The traditional autumn “Applicant Day” of St. Petersburg State University took place on the GSOM SPbU “Mikhailovskaya Dacha” campus.

About 2 thousand high school and university students, as well as their parents, were able to learn about educational programs at all levels, about intellectual and sports competitions among university students and other aspects of the life of the first Russian university - St. Petersburg State University. At the same time, about 3 thousand viewers watched the live broadcast of the event on the Internet.

 The scale of educational programs and areas of study of the first university in Russia was presented at 34 stands. The exhibition also included sections dedicated to university science, admission of foreign citizens, additional educational programs, olympiads and competitions held by St. Petersburg State University. The guests also learned about the sports achievements of university students, scholarship programs, and the University's dormitories.

 Participants of the St. Petersburg State University Entrants' Day were interested in the details of studying at the university, as well as changes in the admissions campaign in 2024.

 The day's program included presentations of educational programs, from management and linguistics to applied physics and mathematics. Specialists provided consultations and answered a wide variety of questions from future applicants.

One of the popular areas of the day is management. As Yuliana Maksimova and Irina Golovanova, specialists in organizing admissions at GSOM SPbU, noted, future applicants were very motivated and came with ready-made questions: how to prepare for entrance tests, get additional points upon admission, what career prospects await graduates? Those who chose management majors were interested in internship opportunities in large Russian companies, including industrial internships, as well as exchange programs with international partner schools for inclusive training.

 Not only high school students, but also students of related specialties who choose to continue higher education are considering a management career. Thus, 4th year students of the Faculty of Economics of St. Petersburg State University Maxim Gorkavtsev and Alexey Pakhomov shared what options for a master’s degree they are considering.

“I’m a 4th year student at the Faculty of Economics at St. Petersburg State University, and it’s time for me to think about a master’s degree,” said Maxim Gorkavtsev. — I’ve heard a lot about GSOM SPbU before — reputation does its job. I was interested in the corporate finance program (Master in Corporate Finance, MCF) and the opportunities that the program provides. First of all, this is international certification. It was also interesting to learn more about the features of admissions next year.”

He was supported by Alexey Pakhomov, who considers the new direction for himself precisely as a tool for professional growth: “The management of human resources, the company and the organization of processes in itself is quite an interesting direction for any student who is planning a career in management or creating their own enterprise.”

In the main conference hall of the campus, a meeting of applicants was held with the first vice-rector for youth policy and admissions management of St. Petersburg State University, Alexander Babich. “Next year St. Petersburg University is celebrating its 300th anniversary. This is the first classical university in Russia, founded by Emperor Peter I. Currently, the University is the world’s leading scientific and educational center, providing its students with great opportunities to receive a quality education and engage in scientific activities,” noted Alexander Vyacheslavovich.

 He also spoke about the benefits of studying at St. Petersburg State University, the career guidance work carried out, regional projects and additional opportunities for applicants, such as Olympiads and targeted training.

 Alexander Khurshudyan, Deputy First Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Admissions Organization, Executive Secretary of the Admissions Committee, spoke about the peculiarities of admission to St. Petersburg State University in 2024.

 During the St. Petersburg State University Entrants' Day program, everyone was able to take part in a master class by university students on aircraft modeling, as well as lectures from the Student Scientific Society of St. Petersburg State University, Erasmus Student Network at Saint Petersburg State University and the St. Petersburg State University GR club. In total, 10 events (lectures, master classes) were held as part of the business program, which were attended by about 500 people in total.

 

A sign of the times is virtual technology. In addition to virtual tours of the Twelve Collegium building, the park of modern sculpture, the Vladimir Nabokov Museum and the Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus, applicants were presented with a VR simulator for public speaking and a “dream dormitory” project in Minecraft. Despite the game form, these projects have an important educational function and are actively being implemented by the Scientific and Educational Center “Digital Technologies in Education” of the Graduate School of Management of St. Petersburg State University.

“With the help of a VR simulator, we help our students simulate a future performance in front of an audience and practice many nuances, from visual contact with the audience to filler words. At the same time, the public can react differently to your speech, which also gives the speaker feedback and allows him to improve his communication skills,” said Tatyana Marfina, project manager at the Digital Technologies in Education Research Center at GSOM SPbU — And the format of conducting a business game in Minecraft is, in fact, an excellent opportunity to practice project management skills. We regularly conduct training in this environment, which allows participants to practice teamwork, planning and goal setting skills. Today, for example, we are showing the dream dormitory of GSOM St. Petersburg State University that our students created in Minecraft: there is a swimming pool with sun loungers, art paintings on the walls and a kitchen with panoramic windows.”

Throughout the day, guests of St. Petersburg State University, future applicants, had the opportunity to get acquainted with the infrastructure of the Mikhailovskaya Dacha campus as part of excursions organized by St. Petersburg State University students. In total, about 100 people attended campus tours.

 St. Petersburg State University plans to hold the next Applicant Day in the spring of 2024. The event will be timed to coincide with the celebration of the 300th anniversary of the first University of Russia.

 

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