SPbPU Continues Dialogue on Engineering Education with Rectors of Leading Uzbekistan Universities

On September 26, within the framework of the Interregional Conference of Rectors of Higher Education Institutions of Russia and Uzbekistan, held the day before, the Polytechnic University received a representative delegation of leading universities of Uzbekistan. Among the guests were the heads of Islam Karimov Tashkent State Technical University, Sharof Rashidov Samarkand State University, Fergana Polytechnic Institute and Termez State University.

In continuation of the lively discussion that took place at the panel session of the conference «Education for High-Tech Industries: Experience in Creating Advanced Engineering Schools (AES)» moderated by SPbPU Rector Andrei Rudskoi, the heads of universities came to Polytechnic. They saw the scientific achievements and engineering competencies of Polytechnic University and one of the best Digital Engineering AES in the country. Co-moderator of the session, Rector of TSTU Sadriddin Turabdjanov has visited Polytechnic University several times. He noted that each time the university introduces him to new research groups, offers ideas and new opportunities for cooperation. Rector of FerPI Uktam Salomov was impressed by the changes and rapid transformations that have taken place at Polytechnic since the last visit of the FerPI delegation in 2018.

I see a good example of the university’s strategic aspiration exactly in the sphere of engineering training, new approach and methods of education for the new generation of engineers, Uktam Salomov noted.

The day before, the rectors of SPbPU and FerPI signed a partnership agreement. The issue of training highly qualified personnel will become one of the important components of cooperation.

The delegation from Uzbekistan began its acquaintance with the university with historical facts. Director of the Museum of SPbPU History Valery Klimov conducted a tour of the Main Building, the Gallery of Outstanding Polytechnic Scientists and showed the exposition of the museum. Rector of TSTU Sadriddin Turabdjanov shared his memories of the exhibition organized in Tashkent by the Museum of SPbPU History within the framework of «Days of Polytechnic in Uzbekistan». This exposition made a strong impression on TSTU staff and students.

In the White Hall the guests enjoyed the sound of the organ and unique acoustics. Boris Kondin, Head of the Directorate of Cultural Programs and Youth Creativity, told about the role of the White Hall in the cultural life of the university and the city, about the activities of creative teams — choir, orchestras, ensembles of Polytechnic. Rich cultural life in the technical university interested the rector of Termez State University. Avazjon Marakhimov expressed ideas about cooperation in this area, including educational programs in the humanitarian sphere, inviting teachers, holding youth creative events, mutual cultural exchange.

Youth, students should not only be immersed in the cultural environment of their country, but also be enriched with traditions, literature, music of neighboring countries, develop knowledge, spiritual world, richness of perception and completeness of the humanitarian sphere, emphasized the rector of TerSU.

The delegation toured the Information and Library Complex (ILC) of SPbPU. Its director Alexander Plemnek presented the functionality of the integrated library system, the scale and capabilities of regional and national library consortia formed around the ILC, and invited Uzbek colleagues to partner in this activity.

In the past, readers used to come to libraries, but now libraries come where people need them. By cooperating, we will be able to achieve a lot, said Aleksander Plemnek.

At the meeting of the delegation with the Rector of SPbPU Andrei Rudskoi, the main topic was the discussion of urgent problems of fundamental and applied science and training of new generation engineering personnel. As a result of two days of discussions, all members of the delegation once again recognized the expediency of developing in Uzbekistan a state project similar to the «Advanced Engineering Schools» federal project of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, and agreed to propose this item to the final resolution of the conference.

The Rector of SPbPU assured the Uzbek colleagues that he would make every effort to assist in the implementation of this project in Uzbekistan and disseminate the unique experience of SPbPU «Digital Engineering» AES.

The participants of the meeting agreed that it is important to hold relevant consultations at the level of specialized departments with the involvement of leading experts, representatives of scientific and educational institutions and high-tech industrial enterprises of Russia and Uzbekistan to exchange experience and strengthen cooperation between the two countries in this area. The roadmap for cooperation in the field of NSP development signed during the conference with TSTU, a strategic partner of SPbPU, will be the first step on this path. For the next year, the roadmap implies mutual exchange of competencies, knowledge and consultations with the expert council in the field of AES development.

A separate working meeting was held between representatives of SPbPU institutes and Akmal Akhatov, Vice-Rector for International Activities of Samarkand State University. In spring Samarkand State University opened a joint Technology Center, a pilot launch of virtual laboratories was held, and a large-scale Engineering School was held. These advanced partnership formats have a good potential for development. Concrete results have already been achieved students from SamSU study at SPbPU, a number of publications have been published, joint conferences and training courses have been held, and a joint Master’s program has been launched. At the conference on September 25, SPbPU and SamSU again presented a pilot project: a unique agreement on the implementation of joint postgraduate programs was signed. The document deals with physics, radio engineering and electronics, but in the future, other institutes cooperating with SamSU will undoubtedly follow this path as well, such as GSI, IBS&B, IPMEiT, IMMiT and others. This year two postgraduate students from SamSU entered Polytechnic Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications and FizMech under the quotas of the Ministry of Education and Science. Next year, the graduate students will rely on the already concluded agreement on joint postgraduate studies. A separate item in the plans for the coming year is the issue of organizing pre-master’s training in Russian for SamSU students entering Russian universities. It will be thoroughly worked out in the near future. Perhaps, the relevant training for students from Samarkand will start already this semester.

At the end of the visit, the guests highly appreciated the activities of the Polytechnic Supercomputer Center, Gazpromneft-Politech Research and Development Center, Robotics Laboratory, Light Materials and Structures Laboratory, and Industrial Systems of Streaming Data Processing Laboratory. The presented results of the research activities raised many questions. During the conversation, ideas for joint projects and prospects for cooperation emerged.