Viktoria Vinogradova's speech. Anna Mikhailova and Andrey Surovenkov on the panel.
The Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering held a ceremony to present professional qualification certificates to graduates who successfully passed the independent qualification assessment process. SPbGASU became the first university in Russia to implement a pilot project combining state final certification and independent qualification assessment in the form of a professional examination for architect qualifications.
The event was attended by Vice-Rector for Continuing Education Viktoria Vinogradova, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, Head of the Department of Architectural Design Andrey Surovenkov, and Dean of the Faculty of Continuing Education Anna Mikhailova.
Addressing the graduates, Viktoria Vinogradova emphasized the project's special significance. Several Russian universities and colleges participated in a pilot initiative aimed at combining state final certification and independent qualification assessment, but SPbGASU was the first to achieve this goal in the context of training architects. "You have not only received an academic qualification but also confirmed professionally that you truly meet the demands of the architectural job market," she noted.
The Vice-Rector explained that academic qualifications are confirmed by a higher education diploma, while independent assessment of qualifications is focused directly on the professional requirements of the labor market and relevant professional standards.
For architects, this procedure also has practical significance. Subsequently, confirmation of professional qualifications becomes an integral part of a specialist's professional development. Depending on their level of training and experience, specialists can confirm their qualifications at the appropriate level, including advancing to higher levels as they gain professional experience.
Viktoria Vinogradova emphasized that the graduates' experience is not limited to the exam itself. SPbGASU conducted significant preparatory work in advance, working with the National Qualifications Agency and the relevant professional qualifications council. Thanks to these agreements, the portfolios and practical results students developed during their studies at the university could be taken into account in the practical part of the professional exam.
Thus, graduates had the opportunity, even during their studies, to become familiar with the procedures they would encounter in their future careers. In particular, this allowed them to understand in advance the format of independent assessments and the requirements for industry specialists.
"You had the opportunity to not just come as a freshman three years later, but to go through this procedure while studying at the university. You already understand, both psychologically and intellectually, how this process works," Viktoria Vinogradova emphasized.
The ceremony participants
Andrey Surovenkov, Dean of the Faculty of Architecture, also congratulated the graduates on successfully completing the tests. He noted that while participating in the project required additional effort from the young professionals, the experience gained would serve as a valuable asset as they began their professional careers.
According to him, confirmed professional qualifications can increase a potential employer's confidence in a young specialist and expand opportunities for professional growth.
He also noted that graduates had already become part of the university's professional community, and SPbGASU looked forward to continued collaboration with them. This could include not only architecture, but also joint projects, professional development, and expert work.
Of particular importance is the fact that independent qualification assessment is not a one-time procedure: specialists must undergo it regularly to confirm their qualifications. Therefore, the experience gained at the university will serve as a valuable preparation for graduates' future professional careers.
In conclusion, Viktoria Vinogradova expressed hope that graduates will be able to return to SPbGASU in the future as independent qualification assessment experts and participate in the evaluation of future specialists.
"We're not saying goodbye to you here, but we hope that this will only be the beginning of our collaboration," the Vice-Rector emphasized.
The award ceremony marked an important milestone in the pilot project and another step by SPbGASU toward aligning university training with the current demands of the professional market.