Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Marina Malyutina, Valery Falkov, Evgeny Rybnov (foreground) and members of student associations
On 25 September, the Minister of Science and Higher Education of Russia Valery Falkov paid a working visit to SPbGASU. The delegation also included the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Higher Education of the Government of Saint Petersburg Andrey Maksimov. The guests were met by the SPbGASU Rector Evgeny Rybnov.
During the working meeting, Evgeny Rybnov discussed the results of the recent admissions campaign and the university's development priorities. Specifically, the importance of intensively implementing innovations in the educational process was discussed. The minister was briefed on the university's rapidly developing disciplines related to information modeling technologies and their integration into all fields of study.
The minister was also informed that SPbGASU operated a project center where student teams work on real projects commissioned by industry partners. This allows students to gain experience in teamwork, become familiar with current industry challenges, and establish connections within the professional community.
Valery Falkov was presented with two exhibitions dedicated to the achievements of SPbGASU. One of them highlights the university's work as a center for training restorers. According to Nadezhda Akulova, Acting Head of the Department of Architectural and Urban-Planning Heritage, successes in this field are due to a comprehensive approach: students are taught not only architectural and artistic aspects but also the technological aspects necessary when working with cultural heritage sites. Students and graduates of the university have participated in the restoration of every second cultural heritage site in St Petersburg, including such significant projects as the Chinese Palace in Oranienbaum, the Naval Cathedral in Kronstadt, Kazan Cathedral, and St Michael's Castle, she said.
The second exhibition is dedicated to a crucial area for our country: the development of Arctic cities and territories, and the creation of a comfortable urban environment and tourism infrastructure in the Arctic zone. The Minister was able to view over 40 works by students of the Faculty of Architecture, created as a result of research and expeditions to the Arkhangelsk Region, the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, and the Kola Peninsula. According to Aleksandra Eremeeva, Associate Professor at the Department of Architectural Design, these works were presented to regional administrations, and some were recommended for implementation.
At the "Opportunities Fair" festival, Valery Falkov spoke with students. This event introduces first-year students to the university's extracurricular activities, including student government, sports, creative, and other leisure associations, and the student squads movement. The students told the Minister about the work of the "Kirpich" Student Creativity Club, which has for many years housed a media center, the "There is contact!" discussion project, a photo studio, theater and dance groups, a KVN team, and much more.
In addition, the delegation members visited the SPbGASU Scientific and Technical Library, where Valery Falkov examined rare editions, in particular, a 16th-century textbook on descriptive geometry, as well as theses of the university's graduates from the 19th and early 20th centuries.
