Category: Translation

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The Polytechnic Institute of Civil Engineering held the grand opening of the international educational project "Digital Modeling of Cultural Heritage Sites in Russia and Cuba." Representatives of the Committee for State Control, Use, and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg, the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg, the Technological University of Havana (CUJAE), and the National Council for Cultural Heritage of Cuba participated in the event. The project will run for one academic semester, until December 15, 2025.

The project is a follow-up to agreements reached between the universities during the St. Petersburg Days in Havana and Santiago de Cuba in 2024. The project is being implemented with the support of the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg, the Committee for State Control, Use, and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg, and the National Council for Cultural Heritage of the Republic of Cuba.

The Russian side was represented at the event by Alexey Mikhailov, Chairman and First Deputy Chairman of the Committee for State Control, Use, and Protection of Historical and Cultural Monuments of St. Petersburg, and Ekaterina Kozyreva; Alexandra Komissarova, Deputy Director General of the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg; Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Institute of Contemporary Art; Mikhail Romanov, Responsible for International Activities of the Institute of Contemporary Art; Ksenia Strelets, Director of the Center for Additional Professional Programs at the Institute of Contemporary Art; Yegor Melekhin and Anna Korotkova, curators of the Russian student team and ISI faculty; Ekaterina Belyaevskaya, Head of the Department of International Interuniversity Cooperation at SPbPU; Taisiya Kletskina, Specialist of the Department of International Interuniversity Cooperation at SPbPU; and Leoandris Martinez Serrano, PhD student at the Graduate School of Cyber-Physical Systems Management.

The friendship between Russia and Cuba is not only a long history of mutual support and respect, but also an example of fruitful cooperation in science, technology, and culture. Today's project is further proof of how innovative approaches and modern technologies help strengthen our ties and preserve our priceless cultural heritage for future generations. By combining our efforts in technology and innovation, we are building bridges between our peoples, strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation," noted Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Civil Engineering Institute.

The main goal of the project is to develop long-term educational, scientific, and technical cooperation between SPbPU and CUJAE. Particular attention is paid to developing students' professional competencies in project management and the application of building information modeling (BIM) technologies for the digitalization, preservation, and restoration of cultural heritage sites.

During the project, students from Russia and Cuba are expected to collaborate in parallel, studying the principles of digital tools used in architectural research and developing design solutions aimed at preserving cultural heritage sites. This is essential and fundamental knowledge for modern restoration architects, and by honing it, specialists will achieve a high level of professionalism and mastery. I wish the project participants success in mastering new tools and achieving excellence in the use of familiar technologies, as well as maintaining a focus on developing the management systems that will be essential for the continued existence of the monument, noted Alexandra Komissarova, Deputy General Director of the Union of Restorers of St. Petersburg.

During the project, students will complete a comprehensive educational program: training seminars and courses on the history of Russian and Cuban architecture, digital modeling of architectural structures, the study of construction regulations and standards, and the use of specialized software and equipment. Participants will master a full range of skills, from archival data analysis and laser scanning to information modeling and the use of augmented and virtual reality technologies.

Each student team will work with cultural heritage sites from their own country. Russian students from the Civil Engineering Institute will explore the Kholomki estate of Prince Andrei Grigorievich Gagarin and the Church of the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Belskoye Ustye. Cuban students will focus on studying the headquarters of the Physics Faculty and the headquarters of the Mathematics and Computer Science Faculty of the University of Havana.

The Republic of Cuba was represented by the Ministry of Culture Nilsson Acosta Reyes, Director of the International Relations Office of CUJAE Luis Alberto Rueda Guzmán, Vice President of the National Council for Cultural Heritage of Cuba and Dean of the Faculty of Architecture of CUJAE Ruslan Muñoz Hernández, Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering of CUJAE Ingrid Fernández Lorquenzo, General Director of RESTAURA Enterprise Tatiana Fernández de los Santos, Director of Technical and Production Works of RESTAURA Enterprise Lojania Cruz Hernández, Vice Dean for Research, Postgraduate Programs and International Relations of the Faculty of Architecture of CUJAE, Coordinator of the Cuban Team Karen Sanabria Ortega, External Director of GeoCuba Business Group Sergio E. Ricardo Desdin, Project Coordinator, Representative of GEODESA José Carlos Núñez, Head of the Applied Mathematics and Geomatics Department Emilio Escartín Sauleda, Vice Dean for the Master's Program at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Dania Olga Abruy Hernandez, lecturer and consultants in ground surveying and 3D modeling Carlos Guerra Astorga and David Ernesto Chico Rodriguez.

