The SPbPU delegation presented its initiatives to the rectors of BRICS+ countries at forums in Brazil

From June 5 to 7, large-scale Rectors’ Forums were held in Rio de Janeiro — the Second Forum of Rectors of Universities of Russia, Brazil, and the Republic of Belarus and the Second Forum of Rectors of Universities of BRICS+ Countries. The forums were attended by more than 50 representatives of universities in Russia and Belarus, delegations from leading universities in Iran, India, China, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and more than 60 universities in Brazil.

In his speech at the section on educational cooperation, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation Konstantin Mogilevsky noted the unique role of BRICS+ in the modern world:

The BRICS alliance is one of the few international platforms where interaction is based on the principles of mutual respect and equality, where there are no leaders, where everyone is equal and everyone is committed to working together for a common future.

The key sections and plenary session of the BRICS+ Rectors Forum were held at the Museum of Tomorrow. Vladimir Shchepinin, Director of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics and Trade, spoke at one of the sessions, presenting Polytechnic University as a key player in Russia’s scientific and educational space in the field of technological development, drawing the attention of the rector community to SPbPU’s potential in addressing the sustainable development challenges of the BRICS+ countries.

Olga Ergunova, Associate Professor at the Higher School of Production Management at SPbPU, presented a report entitled «AI Optimization of Human Resource Management in Smart Cities» at the thematic session «Artificial Intelligence and Education in BRICS+ Countries,» based on the results of a large-scale scientific project.

In her report, Olga Ergunova drew the audience’s attention to a successful example of comprehensive cooperation between BRICS+ countries: the international competition for young researchers «SMART CITY 2030: Managing Sustainable Development in BRICS Cities.» In 2025, the competition will be co-organized by SPbPU, the Russian Institute of Tsinghua University (China), Lovely Professional University (India), and the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil).

On the sidelines of the Forum, the SPbPU delegation held an extremely busy program of negotiations with existing partner universities in Brazil, as well as getting acquainted with a number of new promising universities and agencies. Two new cooperation agreements were signed with leading Brazilian universities — the Federal University of Fluminense and the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro.

During working meetings and negotiations with rectors and representatives of university delegations, projects in the field of joint research, academic mobility, joint educational programs for double degrees, and the organization of summer schools were discussed.

A pleasant surprise was the delegation’s meeting with SPbPU 1988 graduate Electo Eduardo Silva Lora, who is currently a professor and head of the Scientific Institute at the Federal University of Itaipu, a leading university in the field of electric power and electrical engineering. Prof. Electo Silva Lora spoke Russian fluently and recalled his teachers at Polytechnic University with great warmth. He expressed his desire to renew scientific and academic ties with his alma mater and is currently in contact with colleagues at the Institute of Energy.

As part of the visit to Brazil, Olga Ergunova also paid a separate visit to Latin America’s leading business school, FGV EBAPE (Fundação Getulio Vargas). Business negotiations were held with the Director-Dean of FGV EBAPE, Professor Flavio Carvalho de Vasconcelos, and the head of the international department, Yuna Fontoura.

The negotiations outlined specific steps: the organization of academic exchanges, joint research in the fields of innovation management, technological development, and sustainable production.

The participation of the SPbPU delegation in the Second Forum of Rectors of BRICS+ Universities made a significant contribution to the promotion of Russian education and science on the global stage. The visit laid a solid foundation for the implementation of new large-scale joint projects in the coming years.