❄️ Happy first day of winter!

We can't wait for those atmospheric snowy days, because in the depths of winter, St. Petersburg State University seems spun from wool by a doting grandmother. Wrapped in a fluffy mantle of snow, it has all the cozy charm of a vintage soviet New Year's card.

❤️ — if you like studying in a place like this

🤩 So we came to our Smolny campus, and what did we find? A genuine treasure trove of knowledge!

That's because St. Petersburg University is hosting the International Scientific and Practical Conference 'Social Architecture: Theory and Practice of Social Change' today. 👀

🎓 Political leaders and top scientists from the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg State University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, MGIMO University, Fudan University, and Columbia University gathered at our venue to discuss crucial reference points for navigating today's turbulent times and designing the future.

Overall, the conference brings together experts from Armenia, Belarus, Brazil, China, Egypt, Hungary, India, Iran, Mali, Namibia, Russia, South Korea, Türkiye, Vietnam, and other countries!

Read more about the conference here ⬅️

🗺SPbU completes Year 2 of a global Russian language project spanning 3 continents!

In 2025, our team reached 11 countries – from Africa and Latin America to Asia – teaching Russian to nearly 3,000 people and exceeding enrolment targets by 29%.

Where we worked in 2025:

🤩Africa: Central African Republic, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Tanzania, Botswana, Uganda
🤩Latin America: Brazil
🤩Asia: Bangladesh

✨Key results:

✅implemented 49 educational programmes
✅18 cultural & professional events
✅2 major Russian Culture and Education Festivals (South Africa & Brazil)

Over two years, we’ve trained 5,870 people worldwide 🌍

Our deepest thanks go out to the learners, the teaching team, and our partners at the Russian Ministry of Education and the 'My History' Foundation. Let’s build more bridges through language together!

SPbU strengthens international education ties at Beijing Forum

Andrei Lesin, Director of the SPbU Language Testing Centre, spoke at the International Educational Forum in Beijing, attended by over 1,000 representatives from 60+ countries.

✅ Key takeaways:
🟣Global demand is growing for professionals with both international outlook and local expertise
🔴Russian language is cornerstone for Chinese students to excel in SPbU academic programmes
🟡SPbU prioritizes continuous teacher training to improve education quality

During the discussion, experts pointed out key strategies for developing globally competent professionals and analyzed new trends in international education.

✍️Participants agreed that a comprehensive approach including interdisciplinary courses, joint degree programmes, and international internship hubs is essential to maximize the value of studying abroad.

😶How are false memories formed?

A study from St. Petersburg State University reveals that justifying a decision you believe is your own can create false memories.

Scientists found that when people justify a choice they think is their own, they often develop false memories to match their explanation. This did not happen when they justified a partner's choice 👀

Why?
The answer lies in the mind's drive for consistency. Facing a mismatch between a memory and a justification causes discomfort, so it unconsciously 'edits' the memory.

Read more about this fascinating insight into the fragility of memory and self-deception here ⬅️

How passion for math led Adriana to St. Petersburg

💭 Imagine moving to a new continent, learning a language with a different alphabet, and preparing to dive into advanced maths — all at once. That's what 19-year-old Adriana Lechuga is doing at SPbU!

She shares the hardest parts, funny language mistakes, and why supportive teachers make all the difference 🌷

#interview #russian_language

💻 Sending positive vibes for final exam success

You're in the final stretch! This is the moment to test your knowledge and willpower. We know you can overcome any challenge and come out on top🌟

Just a bit of patience, the holidays and New Year are around the corner💡

💫Colouring the Holiday Season

The Big Christmas Exhibition is now open at SPbU!
Over 60 amazing works are on display — paintings, graphics, decorative art, art objects, and animation – all made by our talented students.

This year, the exhibition celebrates 15th anniversary of the Faculty of Arts. We love the creative community that has grown here at SPbU, and every piece of their artworks sprinkling some holiday magic throughout SPbU🎁✨

Don’t miss the students’ unique interpretations of the season’s iconic symbol – the Christmas tree – the exhibition runs until 16 January!

📍Exhibition Hall, 7–9 Universitetskaya Embankment
🕘Opening hours: Weekdays 11:00–17:00 (Wednesday 14:00–17:00)

💡Will AI ever become conscious?

We are currently witnessing a paradoxical situation: on one hand, new technologies demonstrate impressive results in solving professional and educational tasks; on the other hand, they raise fundamental questions about the nature of consciousness and ethics.

❗️The scale of AI's impact on the fundamental processes of knowledge transmission is discussed by Professor Tatiana Chernigovskaya, Director of the Institute for Cognitive Studies at St. Petersburg State University