Category: Russian Universities

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Students from the State University of Management visited the large-scale exhibition "Great Victory. Russia – My History" at the Manezh Central Exhibition Complex, dedicated to the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War.

First-year students majoring in Advertising and Public Relations, accompanied by instructors Alexandra Timokhovich and Elena Dianina, were introduced to historical artifacts spanning the period from the Nazi invasion of the USSR to the end of World War II. They also saw the personal belongings of World War II heroes, original government decrees, and documents attesting to the atrocities committed by the invaders and the horrific treatment of Soviet prisoners of war and civilians by the occupiers.

"The exhibition space is modern and interactive. Touch tables, video panels, 3D models, and sound immerse us in the atmosphere of the war years. We explored letters, maps, and biographies of the heroes and victims of German expansion. We saw symbolic 125 grams of bread from the Siege of Leningrad and a reconstruction of the hall where the Nuremberg Trials took place. The multimedia tools not only allowed us to explore specific topics in detail but also evoked a sense of emotional engagement and empathy," noted first-year student Daria Kozyrenko.

The exhibition contains more than 700 unique exhibits and over 500 archival documents, and is presented in 15 thematic halls. As visitors move through them, they sequentially explore the main periods of the war.

"I was deeply impressed by Zoya Kosmodemyanskaya's diary and the items found on the concentration camp grounds—children's clothes, boots, a doll… We were literally immersed in the tragic events of our history. The Victory Banner hoisted over the Reichstag logically concludes the exhibition route. We felt a sense of pride in being the descendants of the people who achieved the Great Victory," shared first-year student Valentina Menshchikova.

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Every year on December 9, the world commemorates the International Day of Commemoration and Dignity of the Victims of the Crime of Genocide and of the Prevention of this Crime. This date was established not as an act of indictment, but as a reminder: we must learn to prevent the most heinous crimes against humanity from happening again.

Crime and Punishment

The date was not chosen by chance. It was on December 9, 1948, that the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide—the first international legal document to provide a legal definition of this crime. The Convention entered into force in 1951, and today 149 countries, including Russia, are parties to it.

In 2004, the UN established the post of Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide, whose task is to analyze threats posed by mass human rights violations based on ethnic and racial characteristics and report to the Security Council. At the 2005 World Summit, world leaders recognized that every state has a responsibility to protect its population from genocide, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. If the government fails to fulfill this responsibility, the international community is obligated to intervene through the UN Security Council.

The idea of establishing an international day of remembrance arose much later, in 2015, when the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution initiated by Armenia on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide in the Ottoman Empire. The document called on all states to observe national days of remembrance for the victims of the genocide and recommended that the UN General Assembly establish a single international day. On September 11, 2015, the resolution was approved, and December 9 became the official commemoration date, aimed at raising awareness of the 1948 Convention, disseminating knowledge about genocide prevention mechanisms, and preserving the memory of the millions of victims and survivors.

In the beginning was the word

The term "genocide" was coined in 1944 by Polish lawyer Raphael Lemkin, a Jew. The word is a combination of the Greek genos ("family, tribe") and the Latin caedo ("I kill"). Lemkin, a Holocaust survivor who lost most of his family, sought to create a legal instrument that would not only condemn but also prevent the mass extermination of populations. Although the term was first used at the Nuremberg Trials of 1945–1946, where the indictment against Nazi criminals referred to "intentional and systematic genocide," the verdict itself did not include the word "genocide" because an international legal definition did not yet exist.

The 1948 Convention for the first time clearly defined genocide as:

killing members of a national, ethnic, racial or religious group; causing serious physical or mental harm to members of such a group; creating living conditions calculated to bring about the total or partial destruction of the group; measures aimed at preventing births within the group; forcible transfer of children of one group to another.

So the unprecedented cruelty of genocide lies not only in the mass murders, but also in the targeted, systematic destruction through the deprivation of the future – the destruction of the family, reproductive capacity, national and cultural identity.

