On January 25, known in Russia as Tatiana’s Day and celebrated as Russian University Students’ Day, Governor of St. Petersburg Alexander Beglov visited Herzen University to meet with students. He was accompanied by Vice-Governor Irina Potekhina and members of the city’s Committee on Education – First Deputy Chairman Elena Vladimirskaya and Deputy Chairman Mikhail Puchkov, who, up until recently, held the position of Vice-Rector for Innovation and Information Technology at our university.

The central topic of the meeting was the public online projects of Herzen University launched in 2020: Mega-Herz and Prodlyonka na udalyonke (The Online After-School Club). Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs Alexandra Gogoberidze and Head of the Department of Didactics Elena Piskunova gave a detailed presentation on these ongoing projects. As Ms Piskunova pointed out, “These projects were launched in a short time, and they have developed quickly.” The  students described the teaching techniques they have used during the Prodlyonka na udalyonke project. As the young teachers-to-be acknowledged, the experience they have gained during the project’s sessions has been very fruitful: it has taught them to be disciplined and attentive to children’s demands. Many of them thanked their mentors for their support and their willingness to discuss the emerging challenges. Everyone agreed that the training of future teachers must change in accordance with today’s requirements – distant learning, new online technologies, and virtual team communication.

Speaking to the participants, the governor emphasized their courage and desire to help: “Such projects are a great help to our city, which can rightfully be called the student capital of Russia. Our students are the future of the country. I am pleased to recall my own student years. It was always a great joy on this day. I wish you success and good luck! Take good care of the future generation, our country and our city!”

Rector Sergei Bogdanov responded to the congratulations: “Today is a wonderful day because, more than ever, we feel that our beautiful city needs us!”