cross the Caucasus Mountains.

Lieutenant Gurgen Grigoryants's unequal battle against the Edeilweiss unit took place in the fall of 1942. The Germans occupied the Priut 11 Hotel, and despite the failure to "remove" them, the situation in the mountains began to change. First, after Friedrich Paulus's army was encircled near Stalingrad, the group in the Caucasus was in danger of being cut off. Second, the German mountain rifle units were unable to cross the Main Caucasus Range and reach Baku. Third, after the units were redeployed to Stalingrad, they lost their numerical advantage due to a lack of personnel and equipment.

On the night of January 1, 1943, the Nazi troops began to retreat, and our soldiers began the North Caucasus Offensive Operation. It was led by Alexander Gusev, Honored Master of Sports of the USSR in mountaineering. This was the first mass ascent of Europe's highest peak during the harsh winter of the war. Icy winds, terrible storms and frosts, homemade climbing equipment, heavy loads of weapons, and minimal food—such were the conditions. The groups reached the Priyut 11 base by February 9.

"We ran out of food. And not just what we'd brought with us, but also what had somehow survived the warehouse explosion by the retreating rangers. The situation was becoming critical: climbing Elbrus in such bad weather was extremely risky, and the mission had to be completed at all costs," Gusev recalled.

On February 13, 1943, two dozen Soviet military climbers began their assault on Elbrus. In just nine hours, the soldiers reached an altitude of 5,633 meters above sea level. The enemy flags raised in the summer of 1942 were reduced to shreds. After removing the Nazi standards, the climbers raised Soviet flags and wrote a note:

"February 13, 1943, 2:00 PM. Today, a group of RKKA mountaineering instructors climbed here from the "Shelter of the Eleven" in nine hours. Snowfall, fog, frost. The ascent is dedicated to the liberation of the Caucasus from the Nazis and the 25th anniversary of our glorious Red Army. By order of the Transcaucasian Front command, the group removed the Nazi pennant and raised our red flag of the USSR. Death to the German occupiers! Long live our party, the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks), and the heroic Red Army! Long live our Elbrus and a free Caucasus once again!"

The assault on the eastern summit of the mountain began on the night of February 17, and again, 9 hours later, the second peak of Elbrus was cleared of Nazi symbols and the USSR flag was erected on it.

The successful completion of the operation became the most significant feat of Soviet soldiers during the Great Patriotic War and a testament to their incredible strength, courage, and commitment to their homeland. Alexander Gusev and Nikolai Gusak were awarded the Order of the Red Army, and the remaining 18 soldiers were awarded the Medal for Courage. "These are our mountains," and we proved it.

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Alexey Mordashov, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Severstal and CEO of SeverGroup, received the title of Honorary Doctor of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The diploma and gown presentation ceremony took place during the ceremonial meeting of the university's Academic Council on February 12.

The title of "Honorary Doctor" is the highest form of recognition at SPbPU, and has been awarded to outstanding figures in government, science, and industry. Among them are: Nobel Prize laureate in physics Zhores Alferov, statesman and academician Yevgeny Primakov, and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Denis Manturov. Chairman of the Management Committee of PJSC Gazprom Alexey Miller and others.

"Alexey Alexandrovich has done us a great honor by agreeing to run for the title of Honorary Doctor of the Polytechnic University, and, of course, the members of the Academic Council unanimously voted to award him this high title," SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy opened the ceremony. "This step marks a harmonious development of the Polytechnic University's long-standing and fruitful collaboration with a leading metallurgical company."

SPbPU and Severstal have been collaborating for over ten years. Their goal is to accelerate the onboarding of young engineers so that graduates arrive at the company with a deep understanding of real-world production technologies. Since 2005, more than 20 joint projects have been implemented, including the development of new steel grades, the modernization of converter production units, and the creation of materials for additive manufacturing based on metal powders. In 2025, Severstal's total investment in the development of SPbPU's educational infrastructure amounted to 20.9 million rubles.

Last December, with the support of Severstal, A renovated laboratory for heat treatment of metals and alloys was opened, equipped to industrial standards. It includes muffle heating furnaces, universal and microhardness testers, and metallographic microscopes. The company donated seven VR simulator systems to the university, simulating over 20 technological operations. The upgrade affected not only the technical aspects but also the learning environment—the lab has become modern, functional, and comfortable for students and faculty.

Furthermore, Severstal experts, together with the university, developed a unique multi-track model for training research engineers in metallurgy and materials science. In 2024, it was awarded the St. Petersburg Government Prize. The first 28 students enrolled in the program in 2025.

Every year, SPbPU graduates come to work at Severstal: 22 people were employed in 2024, ten in 2025, and 41 students completed internships at the company.