Genocide in history

In the 20th century, humanity experienced several major acts of genocide. The Holocaust (from the ancient Greek holocaustosis, meaning "burnt offering" or "destruction by fire"), the most widespread crime of its kind, lasted from 1933 to 1945. Nazi Germany and its allies systematically exterminated the Jewish population of Europe. People were stripped of their rights and property, herded into ghettos, entire families sent to concentration camps, tortured, used as slave labor, starved, and exterminated in gas chambers. According to official estimates, approximately 6 million Jews perished. In total, up to 11 million people fell victim to the Holocaust, including Roma, Slavs, people of non-traditional sexual orientations, the disabled, the mentally ill, and anyone else deemed "inferior" by the Third Reich regime.

But Hitler's ideologists didn't devise this bloody system on their own—they cold-bloodedly studied the experiences of British and Dutch colonizers, the creators of Indian reservations, and slaveholders in the United States, as well as Ottoman nationalists. After all, another criminal act that influenced the emergence of the concept of genocide was the extermination of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire in 1915–1916. According to various estimates, between 664,000 and 1.2 million people died as a result of ethnic cleansing.

It would seem that after the Soviet people's victory over fascism and the liberation of Europe from the "brown plague," the planet was vaccinated against Nazism and racial hatred. But no, in more recent history another monstrous crime against humanity has been recorded. From April to July 1994, a genocide against the Tutsi ethnic group occurred in Rwanda, Africa. Over 100 days, radical Hutu nationalists killed approximately one million people. In response, the UN Security Council established the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, which in 1998 issued the first official verdict of genocide. Jean-Paul Akayesu, former mayor of the commune of Thaba, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The tribunal tried 93 defendants, and 61 were convicted.

So that they remember

Ancient sages said: as soon as you forget about a disaster, it comes again. This is why it is important to pass on knowledge about the history of genocide from generation to generation. On Genocide Remembrance Day, memorial events are held around the world: flower-laying at memorials, moments of silence, and meetings with survivors and relatives of the victims. Museums and archives open exhibitions dedicated to the Holocaust, the Armenian genocide, and the Rwandan tragedy. Educational institutions offer lessons not only about the past but also on how to recognize the first signs of xenophobia and Nazism—the seeds of future genocide.

Our President, Vladimir Putin, has clearly and unequivocally articulated the Russian people's uncompromising stance against racial hatred and its manifestations in the modern world. Speaking at the unveiling of a memorial to Soviet civilians—victims of Nazi genocide during the Great Patriotic War—which coincided with the 80th anniversary of the complete lifting of the Siege of Leningrad, Vladimir Putin said, in part: "We see how the results of the Nuremberg Trials, during which Nazism was given an unequivocal legal assessment, are being effectively revised today. In some countries, not only are history being rewritten and executioners justified: revanchists and neo-Nazis have adopted the ideology and methods of the Nazis. In the Baltic states, tens of thousands of people are being declared "subhuman," deprived of the most basic rights, and subjected to persecution. The regime in Kyiv glorifies Hitler's accomplices, the SS, and uses terror against all those deemed undesirable." The barbaric shelling of peaceful cities and towns, the murder of the elderly, women, and children, continues. In a number of European countries, Russophobia is being promoted as state policy. We will do everything—everything—to suppress and finally eradicate Nazism. The followers of the Nazi executioners, no matter what they call themselves today, are doomed. And nothing can stop the aspirations of millions of people not only in our country but across the planet for true freedom, justice, peace, and security."

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On December 8, the opening ceremony of the Central Federal District Universities Consortium for the Development of Technological Entrepreneurship, which included the State University of Management, took place. The consortium aims to unite the universities' efforts to develop professional competencies, identify industrial partners, launch network educational programs, and create an environment in which technology teams can grow within a powerful shared ecosystem.

Representatives from more than 60 universities met at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) to officially launch a new format of cooperation, the main goal of which is to strengthen the potential of educational institutions and regions and open the door to real business opportunities for students. The First Management Institute was represented at the event by Vice-Rector Vitaly Lapshenkov, Business Incubator Director Dmitry Rogov, and Director of the Engineering Project Management Center Vladimir Filatov.

Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, addressed the guests with a welcoming speech. In her address, she noted that the Consortium is becoming a hub for talent, where university research, innovation, and the needs of the real economy converge. The association's main goal is to ensure that student and research projects progress from the laboratory to implementation in production and market entry. The Consortium is building a support system, from mentoring to promoting technologies to industrial sites.

