EACS-2016. Book of Abstracts

Founded in 1724, St. Petersburg University (SPbU) is the oldest institution of higher education in Russia. During the 285 years of its existence, the University se- cured the right to be acknowledged as one of the best institutions of higher education in Russia. Its rich history, modern research, large-scale development and innova- tions make the University ahead of the curve in Russia’s science. The University has over 32 000 students specializing in more than 320 areas in 24 faculties. The University’s staff is almost 14 000 people, including nearly 6 000 teachers. Among the teaching staff, 1 000 have a post-doctoral de- gree, and over 2 000, a doctoral degree. Altogether, there are 289 academic departments. St. Petersburg University has long-standing partner- ship traditions with 350 leading universities worldwide, providing the academic staff and students with access to numerous research and study opportunities. The inter- national cooperation allows researchers and students to share experience and keep abreast of the latest advance- ments in global science. The ties between scientific com- munities are the strongest, and SPbU takes pride in being a part of that. The scientific discoveries and achievements of the University contributed to the global and Russia’s science and technology. Its professors and alumni include seven Nobel Prize winners: I. P. Pavlov (1904) and I. I. Mechnikov (1908) in Physiology and Medicine; N. N. Semenov (1956) in Chemistry; L. D. Landau (1962) and A. M. Prokhorov (1964) in Physics; V. V. Leontyev (1973) and L. V. Kantor- ovich (1975) in Economics. Many of the alumni became fa- mous all over the globe in various fields. Those are world- known scientists, teachers, statesmen and public figures such as K. N. Bestuzhev-Ryumin, A. F. Koni, P. A. Stolyp- in, D. I. Mendeleev, V. I. Vernadsky, D. S. Likhachev and dozens of others. The University has given to the world such renowned people of art as I. S. Turgenev, P. A. Bryul­ lov, A. A. Blok, A. N. Benois, V. D. Polenov, S. P. Diaghilev, M. A. Vrubel, L. N. Andreev, I. Ya. Bilibin, N. K. Roerich, I. F. Stravinsky, and many others. Four heads of Russia’s government were graduates of St. Petersburg Universi- ty: B. V. Stürmer, A. F. Kerensky, V. I. Lenin, and V. V. Putin. Two graduates were Russia’s Presidents: V. V. Putin and D. A. Medvedev. In November 2009, Dmitry Medvedev, President of the Russian Federation, signed a law granting St. Petersburg State University the special status of “a unique scientific and education complex, the oldest institution of higher education in Russia that is of a great importance to the de- velopment of the Russia’s society”. SPbU was granted the privilege to set its own education standards and award its own degree certificates. Today St. Petersburg University is headed by Prof. Ni- kolay Kropachev, the Rector. St. Petersburg State University