SPbPU and Power Machines, a SeverGroup company, are also jointly reviving key educational programs in power engineering and creating unique laboratories, such as the Center for the Study of Electrical Insulating Materials. In November 2020, the student design bureau "Power Machines – Polytechnic" was opened. Recently, Polytechnic and Power Machines The largest blank in Russia was printed using the electric arc method Steam turbine seal housings weighing over 750 kg. The work was carried out at the Polytechnic University's Lightweight Materials and Structures Laboratory.

Dmitry Karpov, SPbPU Academic Secretary, spoke in more detail about the collaboration between the Polytechnic University and Severstal. In his introduction to the new Honorary Doctor, he mentioned the book "Is It Possible to Make a Soviet Plant a World Leader in Metallurgy? The Short Answer Is 'Yes!'" published by Severstal for the 70th anniversary of the Cherepovets Iron and Steel Works, and cited Alexey Mordashov's work directly from it. This made the meeting with Alexey Alexandrovich particularly vivid and lively, revealing his outstanding qualities as a manager, leader, and entrepreneur through specific examples and personal experience, and enriching the audience with valuable knowledge. A top manager's statement, for example, is particularly telling: "It's important to accept as an axiom that each of your employees understands their business much more than you do, and the manager's job is simply to help them realize their potential."

This book is worth recommending to students studying in a wide range of educational programs: economics and technological entrepreneurship, management and organization of knowledge-intensive industries, sociologists, historians… This book contains invaluable facts about the country, the industry, the market, the development of the enterprise, and, as they say, the role of the individual in history. It's practically a textbook, noted Dmitry Karpov.

The gown and diploma presentation ceremony took place to the accompaniment of the Gaudeamus anthem performed by the Polyhymnia youth choir. The doctoral gown and cap were carried into the Academic Council Hall by students wearing the uniform of the Polytechnic University from the early 20th century. Andrei Rudskoy presented Alexei Mordashov with a medal and an Honorary Doctorate certificate.

In his response, Alexey Alexandrovich thanked the Polytechnic University and expressed hope for continued collaboration: "The history of the Cherepovets Plant and my own once again confirm this truth: we live in an era where knowledge is becoming a decisive force. The most important thing a business can do is not machines or components, but people with a certain culture and knowledge. Understanding this, we have always placed great emphasis on the development of people. And here, cooperation with the Polytechnic University has always been a very important, a very serious element. The history of the Polytechnic University is fascinating and inspiring. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it combines science, education, and cutting-edge achievements. Today, our group has almost 200,000 employees, and we, like everyone else, are involved in the battle for talent. The kind of people who will join us tomorrow is crucial for us. We work extensively with universities, and our collaboration with the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is particularly important. It is gratifying that the number of graduates joining us is growing." This is a sign that together we can achieve so much. For me, today's event, on the one hand, institutionalizes my membership in the large Polytechnic University family, and on the other, it recognizes the contributions we've made together over many years. I thank the Academic Council for their trust; it's a great honor and joy for me to join the ranks of honorary doctors of the Polytechnic University. May our partnership continue to bear fruit, so that we can achieve more together.

After the graduation ceremony, Alexey Mordashov visited the Institute of Mechanical Engineering, Materials, and Transport. He spoke with students in the Large Chemical Auditorium and offered these words of encouragement: "What happens to you today will shape your entire life. My destiny is proof that a person is capable of so much. I was born in Cherepovets. I graduated in 1988, never having earned a single B. I don't know how that happened; it was just interesting. Now I work as an entrepreneur. I recently read that the Forbes list includes approximately 3,000 billionaires. Of these, about a thousand inherited their fortunes, and two thousand earned theirs themselves. Including me. This shows that anything is possible. It's important that the university can help you succeed. The level of knowledge and culture you acquire here will determine your success. I sincerely wish you to seize this opportunity and become successful. Polytechnic University has a huge, inspiring history, and you are part of it."

Then Alexey Mordashov visited the laboratory for heat treatment of metals and alloys, where he and Andrey Rudskoy tempered a piece of metal in a furnace and then answered questions from metallurgy students.

— Where is metallurgy heading now: are we developing new products, or are we mastering the technologies we've invented and simply trying to promote them?

"We have developments that need to be improved. We're making our products thinner, stronger, and continually improving their performance. In principle, yes, we will be developing new types of products, which is why cooperation with Polytechnic University is so important."

— How do you manage to manage such a large company, and do you have time to switch to something else?