MIPT Rector Dmitry Livanov shared the university's experience in creating new promising technologies for strategically important sectors of the Russian economy, developing partnerships with key market players, and uniting companies into a single ecosystem.

MIPT First Vice Rector Elena Anokhova, in turn, outlined the key areas of the Central Federal District Consortium's work for developing technological entrepreneurship and presented the project's roadmap. According to the plans, the active practical phase will begin as early as 2026: launching network programs, forming interuniversity teams, introducing new formats for interaction with industry, and developing a regulatory framework for transforming universities from educational institutions into innovation hubs. The association's plans include developing a mentoring system for staff overseeing technological entrepreneurship, creating working groups, and inviting faculty and researchers from participating universities to implement joint projects.

Our university has significant experience and achievements in the field of technological entrepreneurship. SUM offers entrepreneurial competency training and acceleration programs for NTI markets. Students regularly produce projects that are included in the top 100 projects of the Innovators' Academy and present their ideas at Innovator's Day. In 2025, three SUM students won the Student Startup competition of the Foundation for Assistance to Small Innovative Enterprises, and student Danila Yakovlev was among the winners of the All-Russian competition "Startup as a Diploma."

The First Management's participation in the Consortium will strengthen cooperation with leading educational organizations, industrial partners, and the business community to conduct promising scientific research and address strategically important challenges facing sectors of the real economy.

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December 9th marks International Anti-Corruption Day worldwide. The date was established by the UN General Assembly in 2003 and marks the beginning of the signing of the UN Anti-Corruption Convention, the key international instrument against bribery.

Against damage to the economy

The Convention was adopted at a conference in Mérida, Mexico, and entered into force two years later, in December 2005. Today, 190 states, including Russia, are parties to it. Signatory countries have committed to taking measures to prevent and combat corruption, strengthen legal institutions, and ensure transparency in the public sphere.

According to UN estimates, the annual global bribery volume reaches a trillion dollars, and the total economic losses from corruption amount to $2.6 trillion—more than 5% of global GDP. In developing countries, the damage from bribery exceeds the volume of international aid tenfold.

On this day, the UN and its partners conduct educational campaigns and publish materials on social networks under the hashtags

For a fair future

Each year, International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated under a specific theme. These include "Corruption Pays," "You Can Stop Corruption," "Action Against Corruption Now" (ACT), and "Corruption: Your 'NO' Matters." In 2025, the campaign is dedicated to engaging young people in the fight against bribery: its slogan is "Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Creating a Fair Future."

The UN emphasizes that fighting corruption is not only a task for states, but also a civic responsibility for everyone. After all, the sustainability of the entire social system depends on the transparency, honesty, and responsibility of individuals.

The State University of Management, in preparing specialists for state and municipal administration, business management systems, and non-profit organizations, places particular emphasis on developing in students an intolerance for corruption and an understanding of the importance of serving the public interest rather than personal gain.

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Vladimir Stroyev, Rector of the State University of Management, participated in the Russian-Arab academic dialogue at the 5th Forum of the Federation of Rectors of Russian and Arab Universities, which took place on December 7 and 8 in Cairo, Egypt.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Konstantin Mogilevsky addressed the participants and organizers with a welcoming address. "Today's event confirms that the partnership extends far beyond formal dialogue. It is built on the needs of our academic and scientific communities and their interest in working together. I am confident that the forum's results will facilitate the emergence of new forms of cooperation and the joint search for answers to modern challenges," Mogilevsky emphasized.

On the sidelines of the forum, a representative of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science held a meeting with Hossan Osman, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Egypt.

Viktor Sadovnichy, President of the Russian Union of Rectors and Rector of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Co-Chair of the Federation of Russian and Arab Universities, spoke via videoconference. The Russian side was also represented by Boris Borisenko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Arab Republic of Egypt (ARE), and Vadim Zaychikov, Head of the Rossotrudnichestvo Representative Office in the ARE and Director of the Russian House in Cairo. The Egyptian side expressed particular interest in cooperation in artificial intelligence, nuclear and quantum technologies, as well as the implementation of dual degree programs in these areas. They also reaffirmed their commitment to detailed joint work on developing the regulatory framework, including mutual recognition of education.

