60 Years of International Education: Anniversary of SPbPU Preparatory Faculty
At the end of April 2025, Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University celebrated the 60th anniversary of its preparatory faculty for international students. This event was not just an anniversary date, but a vivid demonstration of many years of successful experience and achievements in the field of international education.
The history of the faculty began in 1965, when the first 200 students from Cuba, Arab countries and Africa crossed the threshold of classrooms at 21 Polytechnicheskaya Street. Under the leadership of Dean A.N. Nosov, a unique educational structure was created with three departments: Russian language, natural sciences and humanities. In 1988 the faculty found a new home — a modern building on Grazhdansky prospect, 28, which even today remains the center of attraction for international students.
Dmitry Arseniev, Vice-Rector for International Affairs, noted, The special value of the Preparatory Faculty lies in its ability to adapt to the challenges of the time, while preserving the best traditions. Today we see how graduates of the Preparatory Faculty become successful specialists all over the world, and many stay in Russia, contributing to the development of our economy and science. This is the best assessment of our work
.
Over six decades, the preparatory faculty has traveled an impressive path of development. When I came to Russia, I knew only a few Russian words
, recalls Hanaa Itri from Morocco, a 2016 graduate. But thanks to the unique teaching methodology, after a month and a half I could already understand speech and participate in dialogues
. Today she successfully works at a major Russian university, continuing the traditions of intercultural communication.
The jubilee celebrations lasted two busy days. The first day opened with a session of the All-Russian scientific and methodological seminar, where topical issues of teaching taking into account the ethnic factor were discussed. Representatives of leading Russian universities — MSU, RUDN, KFU, Tomsk and Volgograd polytechnic universities — not only shared their experience, but also handed over memorable gifts symbolizing strong professional ties between our universities.
On the second day we saw a bright festival of Russian language and culture. Students enthusiastically competed in linguistic contests, participated in master classes on folk crafts, mastered the secrets of traditional Russian cuisine. The culmination of the holiday was a gala concert in the White Hall, where Russian songs and dances performed by international students were performed.
60 years is not just a number
, said Viktor Krasnoshchekov, director of the Higher School of International Educational Programs. It is thousands of graduates, dozens of countries, hundreds of educational programs. But the main thing is the traditions of quality and innovation, which we carefully preserve and develop
.
Today the Preparatory Faculty of SPbPU is a modern educational center where time-tested methods and innovative approaches are harmoniously combined. As Tirto Pamangin, an alumnus from Desmarnow, Indonesia, said, Here they give not just language knowledge, but open the door to a new life
.
This is the mission of the faculty — to be a bridge between cultures and peoples.