"The most important things for a civil servant are responsibility, service, and simplicity": Rosmolodezh Director Grigory Gurov gave a masterclass lecture for GUU students.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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On October 21, 2025, the Scientific Library of the State University of Management hosted a master lecture by Grigory Gurov, Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh), Associate Professor of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration at the State University of Management.

Before the main part of the event, Anna Khaustova, program director of the Boiling Point at the State University of Management, introduced students to the results of a study conducted by the Center for Sociological Research "14-35" on the perception of spiritual and moral values among young people.

The lecturer was introduced by Sergei Chuev, Advisor to the Rector's Office and Head of the Department of Public and Municipal Administration at the State University of Management, who also noted that many of the Rosmolodezh leadership are graduates or employees of our university.

At the beginning of the meeting, Grigory Gurov briefly spoke about his family, university life, and his entry into youth politics.

"For me, working in youth policy is a matter of personal choice. If you want to do something, do it yourself, don't look for someone else to blame for the problem. Youth policy allows you to try out different roles and choose your future profession," the head of Rosmolodezh shared his opinion.

In his presentation, the speaker described the work of the federal agency he heads, which, despite its significant government status, must also be attractive to all categories of young people. Grigory Gurov focused on the national project "Youth and Children," the "Region for Young People" program, and grant support opportunities for student initiatives.

Before beginning his dialogue with the audience, the lecturer was presented with an album of his student photographs and a newspaper article from 2007. In answering questions, Grigory Gurov, in his characteristic manner, was extremely frank, speaking simply and fluently, in the same language as the students.

Please give three pieces of advice to students who want to work as civil servants.

"I didn't want that from the start. I've always been an ordinary person, simply resolving issues as they arose. And I still want to be perceived fairly, even if I arrive at the ministry not in a black car, but on a scooter. I don't like the Byzantine tradition of sanctifying power. But I'm not criticizing this attitude; it has its right to exist, it's just not my thing. So if I had to single out three essential qualities for a civil servant, I would say responsibility, service, and simplicity."

What are the deciding criteria for grant application approval?

"It's always a combination of factors. First and foremost, you need to understand whether the applicant understands the issue, has their own understanding, and genuine interest. This is immediately noticeable, so a grant may be awarded to someone who didn't initially fill out the best application but is genuinely interested in their project. Honesty is everything."

How did you present your student activism experience during interviews?

"To be honest, I wasn't an activist. And I wasn't the best student, which isn't something I'd say in this room. And I've never been to a standard interview where you walk in off the street to an unfamiliar company. I was helped by the horizontal connections I'd developed while participating in youth policy projects. This isn't nepotism; what's most important here is knowing the strengths and weaknesses of those you've previously collaborated with on projects."

Why doesn't the government pay enough attention to the psychological well-being of young people? And does Rosmolodezh have any psychological support programs?

"I think this is very important, and besides, my wife is a psychologist. And Rosmolodezh used to have a full-time specialist. But it's difficult for state institutions to quickly adapt to new trends; there are certain limitations, so first we need to develop appropriate formats and establish a documentary basis. At the same time, we shouldn't think of a psychologist as a panacea. These days, it's sometimes just a fashionable pastime. We need to learn self-analysis and learn how to strengthen ourselves from within."

What are the main goals of Rosmolodezh today?

"First and foremost, this is the implementation of the 'Youth and Children' project. Another important goal is increasing the proportion of people who believe in the possibilities of self-fulfillment in Russia. And great efforts are being made to attract troubled teenagers into our orbit."

How to get an internship at Rosmolodezh?

"It's very simple – just submit an official request. We usually don't refuse."

Can you say that you found yourself in youth politics?

"As a doubter, I can't say that. Maybe I can do something just as good in my life."

At the end of the meeting, the head of Rosmolodezh signed a book for the SUM Scientific Library and, on a simple piece of paper, provided contact information for the student who had not hesitated to ask about the internship.