The First Management University was represented by its Rector, Vladimir Stroyev, and Vice Rector, Dmitry Bryukhanov, as part of the delegation of Russian universities. Vladimir Vitalyevich presented a report at the panel session, "Artificial Intelligence Diplomacy: Building Bridges Through Innovation between Russia and the Arab World," and outlined the fundamentals of ethnocultural, career-oriented Russian language training for Arab students using AI. "The development of economic relations between Russia and the countries of the Middle East and Africa is contributing to the popularization of Russian higher education in the educational services market in Arab states. In recent years, the number of Arab students seeking education in Russia has begun to increase. This is confirmed by the number of students in the preparatory department and at the State University of Management. Currently, more than 100 students from Arab states are studying at the State University of Management—approximately 15% of the total international student body," emphasized our Rector.

Following the forum, a cooperation agreement was signed between the State University of Management and the Association of Arab Universities (Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan).

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In early December, representatives of the interregional educational and methodological center "Project-Based Learning as a Technology for Practical Training" held an All-Russian roundtable discussion, "Project-Based Learning as a Critical Element of an Inclusive Higher Education System," at the State University of Management.

The roundtable brought together representatives of the RUMTS network, directors and specialists of inclusive university centers, teachers and methodologists, experts in inclusive education, and representatives of public organizations. It became an important part of not only the First Inclusive Youth Forum "Professional Tomorrow" but also the Second All-Russian Interuniversity Project Festival "Project Path: From Idea to Lessons Learned."

Elena Mitrofanova, Director of the Russian University of Management and Information Technologies (RUMC) at the State University of Management, opened the event with the following words: "Today we have gathered to discuss two fundamentally important areas of development in modern higher education: project-based learning and inclusivity. At first glance, these are separate areas, but their synergy opens up unique opportunities for transforming the educational environment. Project-based learning is not just a methodological tool, but a teaching philosophy that allows students to connect theory with practice, develop critical thinking, and develop teamwork skills. In turn, inclusivity is no longer just a matter of accessibility—it is becoming a key principle for building an educational environment where every participant, regardless of their health or social status, receives equal opportunities for self-realization. The combination of these themes is no coincidence. Project-based learning offers enormous potential for inclusive education: it creates conditions for individualized learning, allows for the adaptation of tasks to the specific needs of participants, and fosters a culture of mutual respect within the team." At the same time, an inclusive approach enriches project work by bringing in a diversity of views, experiences, and creative solutions.”

A wide range of topics were discussed during the roundtable. Mikhail Ovchinnikov from Chelyabinsk State University (CSU) and Larisa Semina from North Caucasus Federal University (NCFU) emphasized the importance of participating in inclusive projects for developing students' universal and professional competencies, as well as for the successful socialization of students with disabilities and special educational needs. Olga Glukhova shared her experience integrating inclusive themes into project-based learning for students at Cherepovets State University (CSU). Larisa Guterman and Victoria Dzyuba from Southern Federal University (SFedU) presented their experience of "Service Learning" as an element in developing pedagogical volunteer practices. Natalia Sheshukova from Vyatka State University (VYSU) discussed how to transition from a project to a real startup.

Several speakers shared their personal experiences implementing inclusive projects and trends in the implementation of socially significant projects. Inna Zhdanova, representing the Novosibirsk State Technical University (NSTU), spoke about producing socially significant projects, and Irina Romanova, senior lecturer and associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Psychology of Management at the State University of Management, presented examples of mini-projects on the employment of students with disabilities in the Moscow region. Elena Vinogorskaya, head of the Volunteer Headquarters of Russia's first Blind Hockey Team, "Fortuna," presented the social project "Global Game: Blind Hockey."

At the end of the roundtable, Elena Mitrofanova and Anastasia Lobacheva, Associate Professor of the Department of Human Resources at the State University of Management, presented digital tools that were first used in organizing the All-Russian Network Competition of Inclusive Student Projects "Professional Tomorrow 2025"-2025 to enhance participants' project literacy. The speakers noted that this year, we set ourselves the goal of emphasizing the championship as a project competition, so that everyone understands the elements and stages of a project and learns how to describe them effectively.