— With difficulty. (Laughs.) But I don't really do anything with my own hands. I recruit people, motivate them, and develop them so they can do their jobs better. In that sense, I'm a service provider. Of course, I participate in strategic discussions and act as an expert. But it's the people who achieve results! Do I manage to switch off? Yes. No one can stay stressed forever. I have vacations, and at 60, I decided to learn to play the piano. Plus, there's physical exercise.

— What specialties are most in demand in the company?

"We definitely need engineers across the entire spectrum of specialties. In fact, we need specialists in all fields—from economists to lawyers. I would advise you to get the specialty you enjoy. You'll be most successful in it. If you're a specialist in anything, but a good one at that, you'll always find a job."

You often visit businesses in person and interact with employees. Have you ever learned anything from them and put it into practice?

"I'm not the only one doing this; we have a whole system for collecting feedback. For example, there were a lot of ideas about continuous improvement, and we completely reconfigured the process based on that. To a certain extent, our job is to collect feedback and understand what's going on at the company."

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Feodor Chaliapin was a renowned Russian chamber and opera singer. He was born on February 13, 1873, in Kazan, to a family of farmers. As a child, he sang in a church choir, and at age 12, he first attended the theater, seeing Pyotr Sukhonin's "Russian Wedding." From that moment on, the stage remained his passion for the rest of his life.

"The orchestra was playing. Suddenly the curtain wavered, rose, and I was immediately stunned, enchanted. A vaguely familiar fairy tale came to life before me. Magnificently dressed people walked around the marvelously decorated room, conversing with each other in a particularly beautiful way. I couldn't understand what they were saying. I was deeply moved by the spectacle and, unblinking, unthinking, I gazed at these wonders," recalled Fyodor Ivanovich.

Wanting to get a glimpse behind the scenes, he even took a job as an extra for a nickel. His first performance, at the Panaevsky Garden in Kazan, was a disaster. After appearing on stage in the dramatic play "Vagabonds," in which Chaliapin was cast as the gendarme Roger, he was stunned and later deeply distressed by the disruption of the performance.

The debut finally took place in 1890 in Ufa, when one of the baritones fell ill the day before a performance. The role of the Stolnik in Stanisław Moniuszko's opera "Halka" went to the chorister Chaliapin. He received a "vaccine against overconfidence" then—he sat the wrong way during the performance.

The aspiring artist landed a contract with Lyubimov's opera thanks to Dmitry Usatov, a former artist at the Imperial Theatres, who taught him the basics of professional vocals and etiquette. He was then invited to the Mariinsky Theatre, but after critics criticized his poor singing, he found no roles for a long time.

That same year, in Nizhny Novgorod, where Chaliapin had gone for the summer, he had a fateful meeting with Savva Mamontov. He invited Fyodor to join his troupe for a handsome fee. The singer "didn't believe in the saving power of talent without hard work," so during his three years at the private opera, he demonstrated incredible diligence and worked hard to perfect his craft. Thanks to this, his name became widely known throughout the country.

In the autumn of 1899, Chaliapin arrived at the Imperial Theatres as a renowned opera singer – his tours were a great success, and the audiences applauded him. He then became a leading soloist at both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theatres, and two years later he was performing in Italy at the renowned Teatro alla Scala. His repertoire of roles was vast, with his most memorable roles including the Miller (Rusalka), Ivan Susanin (A Life for the Tsar), Boris Godunov and Varlaam (Boris Godunov), Ivan the Terrible (The Maid of Pskov), Mephistopheles (Faust and Mephistopheles), Don Basilio (The Barber of Seville), Leporello (Don Giovanni), and Don Quixote (Don Quixote). From 1918 to 1921, Chaliapin became the artistic director of the Mariinsky Theatre. For the once provincial boy, this position became a true success, recognizing not only his talent and enormous work on himself, but also his sincere dedication to the cause.

In 1922, Fyodor received permission for an extended tour abroad and left for France with his family. The reason for his emigration was disagreements with the Soviet government, which the artist refused to reconcile. His fortunes abroad were flourishing – he began conquering theaters around the world and filling halls with admiring audiences. From 1923 onward, the opera singer performed successfully in Europe, the United States, Canada, and Australia, Latin America, China, and Japan. In 1927, while in Paris, Chaliapin donated 5,000 francs to help unemployed Russian émigrés. The Soviet government perceived this as support for the White Guards and stripped him of his title of People's Artist of the USSR.

A hallmark of his performances was makeup, which he turned into a true art form. His meticulous attention to every detail, including not only his face but also his hands, neck, and, if necessary, his body, was a completely new phenomenon. He recalled:

"When I walked onto the stage, dressed in my costume and made up, it caused a real sensation, very flattering for me. The performers, the chorus, even the workers surrounded me, gasping and delighted like children, touching me with their fingers, feeling me, and when they saw that my muscles had been painted on, they were completely delighted."