We thank Grigory Gurov for the engaging conversation and encourage our students to embrace the many opportunities offered by the diverse extracurricular activities at SUM.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 22, 2025.

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.

The Crown of a Belle Époque: The Anniversary of Joseph Brodsky's Nobel Prize

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Source: Official website of the State –

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On October 22, 1987, the outstanding Russian poet Joseph Brodsky was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature with the following statement: "For his comprehensive work, imbued with clarity of thought and poetic intensity."

Joseph Brodsky was born on May 24, 1940, in Leningrad. During the siege of Leningrad, his family managed to evacuate to Cherepovets, and from then on, moving became a permanent part of the poet's life. He dreamed of becoming a sailor and a doctor, but instead worked as a milling machine operator, a stoker, and a lighthouse keeper. He participated in geological expeditions to the White Sea, Eastern Siberia, and Yakutia, and even participated in the discovery of a small uranium deposit. Throughout this time, he read prolifically and taught himself English and Polish.

Nineteen-year-old Brodsky's first public appearance took place at a poetry tournament at the Gorky Palace of Culture in Leningrad. The young author immediately became a household name, and he entered the literary circles of the northern capital, meeting Anna Akhmatova, Bulat Okudzhava, Sergei Dovlatov, and many others.

"You know, I'm leaving my homeland…"

In the 1960s, Joseph Brodsky, along with many other literary figures, was hounded in the press and accused of parasitism, despite officially publishing in children's magazines and translating. He was arrested twice and exiled to the Arkhangelsk region. Against this backdrop, as well as his break with his lifelong muse, the artist Marianna Basmanova (many of his poems are dedicated to M.B.), the psychological problems that had plagued him since childhood worsened.

Samuil Marshak, Korney Chukovsky, Alexander Tvardovsky, Konstantin Paustovsky, Dmitry Shostakovich, and even Jean-Paul Sartre issued official letters in defense of the poet. In 1965, after a year and a half of exile, Brodsky was released early. Nevertheless, he became persona non grata in the USSR. Only four of his adult poems were published, although he was already quite famous abroad and became a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts. In 1972, the poet was asked to leave the country. His letter to Brezhnev asking him to stay at least as a translator went unanswered. The documents were processed in just 12 days, although such a process could usually drag on for up to a year.

Joseph Brodsky settled in the United States, where he accepted a position as "visiting poet" at the University of Michigan. Over the next 24 years, he held professorships at six American and British universities, taught the history of Russian literature and Russian and world poetry, and gave lectures and poetry readings in Canada, England, Ireland, France, Sweden, and Italy. His favorite city was Venice, which became the silent heroine of many of his poems.

“Yes, my heart is breaking even harder…”

On October 22, 1987, Joseph Brodsky was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. He became the fifth Russian laureate, following Ivan Bunin, Boris Pasternak, Mikhail Sholokhov, and Alexander Solzhenitsyn. Like Solzhenitsyn, rehabilitation awaited him in his homeland, but unlike Solzhenitsyn, Brodsky was unable to return, embarrassed by the increased media attention and fearing for his health after several heart attacks.

The great poet died of sudden cardiac arrest on the night of January 27–28, 1996, in the study of his New York apartment. A bilingual collection of Greek epigrams lay open on the table. According to his own wishes, he was buried in Venice's San Michele Cemetery between the graves of Igor Stravinsky and Sergei Diaghilev.

In the history of Russian poetry, Brodsky remains one of the most masterful wordsmiths, striking in his rich metaphors, complex rhythmic patterns, and broken rhymes. Themes of time and space, love and loneliness, language and geometry, antiquity and the sea run vividly through his work.

We will remain a crumpled cigarette butt, a spit, in the shadow under the bench, where the corner does not allow the sun to penetrate, and we will be compacted in an embrace with the dirt, counting the days, into humus, into sediment, into a cultural layer.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 22, 2025.

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.