We thank all participants for their engagement, openness to dialogue and exchange of experiences.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The Moscow Startup Summit was held at SberCity, where the "SPbPU Entrepreneurial Ecosystem Development Model" was presented in the "Best University Practice" category as part of the Startup Summit Awards competition. It was ranked among the top three best practices for developing technological entrepreneurship. Over 100 Russian universities participated in the competition.

The project was prepared and presented by staff from the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship of the Advanced Engineering School of SPbPU "Digital Engineering" – Alexey Efimov, Executive Director of the Polytech Innovation Support and Development Fund and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship, and Artur Kireev, Acting Director of the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship and Associate Professor of the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship.

The awards to the SPbPU PISh representatives were presented by Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation.

The Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship is a scientific, methodological, and coordinating center for the development of technological entrepreneurship at SPbPU. It actively participates in the development of the university and national ecosystem of technological entrepreneurship.

This practice aims to create an ecosystem of technological innovation that supports the emergence and development of new ideas, projects, and technology startups, and is focused on the development of both small and large innovative enterprises in national and international markets.

The ecosystem brings together structures and activities that help students become familiar with entrepreneurship, develop the necessary skills, and implement both their own projects and build a portfolio.

The model includes 4 levels of involvement of students and university staff in entrepreneurship.

Promoting Technological Entrepreneurship Development Scaling/Professional Training in Technological Entrepreneurship Internationalization

The goal of university-wide educational events is to develop students' basic soft skills necessary for entrepreneurship, as well as project management skills.

The second level is attended by students interested in defending their final theses in the "Startup as a Diploma" format, as well as participants in various competitive programs and accelerators.

An expert council supports students during the preparation of their final qualifying work as a startup. Defenses in the "Final Qualification as a Startup" format have been held at the Polytechnic University since 2021. A total of 59 students have defended their theses in this format.

The next stage is training specialists in a specialized master's program in technological entrepreneurship at the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship and the University of Entrepreneurs.

During their studies, students are given the opportunity to create and develop their own project, which could later become the basis for their own business. Their final project is either a technology startup or a research project. Upon completion of their studies, master's students present a portfolio of completed projects or a startup ready for launch.

The fourth level is working with projects with the aim of bringing them to the international level.

The goal of the international polytechnic accelerator is to select and develop projects for subsequent submission to the largest accelerators in China, India, Brazil, and the Middle East.

The overall goal of the model is to create a sustainable, end-to-end innovation environment that unites education, science, technology, and business, facilitates the generation and implementation of technology startups, and trains specialists capable of entrepreneurship in knowledge-intensive industries and digital transformation.

The model builds a continuous, practice-oriented trajectory from idea to scaling through direct interaction with industry and venture capital funds. This transforms Polytechnic University into a unified ecosystem where students at various stages of their studies can create projects with market potential.

Winning the competition once again confirmed the validity of SPbPU's strategy for developing technological entrepreneurship. The Russian Government views university technological entrepreneurship as one of the drivers for creating the conditions for achieving technological leadership. In this regard, one of the key objectives is to better familiarize the university's research teams with the opportunities for commercializing applied research results through startups, shared Artur Kireev.

Alexey Efimov added: "The Moscow Startup Summit Awards demonstrated that the most in-demand models for developing university technology entrepreneurship are systemic models of end-to-end engagement and support for startup initiatives, aimed at developing the university ecosystem in collaboration with educational and industrial partners."

This material was prepared with the support of a grant from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science as part of the Decade of Science and Technology.

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The Winter University in Engineering Sciences, "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies," concluded at Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The event was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, the Federal State Autonomous Institution "Sociocenter," and hosted by the SPbPU Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering," in collaboration with SPbPU International Services and the SPbPU Applicant Services Center.

The main goal of the Winter University is to strengthen ties and expand collaboration between young engineers, as well as to develop engineering competencies and improve the qualifications of students in areas such as digital technologies, systems digital engineering, and artificial intelligence.

Over 200 third- and fourth-year undergraduate students in engineering and technical fields participated in the two-week intensive course. This year, the list of participating countries was significantly expanded. Students from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Armenia, Tajikistan, South Africa, China, Iran, and India were joined by students from Serbia, Cuba, and Indonesia. In total, students from 44 universities participated in the Winter University.