In May 1937, his final performance took place in Warsaw. He sang the title role in Boris Godunov, and in June, he gave his final concert in Great Britain. On April 12, 1938, the great artist died of leukemia.

In his time, Feodor Chaliapin was not just a world-renowned opera and chamber music star, but a true innovator. Konstantin Stanislavsky himself, the author of the famous training system still used today, admitted, "I based my 'system' on Chaliapin." Therefore, today, the great singer's legacy lives on in new generations of artists. For his contribution to culture, Chaliapin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Golden Cross of the Prussian Eagle in Germany, and the Legion of Honor in France. The title of People's Artist was restored only 53 years after the singer's death.

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February 13 is celebrated annually as World Radio Day. It was proclaimed by the UNESCO General Conference on October 19, 2011, and the date was chosen for a reason: it was on this day in 1946 that UN Radio was founded.

Although the holiday hasn't been celebrated for very long, it already has its own traditions. For example, UNESCO chooses a special theme for the celebration each year, reflecting the current challenges and opportunities of radio broadcasting. For 2025, the theme was "Radio and Climate Change."

The history of radio

The debate over who invented radio continues to this day. In Russia, the author is considered to be Alexander Popov, in the US, Nikola Tesla, and in the West, Guglielmo Marconi. Three prominent scientists were working on this new form of communication at the same time, without any interactions.

In 1893, Nikola Tesla demonstrated wireless signal transmission at a lecture in St. Louis and then filed patents for his own radio communication system. On May 7, 1895, Alexander Popov presented his device for receiving electromagnetic waves at a meeting of the Russian Physicochemical Society in St. Petersburg. In 1896, Guglielmo Marconi filed a patent for a radio device in the UK, and by 1901, he had made the first transatlantic radio transmission, proving that radio waves could travel thousands of kilometers.

How an invention changed our lives

Radio was long used for military communications, initially transmitting Morse code, and human speech was first heard in 1919. In the USSR, reliable radio broadcasting began in 1924 and was a true revelation – it became the main source of breaking news for all citizens of the country. In 1962, All-Union Radio introduced 24-hour broadcasting, and by 1970, radio broadcasting had reached the entire country. It has become a vital tool for mass information, education, and entertainment.

Radio Today

Despite the rapid development of television, the internet, and social media, this method of communication remains relevant and remains the most accessible media. Radio adapts to trends, broadcasting not only news but also music, podcasts, interviews, and much more.

Congratulations!

Traditionally, this holiday is celebrated by those involved in radio broadcasting. The State University of Management congratulates members of the Center for Space Research, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and Radioelectronic Technologies at the State University of Management, radio station staff, military communications specialists, students and teachers specializing in radio engineering, and all radio enthusiasts!

Thank you for creating and developing technologies that help us stay connected!

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 13, 2026.

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: Official website of the State –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On February 12, the State University of Management held the opening of the spring season of the Service-Learning program.

Deputy Minister Olga Petrova commented on this event on the official social media accounts of the Russian Ministry of Science and Higher Education: "I'm pleased to see how students from the State University of Management are implementing projects that help people and make society stronger. Working with real social clients helps them gain practical skills and build a strong portfolio. It's especially important that such initiatives instill in students responsibility, initiative, and a willingness to work in real-world situations."

At the grand opening of the season, GUU Vice-Rector Pavel Pavlovsky described the program's history and emphasized the wide range of tasks it addresses, from assisting large families to organizing nationwide events.

"You're all future managers here. And becoming one in theory without organizing any work in practice is impossible. Without such experience, you'll never know what to do when your colleague misses a deadline," warned Pavel Pavlovsky.

Alexander Romanov, Deputy Head of the Department for Work with Educational Organizations at the Dobro.rf Association, reported that the program's new digital service was launched in January, and that GUU students will be among the first to test it out.

Yulia Ustinova, Deputy Head of the Department of National Priorities and Regional Interaction at the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs, emphasized that the State University of Management is not only a leader in implementing the "Service-Learning" program, but also sets trends and guiding principles for others.

Veronika Balandina, head of the Service-Learning program at SUM, spoke about the main results of the program's implementation at our university in 2025.

"The program covers 100% of the programs offered at SUM. For each program, we select appropriate assignments from social stakeholders. Even if we don't have a specific program, such as veterinary science, but the project seems interesting, we find partners and specialists at other universities," said Veronika Balandina.

A total of 1,389 students participated in the program's activities, implementing over 195 projects and helping more than 15,000 beneficiaries.