Andrey Rudskoy became an Honorary Professor of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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A delegation from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, led by Rector and RAS Academician Andrey Rudskoy, visited Al-Farabi Kazakh National University. A ceremony was held in Almaty to award Andrey Rudskoy the title of Honorary Professor of KazNU—the university's highest award, given for outstanding contributions to the development of international scientific and educational cooperation.

"This is a great honor and a symbol of the brotherhood between our universities. For me, this is not only a personal recognition, but also a sign of respect for the Polytechnic University team and for the strong bonds of friendship and professional collaboration that unite St. Petersburg and Almaty, Russia and Kazakhstan," Andrey Ivanovich noted.

The key event of the visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between SPbPU and KazNU in the field of supercomputer technologies by the rectors of the two universities, Andrey Rudskoy and Zhanseit Tuymebayev.

The agreement provides for joint work in the fields of high-performance computing, digital modeling, and artificial intelligence. The parties agreed to establish a working group to develop supercomputer centers, exchange experience in operating petaflop-class computing systems, conduct courses on programming and supercomputer applications, and implement joint research projects and grant programs.

KazNU Rector Zhanseit Tuimebayev, an Honorary Doctor of SPbPU and a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, emphasized that this agreement will be an important step toward technological sovereignty and the development of engineering competencies in Kazakhstan.

SPbPU and KazNU have enjoyed a long-standing partnership. The first cooperation agreement was signed in 2015 and renewed in 2023. During this time, dozens of projects in engineering, biotechnology, and the humanities have been implemented.

Joint initiatives include an international project to develop an applied curriculum for space exploration and intelligent robotic systems, an online course on the Coursera platform, "Molecular Biology Methods," a conference, "New Paths to Decarbonizing the Economy," and the participation of KazNU students in the SPbPU Winter University in Engineering Sciences.

In 2025, the universities jointly submitted an application for a grant competition from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science and the SCO countries to develop AI-based software for urban transport systems. During their visit to Kazakhstan, the Polytechnic University delegation visited laboratories, innovation clusters, and the KazNU supercomputer center, the Al-Farabi Library, and the university's science museum.

SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy emphasized: "I will make every effort to honorably fulfill the mission of Honorary Professor, promote the development of friendly ties between our universities, and strengthen scientific, educational, and cultural bridges between Russia and Kazakhstan."

Photo: KazNU press service

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Career Change: A New Format of Dialogue between Business and Universities

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The "Career Change" conference, a meeting of employers, university career center staff, and representatives of the city's student communities, took place in St. Petersburg. The event was organized by Nexign and the Career Development Department of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University.

The event was attended by representatives of the city's leading universities, employers from the IT, industrial, manufacturing, and other sectors, as well as students and career activists.

The main goal of the meeting was to discuss new trends in university-business collaboration and create a platform for lively dialogue and professional networking. The conference opened with a "Break Analysis" session dedicated to current changes in the labor market.

The discussion, moderated by Egor Kosarev (Nexign), was attended by: Ekaterina Sklyarenko (hh.ru North-West), Valeria Tenyaeva (Nexign), Anastasia Gerasimova (SPbU), Maya Rusakova (Center for Applied Sociology, SPbU), Svetlana Karelina (ETU "LETI"), and Valentina Tarnovskaya (Glavstroy St. Petersburg).

Experts discussed key challenges of our time.

How have the expectations of young professionals changed? Why are companies increasingly seeking support from universities? How can we build trust between generations of employers and students?

Later, university representatives discussed new approaches to partnering with companies. Elvira Tuktamysheva, Head of SPbPU's Employment Support Sector, shared Polytechnic University practices. Her presentation focused on building comfortable and mutually beneficial relationships with employers to advance students' careers.

Elvira Tuktamysheva: We're moving from a "request-based" approach to genuine collaboration with employers. It's a win-win approach, benefiting both companies and students. And by involving our students in co-organizing these events, we don't forget to consider the young people's opinions.

During the final session, representatives from Pulkovo, Baltika, and Nexign shared their experiences with onboarding interns, mentoring, and fostering a culture of trust within teams. The event concluded with informal networking and contact exchanges—a true "big break"—where employers and universities discussed joint projects and ideas for the new academic year.