Nilson Acosta Reyes, Vice President of the National Council for Cultural Heritage at the Cuban Ministry of Culture, noted: "The implementation of this technology for regulating and monitoring the condition of cultural sites, particularly historic buildings, will significantly improve the accuracy of collected data, streamline inspection and management decision-making processes, and develop effective measures to protect monuments from the effects of natural disasters, emergencies, and armed conflicts."

Also during the meeting, project curator Yegor Melekhin, assistant professor at the Higher School of Industrial, Civil, and Road Construction, presented a detailed presentation of the project, outlining the scope of the work, the implementation timeline, and the key objectives of the participants.

Luis Alberto Rueda Guzmán, Director of CUJAE's International Relations Office, emphasized: "Our collaboration, which began last November, already includes two promising areas: research in mechanics and renewable energy, as well as the preparation of scientific publications. The participation of Cuban students from CUJAE at the SPbPU Winter University is particularly valuable; it represents a new step in the collaboration between our universities."

Upon completion, each team will submit a set of materials, including a digital information model of the site, a project presentation, and an informational booklet describing the key elements and objects of protection. The project's implementation will significantly contribute to the development of international cooperation in the field of cultural heritage preservation using modern digital technologies.

Our partnership with the Technological University of Havana is more than just academic collaboration; it's a strategic alliance where Russian engineering traditions meet the innovative approaches of our Cuban colleagues. Together, we are creating new standards for international cooperation in the digital preservation of cultural heritage. This project clearly demonstrates how higher education is becoming a driver not only of technological progress but also of strengthening intercultural dialogue," noted Dmitry Arsenyev, SPbPU Vice-Rector for International Affairs.

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

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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On October 8, 2025, the State University of Management hosted the 1st International Scientific and Practical Conference "Ensuring the Country's Food Security through the Creation of Software and Hardware Complexes and Intelligent Platform Digital Solutions in the Agro-Industrial Complex."

The conference focuses on a major research project, "Ensuring the Country's Food Security through the Creation of Software and Hardware Complexes and Intelligent Platform Digital Solutions in the Sphere of Developing Full-Life-Cycle Agro-Industrial Technologies," implemented with the financial support of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation (Agreement No. 075-15-2024-542).

The conference focused on ensuring food security through the implementation of digital and robotic technologies in the agricultural sector. Held in a hybrid format, the event brought together over 200 participants, including project partners, industrial partners, relevant international partners, international scientific and educational organizations, Russian and international scientists, IT solution developers, and representatives of government agencies and agribusiness. A collection of abstracts from the conference presentations will be published online and in print.

The conference began with a plenary session, opened and moderated by GUU Vice-Rector Maria Karelina:

"We are honored to host this landmark event, which I am confident will become the starting point for many interesting and important initiatives. Such a representative lineup of conference participants is the best proof that the topic of food security and digital transformation of the agricultural sector is highly relevant."

Otari Didmanidze, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, and head of a major research project at SUM in the field of agriculture, welcomed the audience. He expressed his delight that the conference was organized at SUM and briefly outlined the importance of the research project he leads at our university. He noted that seven of the 11 scientists working on its implementation are young professionals.

"The project's main idea is to establish a closed and completely independent agricultural production cycle. A platform-based approach to implementation and a strong, capable team of young scientists led by SUMU Rector Vladimir Stroyev will enable us to achieve all our goals on time," said Otari Didmanidze.

Professor Zakhid Godzhaev, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Doctor of Engineering Sciences, identified production criteria that "cry out loud and force us to implement artificial intelligence." These include high energy and material costs per unit of output, low productivity, and low yield per unit of area. The professor pointed out that to improve these indicators, it is necessary to upgrade the equipment fleet, convert it to automated electric drives, develop adaptive control systems, expand monitoring of planting areas, and introduce state standards for the application of AI in agriculture.