We provided participants of the Winter University in Engineering Sciences, held at SPbPU's Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering," with a unique opportunity to quickly advance their knowledge in digital engineering, enterprise digital transformation, and the use of artificial intelligence technologies. "I am confident that the Winter University's scientific and educational program in Engineering Sciences will further strengthen collaboration among universities from different countries and combine competencies to achieve technological leadership and build a sustainable and dynamic economy," commented Alexey Borovkov, Chief Designer for SPbPU's key scientific and technological development area, "Systemic Digital Engineering," and Director of SPbPU's Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering."

To improve the quality of the events, specialists from SPbPU's Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering" spent two weeks collecting feedback from Winter University students on all aspects of the educational project, from the quality of the curriculum to the food service. Participants highly praised the overall organization of the event and expressed a positive impression of the entire project. On a scale of 1 to 10, students rated all indicators above 9.

Among the educational modules and activities, young engineers found the Topology Optimization Design Lab (9.9 points), the Digital Transformation and Lean Manufacturing Lab (9.8 points), and the Polymer Composite Materials Lab (9.7 points) particularly interesting. They also enjoyed the composition and format of the engineering competitions and project quiz. The Winter University program at the SPbPU PSI School consisted of technical modules, lectures, workshops, business games, an introductory Russian language course for English-speaking students, and a cultural and entertainment program.

As part of the "Engineer" track, the "Modern Engineering in High-Tech Industries" module was taught by specialists from the Winter University's industrial partner, the Kronstadt Engineering Education Center. The module was supervised by Igor Perevozchikov, Head of the Change Lab at the Kronstadt Engineering Center. Students not only immersed themselves in the theory of modern engineering and learned about real-life processes in the partner's production facilities and laboratory complexes, but also completed a number of practical assignments: they built 3D models based on their own measurements, conducted a materials analysis, and reverse-engineered a component.

At the Digital Transformation and Lean Manufacturing Lab, young engineers were introduced to the concept of lean manufacturing, studied its approaches and tools for reducing waste, tried their hand at managing a modern enterprise in the Lean Manufacturing computer simulator, and carried out a digital transformation of an enterprise using the Digital Transformation of an Enterprise digital simulator.

The "Supply Chain Management" educational module introduced Winter University participants to the "New Industrial Challenge" computer simulator. In a competitive game format, students were tasked with effectively managing production and the supply chain, while following market trends, to achieve the best economic results. The simulators were developed by experts from SPbPU's Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering" and are based on the CML-Bench®.EDU Digital Platform, a separate area of the Digital Platform for the development and application of CML-Bench® digital twins for training and competency assessment.

As part of the "Aircraft Wing Aerodynamics" module, students participated in the "Energy Strategy: Power System Management" case study game, designed to introduce the fundamentals of the energy industry through a game-like approach. The game mechanics are based on business simulation. Participants were tasked with building an optimal national power system, taking into account both economic efficiency and environmental requirements.

The Winter University also hosted an Engineering Championship to determine the best designers. Teams built catapults from scrap materials and competed in throwing their "projectiles" the farthest. First place went to a team from Armenia (Russian-Armenian University), second place to a team from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (Kostanay Social and Technical University named after Academician Zulkharnay Aldamjar, Tashkent State Technical University named after Islam Karimov), and third place to a team from India and Indonesia (Savitribai Phule University in Pune, University of Indonesia).

An important part of the Winter University was the cultural program, during which students visited the Yusupov Palace, the Hermitage, the Fabergé Museum, and the suburbs of St. Petersburg – the towns of Pushkin and Kronstadt.

The Winter University "Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies" was a celebration of knowledge, challenging tasks, and new connections, and evoked a wealth of positive emotions among its participants.

Miloš Panjevas, University of Belgrade: I think the program is an amazing experience, both culturally and educationally. The connections we make with different cultures, the way we explore Russian history and landmarks alongside Iranians, Cubans, Indians, Chinese, South Africans, and Uzbeks… It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Plus, St. Petersburg is beautiful, and I definitely have to see it this summer—it's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever been to. The lectures really broadened my thinking and inspired me to try my hand at innovation and startups, for example.