Career Change became a platform where business and education came together to discuss the future—the people, professions, and meanings that define the new generation of professionals.

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.

The Case Club Forum at the Polytechnic University launched new partnership projects between universities.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University hosted the interregional educational intensive "Case Club Forum," bringing together student activists from universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

The event was initiated and organized by students from the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade—members of the Polytechnic University's Case Club. Participants discussed the development of the case method, shared experiences organizing student projects, and tried their hand at a team case championship.

The forum served as a platform for communication between representatives of student associations developing the case study movement at their universities. The event's main goal was to foster sustainable communication between student activists from different cities. The intensive course aims to develop student self-governance, support career initiatives, and enhance participants' competencies in project management, communications, and business case analysis.

Teams from leading universities in Moscow and St. Petersburg took part in the forum, including SPbPU, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, State University of Management, Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, the St. Petersburg branch of the National Research University Higher School of Economics, ITMO University, and GSOM SPbU.

The forum program included a networking session, a practical part featuring a case championship, and a lecture by a representative of Kept. Participants presented the activities of their case clubs, shared stories of completed projects, and exchanged ideas for improving communication between associations. Particular attention was paid to discussing methods for effectively organizing events, engaging students in case championships, and communicating with partners.

The practical portion of the intensive course included a local case championship, where teams from the clubs tackled the problem of increasing a company's profitability in the IT services market. Participants demonstrated high-quality solutions, presented to experts, and received feedback. The Moscow team from the State University of Management won the championship. This format allowed for a combination of educational and competitive elements, as well as practical application of acquired knowledge.

The forum concluded with a lecture on business processes given by a representative of Kept. Participants not only expanded their professional knowledge but also strengthened their connections: the organizers exchanged contacts, discussed prospects for collaboration, and outlined plans for the future.

Participants considered the forum an important step toward creating a unified space for student case clubs to collaborate. It contributed to strengthening partnerships between Moscow and St. Petersburg universities and laid the foundation for joint projects.

The case club forum became not only a platform for sharing experiences but also a step toward developing a professional community of students interested in case studies and modern business analysis tools, notes project director and IPMEiT student Tatyana Tkachuk.

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.

Students of the State University of Management got acquainted with the latest developments in the automotive industry

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Source: Official website of the State –

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Participants of the State University of Management's "Spectrum of Innovations" acceleration program visited the Smart engineering center.

At the beginning of this semester, second-year students in the "Logistics and Supply Chain Management" program selected a project from an industrial partner. The client was Dream Auto LLC, a member of the "Union of Automotive Services" partner association. The students' project, tentatively titled "High Tier," aims to develop a business for establishing an electric vehicle service station. Modern digital technologies are used to address the challenges of business organization and customer service.

Collaboration with businesses has significantly expanded students' opportunities. In addition to mastering entrepreneurial skills through specialized training, students have the opportunity to visit industry-specific enterprises during project days, where they gain insight into engineering practices and develop their technical competencies. Last Thursday, students visited an engineering center specializing in the maintenance and repair of electric vehicles.

During the excursion, students learned about the internal workings of electric vehicles, the specifics of battery operation, and their service life and replacement. For example, repairs can take as little as 3-4 hours, but the main shortage is qualified personnel. To become an electric vehicle diagnostician, electricians must undergo advanced training: a one-month basic course; a six-day course on high-voltage architecture.

In essence, GUU students are becoming familiar with cutting-edge engineering developments that will shape business philosophy and the face of industry. Electric mobility isn't just a change in engine type; it's a new industry and new professions. The future is already here, and it demands new knowledge and competencies.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 22, 2025.

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.

Artificial Intelligence in Media: Polytechnics at a Forum in Dushanbe

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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A large-scale media forum, bringing together 100 young professionals from Russia and Tajikistan, was successfully held in Dushanbe at the Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University. The key topic of this year's forum was artificial intelligence and its potential for the youth media community in both countries.

Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky addressed the participants with a welcoming address: "Scientific and educational issues occupy a prominent place on the agenda of the Russian-Tajik bilateral dialogue. Suffice it to mention the Russian-Tajik (Slavic) University itself, where we have gathered today and which combines the best practices of both educational systems. RTSU is currently developing successfully and enjoys a vibrant university life. I would like to especially thank Rector Mashrab Kurbonali for his significant contribution to the preparation of our media forum today, which brought together over a hundred participants."

Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was represented at the forum by students from the Higher School of International Relations, Grigory Bushuev, Alisa Merkulova, and Ivan Tkachuk.

At the forum, my colleagues from Tajikistan and I practiced our professional skills and learned how to create high-quality content. For example, we learned about trends and how to shape them ourselves. Our impressions were excellent! The organization was top-notch, and the Tajik side demonstrated exceptional hospitality," Ivan Tkachuk shared.

Over the course of three days, participants enjoyed a rich educational program: lectures, workshops, and teamwork on creating content dedicated to artificial intelligence.

The media forum marked an important milestone in strengthening humanitarian ties between Russia and Tajikistan, providing young professionals with the opportunity for professional dialogue, exchange of experiences, and the implementation of joint projects.

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.

The future of construction engineering was discussed at the Polytechnic University.

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Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The Polytechnic University hosted the 2nd All-Russian Conference "Development of the Technical Customer Institute. Exchange of Best Practices and Technologies in Construction Project Management," organized by the National Association of Technical Customers and Other Organizations in Engineering and Construction Management (NOTEKH). The event was supported by the Ministry of Construction, Housing, and Utilities of the Russian Federation, the Main Directorate of State Expertise, and the public-law company "Single Customer in Construction." The SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering served as a business partner for the conference. The event brought together representatives of investors, customers, and other key participants in investment and construction projects from across Russia.

The official portion of the first day of the conference began with the 2nd All-Russian Meeting of the NOTECH Association, "Development of the Technical Contractor Institute." The meeting focused on the development of the construction management market in Russia, the activities of the NOTECH Association, the regulatory framework for contracting, and the digitalization of investment and construction project management. Special attention was paid to best practices in training specialists, current professional standards, and tools for developing human resources in the construction industry. Alexey Nikitin, President of the NOTECH Association, moderated the session.

Alexander Lomakin, First Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Utilities of the Russian Federation and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the NOTECH Association, addressed the meeting participants with a welcoming speech.

The construction community currently faces important challenges stemming from the adoption of the Strategy for the Development of the Construction Industry of the Russian Federation until 2030 with an outlook to 2035. The Russian Ministry of Construction consistently continues to improve the construction industry, including in the areas of regulatory and technical regulation, streamlining administrative procedures, and creating transparent conditions for the implementation of investment projects in the regions. The conference is a platform for professional networking, developing new solutions, and sharing best practices. I expect that the event will result in the proposal of systemic measures to strengthen the role of technical clients, which will be reflected in regulations and practices for technical clients in both commercial and government agencies, noted Alexander Lomakin.

At the meeting, Marina Petrochenko, Director of the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering, presented a paper entitled "A New Model for Training Technical Customer Specialists: SPbPU—NOTEKH Association." She discussed changes in higher education—the transition from a two-tier training system to a comprehensive, single-cycle model within a 4-6-year specialist degree program. Particular attention was paid to the joint corporate master's program "Organization and Management of Investment and Construction Projects" between SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering and the NOTEKH Association. This program aims to train a new generation of specialists—technical customers 4.0—proficient in digital engineering technologies, lifecycle management, and AI/TIM tools, as well as the scaling of the advanced training program "Technical Customer: From Strategy to Practice."

Today, it is especially important to unite the efforts of educational and professional communities to develop a new model for training construction engineers and managers. St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is ready to serve as a platform for combining competencies and resources to create a relevant, practice-oriented training program for construction technical customer specialists, noted Marina Petrochenko.

