Rector of Cuba's leading technological University visits St. Petersburg Polytechnic University
Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University was officially visited by a delegation of Cuba’s leading technical university, the Jose Antonio Echeverria University of Technology of Havana (CUJAE), headed by Rector Dr. Marta Dunia Delgado Dapena.
The delegation met with Andrei Rudskoi, Rector of Polytechnic University, Academician of the RAS, Dmitry Arseniev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, Viktor Barskov, Director of the Institute of Energy, and Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering. The parties discussed the development of a strategic partnership between the universities.
As part of the eventful program, the guests from Cuba visited the SPbPU Institute of Civil Engineering (ICE). During the visit, colleagues from CUJAE got acquainted with the scientific and educational project «MetaCampus Polytech», implemented at the Institute.
The colleagues were presented with the concept of a digital twin of the university campus, developed by students and faculty of the ICE, and demonstrated the functionality of a digital platform that provides comprehensive management of the university’s property complex — from booking classrooms and analyzing the utilization of spaces to analyzing the functional purpose of the areas. Marina Petrochenko, Director of the Institute of Civil Engineering, spoke about the organizational structure, key scientific and educational directions of the Institute, as well as about the history and prospects of cooperation between the ICE and CUJAE.
During the discussion, the parties discussed the implementation of a joint international educational project on digital modeling of cultural heritage sites in Russia and Cuba, aimed at digitalization, preservation and restoration of cultural heritage sites using modern BIM technologies. Special attention was paid to the joint scientific research «Development of a decision-making model for optimal functioning of the electric power system under the influence of extreme weather events.»
The inspection of the laboratories of the Institute of Energy caused increased attention of the guests, because the issue of energy security and stable operation of power grids is more important than ever for Cuba, which has recently been subjected to a series of natural disasters and man-made accidents. Viktor Barskov demonstrated the entire educational trajectory of the students of the Institute of Energy — from studying power grids, turbines and power devices on mockups and models, to digital design and practical work with equipment. The research work of master’s and postgraduate students is carried out in direct interaction with the industry and qualified customers, either at enterprises or on the basis of SPbPU using equipment provided by industrial partners. The Rector of CUJAE was very interested in the experience of interaction with industrial partners and the creation of specialized laboratories on campus. Viktor Barskov received an invitation to visit CUJAE in February 2026 to participate in a major scientific and technological congress, where meetings with representatives of the Cuban industry will be provided.