Khoiakbar Ostankulov, Andijan State Technical Institute: Thank you very much for everything. I really enjoyed this program and expanded my knowledge. I will definitely recommend it to other students.

Elina Denezhkina, SPbPU: The energy system creation game was very interesting; the time flew by, thanks so much to the organizers! Even I, a thermal power engineering student, would have thought it would have been boring, considering I've been studying this for four years, but it wasn't. I really enjoyed this format.

Feruza Abdulla kizi Mirzakhakimova, Fergana State Technical University: During the wing aerodynamics class, we participated in a very interesting and engaging game; everyone in the group was engaged. Thank you very much for your innovative approach to teaching. The engineering championship was also very interesting.

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The St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted the 3rd International Scientific and Practical Conference of the Russian-African Network University (RAFU) consortium, "The Contribution of Russian and African Universities to Sustainable Regional Development." The event, held in a hybrid format, provided a platform for dialogue between representatives of over 100 RAFU member universities from 15 countries, ministries, embassies, Russian and African universities, and research centers.

Before the conference, the Polytechnic University, as the coordinator of the RAFU consortium, held a general meeting of RAFU member universities to review their work for 2025 and outline future plans. Stepan Sokolov, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, addressed the participants with a welcoming address.

He noted the dynamic development of educational cooperation: "The consortium has expanded significantly over the past three years. It currently includes over 100 Russian and 68 African organizations from 16 countries. This year, 17 organizations from Mali joined—this is the result of your recent working trip."

Sokolov also emphasized the increase in state quotas for African students and the importance of creating permanent Russian language study centers on the continent.

In his speech, Dmitry Arsenyev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs at SPbPU and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized the role of RAFU as an effective platform for cooperation: RAFU has become recognized internationally as a platform for developing Russian-African educational, scientific, and cultural interaction. Our goal for the future is to enrich the consortium's activities with real projects, joint educational programs, and scientific research.

Presentations were given by representatives of universities and research institutes from Russia, Algeria, Morocco, Mali, Cameroon, South Africa, Guinea, Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Uganda, Nigeria, and other countries. Topics discussed ranged from the development of artificial intelligence, agriculture, and medicine to the social responsibility of universities, Russian language studies, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

Ousmane Mariko, Technical Advisor for Administrative and Institutional Affairs at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Republic of Mali, delivered a welcoming speech. He emphasized that Mali ranks first among African countries in the number of universities participating in the RAFU (27 universities), and that the ministry itself employs many graduates of Russian universities. Mr. Mariko proposed sending over 30 Malian students to study in Russia next year, demonstrating the dynamic development of the partnership within the consortium.

One of the key events of the conference was a speech by Pindi Hazara Chana, Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism of the United Republic of Tanzania, who noted her country's long-standing and strong ties with Russia in the field of education. She cited her own experience, having received an education in the USSR, and reported that today, more than 3,000 Tanzanians are graduates of Russian universities, and more than 100 students are currently studying in Russia.

Alla Mazina, Secretary of the RAFU Presidium and Deputy Head of the International Cooperation Department at SPbPU, spoke about the practical work within the consortium.

In her report, she highlighted two major projects of the year: In addition to the Summer Multidisciplinary University, which in 2025 brought together 315 students from 37 countries, a key event was supporting the reform of higher education in the Republic of Mali. An expert group of nine Russian universities from the Russian Federal University of Russia (RAFU) developed 29 core educational programs in priority areas for Mali.

The 3rd RAFU conference clearly demonstrated that the Russian-African Network University, coordinated by St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, has become a tangible tool for launching educational and scientific projects that promote sustainable development and strengthen partnerships between Russia and African countries.

The speakers shared best practices for promoting the Russian language and Russian education in Africa, developing joint educational programs, preparing African applicants for admission to Russian universities, and implementing professional development programs for African university faculty. Many of the presentations were practical in nature and presented the results of joint research projects. These joint research projects cover areas of importance to African countries, such as geology, construction, meteorology, agriculture, alternative energy, medicine, ecology, and natural resource management.

The conference has already become a traditional annual event As part of the activities of the Russian Federal University of Agriculture, it confirmed its importance as a discussion platform for joint projects, scientific research, and the exchange of experience between universities in Russia and Africa.