At the conclusion of the plenary session, the President of the NOTECH Association, Alexey Nikitin, presented a letter of gratitude to Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Civil Engineering Institute, for her cooperation and active participation in organizing the conference.

The first day of the conference also featured a project-based interactive session dedicated to the practical aspects of technical customer operations, a roundtable discussion titled "Under the Auspices of Olympus. Organizing Interaction with Banks, Solving Financial and Technical Control Issues," a panel discussion, and a practical conference titled "Team in the Picture. Traditions and Innovations in Training Engineering and Management Specialists." A special event at the conference was the student track. Polytechnic students participated in an interactive business game titled "Field Construction Management" hosted by IRBIS Engineering Corporation and Gazprom TsPS.

The second day of the conference began with a signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the NOTEX Association and the NAVIBRIS Engineering Knowledge Platform. This was followed by a panel discussion, where participants discussed digitalization in practice, digital documentation, and the maturity of technical clients. Other topics included a roundtable discussion, "Risk Management in Construction Today: Myths and Reality," a visionary discussion, "Infrastructure Breakthrough: Implementing Russia's National Urban Development Projects," and a joint roundtable discussion between the NOTEX Association and RBC, "Customer Service in Engineering and Construction Management."

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.

SPbGASU won two nominations in the All-Russian competition of educational programs using nanoCAD software products.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering won the prestigious All-Russian competition for educational programs using the domestic nanoCAD software.

The competition committee was chaired by Russian Senator Ivan Yevstifeyev, a member of the Federation Council Committee on Economic Policy. Representatives from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, and the Ministry of Construction, Housing and Utilities of Russia participated in the awards ceremony.

The University demonstrated outstanding results, winning awards in two key competition categories:

In the category of building structures and architecture, the Department of Architectural and Civil Engineering at SPbGASU won; in the category of utility networks, the Department shared first place with Privolzhsky State Transport University (Samara). In this category, the Department of Heat, Gas, and Ventilation at SPbGASU and the Department of Railway Power Supply at Privolzhsky State Transport University shared first place.

Leading Russian architectural and civil engineering universities participated in the competition, organized by Nanosoft Development LLC. Winning in two categories confirms the high level of training of SPbGASU's faculty, the effectiveness of its teaching methods, and their relevance to modern design technologies.

Successful participation in the competition is a significant achievement for our university, demonstrating the quality of our educational programs and the professionalism of our teaching staff. The use of domestic software allows us to train specialists who fully meet the demands of the modern labor market.

These results will stimulate the further development of SPbGASU's educational programs and the introduction of advanced technologies into the educational process. The university will continue to refine its teaching methods using modern CAD systems.

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.

The Romance of Archaeological Expeditions: "We Lived in a Greenhouse, from Which We Brought Out Seedlings, Snakes, and Bears"

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Source: Novosibirsk State University –

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The exhibition "Everyday Life and Romance of Archaeographic Expeditions (for the Anniversary of Archaeography in Siberia)" opened at NSU during the All-Russian scientific conference "Source Studies of Old Russian Literature and Language (Archaeography, Textual Criticism, Poetics)," which took place from October 16-18. It features photographs from various years and personal belongings of the participants of the early expeditions—from canvas jackets and sneakers, camping utensils and notebooks to ship tickets and early printed books.

Many participants at the exhibition's opening ceremony recognized themselves in old photographs and reminisced about trekking through the taiga, traveling to the expedition site by steamship, and being welcomed by the Old Believers in their settlements. And, of course, they spoke of their mentors and teachers. Many warm words were spoken about the founder of archaeographic expeditions, Elena Dergacheva-Skop. Grateful students remembered her as an energetic, thorough, and very cheerful woman, dedicated to science and passionate about her work. It was she who drew many of those present into the amazing world of ancient manuscripts, early printed and handwritten books, awakening in them the passion for scientific inquiry and the desire for new discoveries. Not all of them subsequently dedicated their careers to archaeography, but they did not abandon their scientific work and continued their research in other fields.

