Multifunctional Lecture Hall “Unity Space” Opens at Polytechnic University’s International Campus

The opening of multifunctional Lecture Hall No. 400, «Unity Space», took place at the Higher School of International Educational Programs of SPbPU (St. Petersburg Polytechnic University). The project to transform the 196 m² educational space is aimed at addressing key objectives of campus and educational policy, digital transformation, and also aligns with the university’s international activities as set out in the «Priority‑2030» program.

SPbPU Rector Andrey Rudskoy and Vice‑Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev, in the presence of honored guests, ceremonially opened the «Unity Space.»

The multifunctional auditorium offers a wide range of possibilities: it can host lectures, practical classes, in‑person, hybrid, and online conferences, seminars, trainings, project work in parallel groups, as well as ceremonial events — award ceremonies for graduates, winners of international competitions and olympiads.

The Lecture Hall is equipped with a control room, allowing the moderation of various event scenarios (including video conferencing and coworking); the installed equipment supports all formats and work scenarios. The operator can manage multi‑session events from a separate area, with partial control also available from the speaker’s area. The main idea of the multimedia project is to create a flexible system that allows holding a single event using the entire auditorium space, or dividing it into several independent blocks for different tasks.

Today we have taken an important step in the development of the Polytechnic University’s international campus. Thanks to modern equipment and a renewed interior, this auditorium will become not only a convenient venue for events but also a hub for young minds. I am confident that the «Unity Space» will attract students and faculty from around the world, enabling them to comfortably realize the most ambitious educational, project, and creative initiatives, commented Vice‑Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arseniev.

On the first day of the auditorium’s operation, a presentation of the space, its multimedia capabilities, and the renovation process was held. The project’s implementation is the result of collaboration between international services and departments under the leadership of Vice‑Rector for Information Technology and Digital Transformation Andrey Lyamin and Vice‑Rector for Administrative Services Stanislav Vladimirov. Since its opening, Polytechnic students have been actively using Auditorium No. 400: it is very important that students feel comfortable both during their studies, project work, and in their extracurricular time.

In turn, students note the possibility of using the auditorium as a modern, well‑equipped coworking space. In a conversation with Rector Andrei Rudskoi, Vedant Gupta, a student from India and head of Tutor Forces, expressed his gratitude: Thank you for your attention to the international students of our university. We greatly appreciate your support. And we are delighted that such a great auditorium has been made for us! Its name, «Unity Space», is very symbolic! There are many of us international students, and we can all study here together, implement exciting projects, and host events!

Creating a modern environment for unleashing the potential of employees and students, including international students and postgraduates, is one of the key priorities of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. Previously, the university opened the PolyUnion interclub — a comfortable and multifunctional space for Russian and international students. In the summer of 2024, the university’s «Unified Center for Registration of Foreign Citizens» began operating at the international campus, where international students can quickly complete all the necessary documents for studying and living in Russia.