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 –

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The White Hall of the Polytechnic University hosted celebrations dedicated to Lawyer's Day and the opening of the annual Polytechnic Legal Forum, Polylex.

"The Polytechnic University's Higher School of Law and Forensic Science has been training specialists for law enforcement, economics, social work, and engineering and technology for over 20 years," noted Dmitry Mokhorov, Director of the Higher School of Law and Forensic Science, in his welcoming address. "And every year, our traditional events—the Polytechnic Legal Forum PolyLex and the conference 'Problems of Law in Modern Russia'—bring together within our university's walls an increasing number of representatives from legislative and executive authorities at all levels, the courts and prosecutors, law enforcement agencies and the expert community, academia, and business. They share experiences and, of course, strengthen the Polytechnic University's image not only as a leading engineering university but also as a stronghold of legal education—one of the pillars of civil society."

On Lawyer's Day, the Higher School of Jurisprudence and Forensic Science received congratulatory messages and wishes for the further development of legal education at the Polytechnic University from the IPA CIS, deputies of the State Duma, the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, and the Legislative Assembly of St. Petersburg, employees and heads of operational and investigative departments of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, prosecutors, judges and specialists from the judicial system, the tax service, the bailiff service, and the legal and expert communities.

Maxim Aleksandrovich Pasholikov, Vice-Rector for Information, Youth Policy, and Security, noted that we are working together to move from import substitution to technological leadership—and that lawyers are always on guard for justice.

It's no coincidence that there's always been a close bond between engineers and lawyers at the Polytechnic University! Happy Lawyer's Day! concluded Maxim Pasholikov.

Alexey Zinchuk, a member of the 7th St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, is a regular guest at the Higher School of Law and Technical Education (HSLE). He told those gathered in the hall about the origins of the holiday and wished the students to learn the "art of kindness and justice," which is the essence of jurisprudence.

Deputy Head of the Akademicheskoe Municipal Formation and Municipal Council Member Lyubov Vasilyeva conveyed congratulations on behalf of the deputies on their professional holiday and presented certificates of gratitude for their contribution to the development of legal education from the Akademicheskoe Municipal Formation.

Natalia Ivanovna, Head of the Department for Bank Interest Protection in Corporate Business and Government Relations at the Legal Department of Sberbank's North-West Bank, noted in her speech the contribution of Polytechnic University to the development of the legal profession. This is confirmed by the achievements of Polytechnic University students—winners and laureates of the legal competition "Lex Battle: Knowledge of the Law is Your Main Weapon. Northwestern Federal District."

"Lex Battle" was a quiz contest in which students from 10 leading law schools across the country participated. And the Polytechnic University team demonstrated in practice that a technical university trains accomplished legal professionals! "A huge thank you to the Polytechnic University faculty and administration for your contribution to the development of our legal science and the preparation of students—future lawyers," Natalia Ivanovna emphasized.

Ekaterina Chumakova, Chief Expert of the Forensic Center of the Transport Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, wished everyone in the hall a love for their chosen profession and also invited students to internships and service: "We truly appreciate graduates of the Polytechnic University – Higher School of Law and Technical Education. Because your diploma is a guarantee of excellent knowledge and a high level of training!"

Anna Lebedeva, First Vice-Rector of the St. Petersburg Law Institute, congratulated those gathered on Lawyer's Day and emphasized that law is the right choice. The knowledge students acquire at the St. Petersburg School of Law and Systematics will serve as a foundation for their professional careers.

Students also participated in the event. Polina Taranenko, a student at the Higher School of Law and Technical Engineering, performed a congratulatory song for everyone, first-year law students prepared a captivating "Legal Waltz," and volunteers from the "Polytechnic Squad" recited heartfelt poems.

Dmitry Mokhorov, Director of the Higher School of Law and STE, concluded the ceremony. He spoke about the achievements of legal education at the Polytechnic University: academic successes, student victories in competitions and grants, career guidance, international collaboration, publication activity, and sports awards.

"We proudly carry the banner of being the flagship of legal education at one of the country's most innovative universities," Dmitry Anatolyevich concluded.

Following the ceremony, invited guests visited the Polytechnic Museum, and the administration of the Higher School of Economics conducted a tour of the laboratories of the Higher School of Economics and Technology.

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.