NSU Rector and RAS Academician Mikhail Fedoruk attended the exhibition opening. He noted the significant contribution of NSU Humanities Institute researchers to science and the significance of their expeditionary work. Then, Ekaterina Turuk, a research fellow at the NSU Humanities Institute's Laboratory of Archaeography and Source Studies, spoke about the exhibition and the most interesting exhibits on display.

This exhibition is dedicated to the 60th anniversary of archaeological expeditions to Siberia, the very date when Elena Ivanovna Dergacheva-Skop, Vladimir Nikolaevich Alekseev, and Elena Konstantinovna Romodanovskaya, a staff member of the Institute of History, Philology, and Philosophy of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, led our philology students on their first trip to the Siberian Old Believers. Since then, these expeditions have become regular events. We envisioned a slightly lyrical, romantic, and even homely feel to this exhibition, hence its title. It turned out that the personal belongings of the archaeological expedition participants represent the everyday life, while the photographs they provided provide the romantic touch. We are grateful to everyone who responded to our request and participated in the search for artifacts for our exhibition. Thanks to them, the exhibition features unique exhibits. "That's how we acquired Elena Ivanovna Dergacheva-Skop's handbag, which she used to carry the expedition participants' tickets, a whole box of Oleg Albertovich Donskikh's diaries, and photographs from his personal archive. And at our insistence, Andrei Yuryevich Borodikhin found the very jackets and backpack he used on the expeditions. He even managed to miraculously find his hiking shoes, mug, and kettle! He even shared a bear tooth, given to him by the Old Believers as a talisman. All these items can be seen at our exhibition," said Ekaterina Turuk.

A significant portion of the exhibition is made up of photographs. Archaeography Laboratory staff members Ekaterina Turuk, Inna Shilova, Grigory Belousov, and GI Master's student Anna Cherkasova have accomplished a significant amount of work, working with the photo archive. They classified and sorted the photographs, digitized the slides, and identified the people depicted in them. The result is an extensive photo gallery of expedition images, from the first to this year's. Looking at these images, the participants of the first expeditions reminisced about their student years and eagerly shared their memories with current humanities students.

In the 1960s, our lives were completely steeped in romanticism. Romance was the key word of our youth. We even dedicated our entrance essays to it, on a free topic, in which we wrote about our understanding of romance. So, for us, romance wasn't about waiting on the pier for a beautiful frigate with scarlet sails. We were enchanted by the romance of difficult journeys. For us, it was hiking, the taiga, scientific research, and overcoming difficulties. And there were plenty of them on expeditions! On our first expedition, Elena Ivanovna and I set off on a large motor ship called the "Maria Ulyanova" to the north of the Tomsk region. We disembarked in the village of Molchanovo, where we were put up in a large room. I think it was a hotel. And then we hit the taiga trails. I remember a funny incident: I was paralyzed with fear when I came across three snakes. So much so that I couldn't go any further. Elena Ivanovna asked a local we met to give me a ride in a cart to the pier. On the way, he asked me who we were. I proudly replied, "Philologists." He said, "Looking for oil? What, without a compass?" Indeed, many geologists worked in those areas, searching for minerals, and the locals were accustomed to encountering them in the taiga, shared Irina Alexandrovna Guzner.

A participant in the first archaeographic expedition recounted that Elena Ivanovna Dergacheva-Skop provided all the necessary living arrangements. She handled issues with accommodation, travel, and food. The latter presented some challenges. Canned goods and cereals were available in local stores, but eggs and milk had to be ordered from the state farm. Elena Ivanovna handled this task successfully.

"Our group was assigned two people for this purpose, and Elena Ivanovna was given a sarafan—a blue one with white polka dots. She would dress up, one girl would do her makeup, the other would do her hair, and then, dressed like that, she would go to the management, who couldn't resist the charm of a young, beautiful woman. So, we were given plenty of food, and we ate well," recalled Irina Alexandrovna Guzner.

