Polytechnic University: Results of the Year of Germany in Russia
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University is actively working on the development of its international partner network. Traditionally one of the priority regions is Germany. This year, the cooperation with German partners was held under the auspices of the Year of Germany in Russia 2020-2021 and Russian-German cross-year «Economy and Sustainable Development» 2020-2022. Despite the difficult epidemiological situation, over the past year Russian and German colleagues have been able to significantly strengthen their partnerships, as reflected in the joint international events in the field of science and education. Read more in our news digest.
New applications for international RSF-DFG projects
Scientists at the Polytechnic University, together with the colleagues from Germany — representatives of leading German universities — prepared three applications for participation in the 7th competition of the Russian Science Foundation (RSF) and the German Research Foundation (DFG). Applications deadline was in December. For the projects that SPbPU scientists submitted to the competition together with colleagues from RWTH Aachen University, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), and the Institute for ImplantTechnology and Biomaterials e.V. , Rostock-Warnemünde, topics in the fields of BIM technology, logistics, and biomaterials were chosen.
Joint thesis defense
In November 2021, Ulyana DUDKO’s thesis on topic "Fully Optical Communication and Powering using Integrated Autonomous Sensor Nodes«was defended at the Leibniz University Hannover (LUH). The joint examination committee chaired by Professor Hans-Josef Endres included LUH Professors Ludger OVERMEYER and Roland LACHMAYER and the graduate student’s co-supervisor, Director of Higher School of Cyber-Physical Systems and Control, Professor Vyacheslav P. SHKODYREV. Ulyana DUDKO successfully answered the questions of the Committee, defended her thesis and received a degree with honors. It is also worth noting that earlier Ulyana DUDKO graduated from the joint Master’s Double Degree program «Intelligent Systems», which is being implemented jointly by Leibniz University Hannover and SPbPU.
Internship at RWTH Aachen
Konstantin MALAFEEV, an SPbPU young scientist from the Institute of Biomedical Systems and Biotechnology, won a scholarship from Polytechnic’s partner university, RWTH Aachen University, for conducting a research in the field of intelligent implants and tissue engineering. The internship is scheduled for 2022 and will take place in Germany at the Institute for Textile Technology (ITA) of RWTH Aachen University.
Around the World with Leibniz
At the end of November, SPbPU took part in the online event «Mit Leibniz um die Welt», organized by Leibniz University Hannover. This event brought together more than 700 students from the Leibniz University Hannover. Thematic sessions and workshops about study and internship opportunities abroad, including Russia, were organized for the students.
Polytechnic University was represented by Alla MAZINA, Deputy Head of the International Relations Office, Olga EMELYANOVA, Head of the Department of International Educational Programs and Academic Mobility, and Elizaveta SUKHOVA, Deputy Head of the Department of International Educational Programs and Academic Mobility.
The participants of the event showed significant interest in SPbPU international programs as well as exchange opportunities in the current epidemiological conditions and were inspired by new ideas for fruitful cooperation.
Along with SPbPU, representatives of other city universities and committees took part in the «Mit Liebniz um die Welt» forum. Thus, Yuri SNISARENKO, Director of St. Petersburg Scientific Foundation and STUDYINSPB project manager, made a presentation entitled «St. Petersburg — a Vibrant City for Study and Innovation».
Strengthening partnerships
In November, Mikhail RUSAKOV, coordinator of the German Center for Research and Innovation in Moscow (DWIH Moscow), visited SPbPU. Polytechnic University and DWIH have already been having fruitful coopration for several years. In particular, together with the German Center for Research and Innovation in Moscow, SPbPU organizes various events during the Week of Germany in St. Petersburg on a regular basis. Representatives of SPbPU International Office took part in the meeting with the DWIH coordinator. The parties discussed the plans for 2022: prospective topics for cooperation, inviting German researchers and professors to SPbPU as well as opportunities for the support of talented graduate students and young scientists at SPbPU.
The partnership between the Polytechnic University and the Ministry of Economics, Infrastructure, Tourism and Labour of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is actively developing. During the year, representatives of SPbPU and the Ministry held joint activities in the priority areas of cooperation — mechanical engineering, medicine, methane pyrolysis, and environmental protection. Cooperation roadmaps are being developed based on the results of the meetings. One of the practical results of 2021 was the preparation and submission of a joint application for biomaterials to the RFF-DFG competition by scientists from SPbPU and scientists from the Institute for ImplantTechnology and Biomaterials e.V. , Rostock-Warnemünde.
Plans for the future
Despite the difficulties of the pandemic, SPbPU continues to actively develop cooperation with universities, scientific organizations, and companies in Germany. Several large-scale events and activities are already planned for 2022. SPbPU and German colleagues are looking forward to future joint events, such as workshops with the Technische Universität Dresden and the Technical University of Munich, participation in the traditional Week of Germany in St. Petersburg 2022, development of new joint programs, joint PhD programs, expansion of the partner network, and a lot of other significant and exciting events.
Prepared by the SPbPU International Office