Master's degree graduates
The graduates of the Department of Urban Planning, who presented their master's theses for defense on 10 June, turned out to be surprisingly composite geographically. On this day, 15 master's students defended their theses, including several foreigners - Akbarmirzo Soliev and Aliye Ganieva (Uzbekistan), Akhmad Oryakhel (Afghanistan), Gantuya Batbold (Mongolia), as well as representatives of various regions of Russia: for example, Kazbek Tkhvostov - from North Ossetia, Timir Solovyov - from Yakutia, Leyla Dadaeva - from St Petersburg, and Anzhelika Gasparyan - a native of Kuzbass.
All of them prepared diploma projects on topics that were interesting and relevant for their countries and regions. The exception was Akbarmirzo Soliev, who took on the landscape and urban development modernization of the Green Belt of Glory memorial complex – a system of monuments to the defenders of Leningrad, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Akbarmirzo chose this topic at the suggestion of his academic supervisor, Associate Professor Svetlana Levoshko, and defended his project with an excellent mark.
Gantuya Batbold defended her thesis on the topic of "Urban development of transboundary territories of Siberia and Mongolia". According to her bachelor's degree in her native Mongolia, Gantuya is an environmental engineer, so she had to master a lot of new disciplines in her master's program. Afghan Ahmad Oryakhel himself formulated the topic of the thesis "Urban development of the territories of the Khashmatkhan transport corridor in Kabul". In addition to its relevant and deeply developed content, the work is distinguished by a high level of architectural graphics. The academic supervisor of both master's students is Associate Professor Pavel Skryabin. According to the master's students, the most difficult thing was to master the Russian language.
"I am returning to my native Darkhan, the second largest city in Mongolia, known as an important industrial and educational center. I want to establish myself as a professional in the Darkhan municipality. It seems to me to be a key institution of urban governance, directly influencing the life and well-being of every citizen. My work will focus on issues of urban planning and improvement of the urban environment. I will try to actively participate in the development and implementation of projects aimed at improving the quality of life of citizens, modernizing infrastructure and creating comfortable public spaces, contributing to the harmonious development of Darkhan, helping to transform it into an even more attractive and functional urban center for all its residents," said Gantuya Batbold.
Ahmad Oryakhel also plans to return to his homeland and pursue a career in the Kabul Municipality in his area of expertise. “I intend to work in the Urban Development Department, where architects participate in planning new districts, rebuilding urban infrastructure, and developing design solutions aimed at improving the urban environment. I believe that my knowledge and skills can be especially useful in the process of rebuilding and developing the city. The municipality is interested in young professionals with international education, and I hope to contribute to the implementation of projects related to sustainable development and modern architecture in Kabul,” Ahmad shared.
Kazbek Tkhvostov, who completed his master's degree with honors, received the highest mark for his work "Formation of a system of multifunctional public spaces in small towns and rural settlements of the Republic of North Ossetia - Alania". His supervisor is Associate Professor Marina Kook. In addition, the state examination committee recommended Kazbek's work for participation in the XXXIV Review-competition of diploma works of the Interregional Public Organization for the Promotion of Architectural Education (MOOSAO) and for implementation. Graduates of the Department of Urban Planning of 2024, his coursemates and fellow countrymen Artur Ramonov and Zara Khadartseva came to support the master's student at his defense. For now, Kazbek plans to stay in St Petersburg, but does not rule out professional activity in North Ossetia.
It is gratifying that the Department of Urban Planning trains highly professional specialists who work all over the world.