The expedition's romance also lay in the unpredictability of events and overcoming difficulties in unfamiliar conditions. Irina Alexandrovna recalled how, in the village of Lysaya Gora, which no longer exists, they had to live in a greenhouse, from which they removed the seedlings and, as best they could, adapted them for temporary housing.

"Thanks to these expeditions, I suddenly discovered that another life is possible. It turned out that there are people who live for completely different values. And that was, of course, simply amazing," said Oleg Albertovich Donskikh.

At the photo exhibition, a photograph of a young girl with a long braid caught everyone's attention. Elena Edmundovna Voytishek recognized herself in the photo and shared a funny story from her expedition past.

It was 1980, in a remote village. I'd just finished my first year. In one of the houses, an Old Believer named Paramon Kalinovich approached me and tugged my braid: "Isn't that a towed braid, girl?" I was hurt and offended. But after my partner, fifth-year student Mikhail Chirkin, and I helped around the house, fetched water, weeded the garden beds, and talked about the harvest, they began to consider us one of their own and took our work on the expedition seriously. And then, frankly, it was a test worse than any we'd ever taken in university classrooms! They immediately laid out the Chetyi-Minei, the Hexameron, and the Psalter for us to read, no matter which page the book opened to. And we read. That's how our hosts tested us. Then they opened the books of Znamenny Chant for us, either by salts or by hooks. Here, my musical education really helped me—I had attended music school and played two instruments. Somehow, I managed, because I had to read the lyrics, sing them without the familiar staff, and discern those hooks. It was a wonderful experience, a kind of parallel reality. There are events in life that you experience and realize: you'll never see anything like this again, and you'll never relive that moment anywhere else. Our expeditions consisted of such moments," said Elena Edmundovna Voytishek.

Over the years, expedition participants brought back approximately 2,000 handwritten and early printed books from the 15th to early 20th centuries. Finding these precious artifacts wasn't always easy. Only persistence and dedication helped the expedition members achieve their goal.

— One of the participants in our expedition, Gennady Pavlovich Enin, worked for the family that kept this handwritten book of the 16th century in order to obtain the valuable Four Gospels with marvelous miniatures on a gold lining. For three years, every vacation she went to her owners and did various housework for them, so that she could later receive this book of extraordinary beauty for her labors. In the third year, the owners agreed to give it away, but also asked for a portable tape recorder – the family was very musical. Gennady Pavlovich was quite happy with this option. What about my story? I had the opportunity to visit a real Old Believer monastery once. Then I was still a student and went on a trip with a girl from Leningrad University. We were sent to the Asinovsky district of the Tomsk region. But how to find that very monastery? Having arrived at our destination, we went to the village administration. There we were advised to contact the foresters – they know exactly where this monastery is, and even go there from time to time, patrolling the forest. We went to the forestry enterprise. It turned out that the foresters were just getting ready to go in that direction the next morning. We stocked up on food and were already at the appointed place at 6 am. We walked for a long time through the taiga along an old overgrown clearing along which timber was transported 15 years ago. Well, we walk along this clearing for an hour, two, three… A short halt and again we hit the road. The foresters were surprised when they looked at us: they were city dwellers, and they didn’t complain or whine… At rest stops, they treated us to tea, and we shared our supplies with them. We reached the monastery in 10 hours. It wasn’t far there—“only” 40 kilometers. At the monastery we met an amazing person – Mother Melania. She lived in a tiny house. Several other people lived in the large house next door, and real treasures were kept here – old books. She told me about her difficult fate, about the persecution of Old Believers, about life in the taiga, about a recent meeting with a bear at the fence separating the estate from the taiga. Such moments are not forgotten, and they can only be experienced on an expedition,” said Tatyana Nikolaevna Apsit.

The romance of expeditions hasn't gone away, and today more and more students from the NSU Humanities Institute are embarking on office-based practical training, which is part of the Philology curriculum and mandatory for all students.

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