Andrey Ronzhin, Director of the St. Petersburg Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, and Professor of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented the developments of his research center, including agricultural drones for use on land, in the air, and in water. Specifically, his St. Petersburg colleagues have successfully adapted AI to combat the Colorado potato beetle. The expert also highlighted the challenge of certifying cutting-edge agricultural technologies.

Maxim Chekusov, Director of the Omsk Agricultural Research Center, PhD in engineering, Associate Professor, and Honorary Worker of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Russian Federation, expressed his delight at collaborating with the State University of Management, as he is a graduate of the latter. He described the activities of the Omsk Agricultural Research Center, which has become the largest landowner among scientific organizations, manages 1,100 head of dairy cattle, and is involved in the breeding of 14 crops. Maxim Chekusov acknowledged that it is extremely difficult to attract young people to tractor work today, so unmanned technologies seem the only alternative for agricultural development.

Professor Alexander Makarov, Vice-Rector for Research and Strategic Development Programs at Udmurt State University and Doctor of Economics, described the joint work with SMU on a major project in the agricultural sector as challenging but productive. It yielded interesting and significant scientific results. For Udmurt State University, the prospect of creating a subsector for agricultural waste recycling is particularly important.

Irina Bukharina, a Doctor of Biological Sciences and Professor at Udmurt State University, noted the particular relevance of collaboration with the State University of Management in light of the country's ongoing implementation of the federal circular economy project. The professor discussed Udmurt State University's work in this area, specifically on the use of insects in the recycling of agricultural waste.

After the plenary session, the following sections of the conference took place: – State policy and economic mechanisms for ensuring food security; – Digital intelligent platform solutions and big data in the agro-industrial complex; – Software and hardware systems and robotic technologies in the agro-industrial complex; – Personnel for the modern agro-industrial complex.

Professor Magomed Magomedov of the State University of Management delivered the opening keynote address. Particular attention was paid to the current state and prospects for improving food security in Russia. The presentation generated lively interest and discussion among the participants.

In his presentation, Professor Yassin Al-Husban of Al-Isra University in Aman discussed an integrated aquaponics system for sustainable feed production in Jordan. He warmly welcomed the participants, thanked the State University of Agriculture for the opportunity to speak at the conference, and expressed hope for joint international projects.

Nikita Kukharenko, a leading accreditation expert at the Belarusian State Accreditation Center, spoke about current trends in standardization and certification in the agricultural sector in the context of market globalization and digital transformation. His colleague from Belarus emphasized the need to ensure the food sovereignty of EAEU countries by increasing the competitiveness of agricultural products in the global market.

Roman Klyuev, a leading researcher at the N.V. Melnikov Institute for Integrated Mineral Resource Development of the Russian Academy of Sciences, presented a report on the pressing issue of energy supply for autonomous industrial facilities, including in agricultural production. The expert's proposals will be useful for projects being implemented by our university.

Vladimir Makarov and Sergey Zhukov, colleagues from the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University and the Nizhny Novgorod State University of Engineering and Economics, shared their achievements in the design of chassis for autonomous ground-based mobile agricultural complexes.

Sergey Korchagin, Nikita Andrianov, Elena Dogadina, Natalia Bespalova, and Rima Gorokhova from the Financial University presented their findings in the fields of machine learning, computer vision, and robotics in the modern agricultural sector.

Our colleagues from the Federal Scientific Agroengineering Center VIM, Andrey Kovalev, Alexey Kutyrev, Mikhail Chaplygin, and Kirill Dmitriev, presented preliminary results of a major joint research project with the State University of Management (GUU) on the development of modules for managing carbon-neutral agriculture, waste management, and modern digital technologies in agricultural production.

The State University of Management thanks all participants of the 1st International Scientific and Practical Conference "Ensuring Food Security for the Country Based on the Development of Software and Hardware Complexes and Intelligent Platform-Based Digital Solutions in the Agricultural Sector" who responded to our invitation and found the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience.

Productive work at the plenary session and sections, lively and constructive dialogue, new business contacts, and, of course, brilliant ideas and results will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the effectiveness of our university's scientific and educational activities.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: October 9, 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.