As a clear example of the results of student work, the team that won last year's project competition within the "Service Learning" program presented an advertising brochure for the "Alien Guest" Charitable Foundation.

As a reminder, the Service-Learning program has been implemented at SUM since 2023 and is integrated into the educational process: students address social issues as part of their academic studies. In 2025, SUM was ranked first in Russia for the number of social orders processed in the first quarter, took second place in the All-Russian Competition for Best Practices in Organizing Volunteer and Community Activities in Russian Universities in the category "Best Practices in the Implementation of the Federal Service-Learning Program," and was included in a collection of program case studies at Moscow universities.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: February 13, 2026.

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: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The 2nd All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with International Participation, "Innovative Approaches in Urban Development: Science, Education, and Practice," was held at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The event was organized by the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering, the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, the Research Institute of Advanced Urban Development, and the Leningrad Region Urban Development Policy Committee, with the support of the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Utilities of the Russian Federation and the Government of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region.

The conference served as an interdisciplinary platform for dialogue between government officials, the scientific community, and business. Its main goal was to discuss current challenges in modern urban development, exchange best practices, and develop joint solutions for the development of agglomeration systems and large cities.

The conference was opened by SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy, President of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences (RAACS) Dmitry Shvidkovsky, Special Representative of the Governor of St. Petersburg for Economic Development Anatoly Kotov, President of the St. Petersburg Union of Architects Vladimir Grigoriev, General Director of JSC "St. Petersburg Development Corporation" Denis Gornev, Deputy Director of the Department of Urban Development and Architecture of the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation Alexander Stepanov, and Chairman of the Southern Territorial Branch of RAACS Yuri Rysin.

Today, the future of urban development directly depends on the development of science and the training of highly qualified personnel. The city must change, acquiring a national identity. I am confident that the training of such professionals will become the foundation for the sustainable development of the urban development industry, noted Dmitry Shvidkovsky.

The first day of the conference was devoted to current issues in contemporary urban development policy and existing challenges in territorial planning. Particular attention was paid to the role of universities in implementing the urban development agenda. Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Civil Engineering Institute, delivered a report titled "The Role of Universities in Implementing the Urban Development Agenda of the City and Region." She emphasized the importance of training students in territorial planning and urban design.

On the first day of the event, Margarita Perkova, Director of the ISI Higher School of Design and Architecture, presented a report titled "Urban Zoning of the Leningrad Region." Sergey Lutchenko, First Deputy Chairman of the Leningrad Region Urban Development Policy Committee and Associate Professor at the ISI Higher School of Design and Architecture, presented a report titled "Urban Development Policy: Science, Education, and Practice." Pavel Spirin, Director of the Research Institute of Industrial Geosciences and Head of the Urban Development Department at the ISI Research Institute for Advanced Urban Development, and Dmitry Shvidkovsky, President of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Construction Sciences, presented a joint report titled "Future Traditions in Modern Urban Development. Spatial Development of the Territories of the Russian Federation."

The second day of the conference was devoted to a discussion of current tools and technologies for spatial development, as well as issues of functional, transport, and infrastructure planning in the context of modern industry challenges.

Pavel Spirin presented a report titled "Formation of the Kingisepp Industrial and Logistics Cluster Based on Urban Development Documents." Margarita Perkova and Alexandra Kuzmina, Vice President of the Union of Architects of Russia, presented a joint report titled "Urban Development of the Moscow Region. Announcement of the Thematic Issue of the "Architecture and Construction of Russia" Journal."

On the second day, a project session, "High-Rise Construction in the Leningrad Region," was held, featuring senior undergraduate and graduate students from specialized universities in the city and leading practicing architects from Moscow and St. Petersburg. The Leningrad Region Committee for Urban Development Policy commissioned the project session.

A special event was the awards ceremony for the winners of the 1st International Competition of Graduation Theses (Projects) for Bachelor's, Specialist, and Master's Students in Urban Planning, Architecture, and Design, "ARCHIGRAD," held in 2025 by the Institute of Civil Engineering at SPbPU. The competition aims to identify and support promising graduation projects in urban planning, architecture, and design.

The competition featured 378 entries in eight categories from 44 higher education institutions in 27 Russian cities, as well as from Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. The entries covered a wide range of topics, from the renovation of historical sites and the design of sustainable urban environments to the development of digital interfaces, architectural solutions for the Arctic and the Far North, and the design of cultural heritage sites and tourism infrastructure.

On the third day, a field trip to Gatchina took place, where participants visited the Gatchina Palace, the Stationmaster's House, and the memorial complex "In Memory of the Civilians of the USSR – Victims of Nazi Genocide during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945."

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.