# SPbU

**Source**: https://english.spbu.ru/about/openness-policy/spbu-digital-university
**Parent**: https://english.spbu.ru/about/openness-policy/accessible-environment

In 2017 St. Petersburg State University joined the national programme ’Digital Economy of the Russian Federation’.

St. Petersburg State University places particular emphasis on implementing digital innovations. These initiatives improve various areas of university life, with some of them becoming a blueprint for other higher education institutions and being widely adopted.

### By 2021, the University had become a unified ecosystem:

[#### Transition to unified information systems](https://spbu.ru/news-events/krupnym-planom/ot-bumagi-k-cifre-preimuschestva-elektronnogo-dokumentooborota)

The University has implemented electronic document management, accounting systems, CRM systems, and among many others. Integrated automation of data processing workflows has been operational since 2017.
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\
 **> 720 THOUSAND**
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work assignments created in 2021.

[Learn more](https://spbu.ru/news-events/krupnym-planom/ot-bumagi-k-cifre-preimuschestva-elektronnogo-dokumentooborota)

[#### Barrier-free access to public assets](https://english.spbu.ru/research/research-park)

Establishment of a unified management framework for scientific equipment, with access to electronic resources available to all interested parties — regardless of whether they are SPbU staff, students, or external users.
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 **> 7.5 BILLION**
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roubles is the value of SPbU Research Park's equipment.

[Learn more](https://english.spbu.ru/research/research-park)

[#### Start to museum digitalisation](https://english.spbu.ru/about/st-petersburg-state-university-exhibitions-and-museum-collections)

The University is undertaking a large-scale digitisation of its museum collections for inclusion in the State Catalogue of the Museum Fund of the Russian Federation, while regularly launching new virtual exhibitions and collections.
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 **> 3 MILLION**
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items comprise SPbU's collections.

[Learn more](https://english.spbu.ru/about/st-petersburg-state-university-exhibitions-and-museum-collections)

[#### Adoption of 'Open University' principles](https://guestbook.spbu.ru/en/)

Feedback collection services in parallel with all information — including programmes, admissions competitions, vacancies competitions, decisions and documents, and even SPbU students’ degree coursework — all published in open access on the official website.
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 **> 10 THOUSAND**
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people read materials in the Virtual Reception daily.

[Learn more](https://guestbook.spbu.ru/en/)

[#### Digital services for staff, students, and external users](https://it.spbu.ru/services.html)

For convenience and streamlined operations, the University created personal portals for applicants, students, and teaching staff, along with a unified payment service and others. Starting with 2016, QR codes were added to diplomas to verify graduate credentials.
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 **> 36 THOUSAND**
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students and staff use SPbU's services.

[Learn more](https://it.spbu.ru/services.html)

[#### Digital Library established](https://english.spbu.ru/news-events/fresh-start/fresh-start-university-library-stock-issues-electronic-lending-and-digital)

A large-scale digitisation of library holdings, with services launched for locating and lending physical publications, alongside access to electronic library resources.

[Learn more](https://english.spbu.ru/news-events/fresh-start/fresh-start-university-library-stock-issues-electronic-lending-and-digital)

### University’s in-house digital services

To address its operational needs, SPbU develops unique in-house projects that subsequently gain demand among partners, including major commercial and state organisations, scientific institutions, and educational establishments.

#### ’Obucheniye’ information system

2009
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A solution for comprehensive support of the educational process and monitoring of student achievements.

[#### ResearchIMS](https://researchims.spbu.ru/)

2013
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Research infrastructure management system and scientific services provision process.

[Learn more](https://researchims.spbu.ru/)

[#### 'Kriptoveche'](https://dltc.spbu.ru/cryptoveche)

2019
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Convenient service for secure remote open/closed voting using blockchain technology.

[Learn more](https://dltc.spbu.ru/cryptoveche)

[#### Versatile payment assistant](https://spbu.ru/partneram/mpa)

2019
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Modern solution for streamlined online payment processing

[Learn more](https://spbu.ru/partneram/mpa)

[#### 'Eloris'](https://dltc.spbu.ru/eloris)

2020
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System for internal/external monitoring of electoral processes.

[Learn more](https://dltc.spbu.ru/eloris)

[#### 'Edemes'](https://edemes.dltc.spbu.ru/)

2022
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Blockchain-based system for tracking cultural asset movement.

[Learn more](https://edemes.dltc.spbu.ru/)

[#### DCMS](https://dltc.spbu.ru/dcms)

2022
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DCMS (Decentralized Cross-border Message System) — enables financial message transmission with non-excludable participation.

[Learn more](https://dltc.spbu.ru/dcms)

[#### Digital assets marketplace](https://dltc.spbu.ru/bca)

2023
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Decentralised system for monetising copyright storage and protection processes.

[Learn more](https://dltc.spbu.ru/bca)

### Digital education at SPbU

Since 2018, all educational programmes at St. Petersburg State University include development of the core competency ’Information Literacy’, equipping students with professional skills for the digital economy.

Beyond formal education, members of the University community undertake placements in SPbU laboratories and centres, as well as with leading Russian IT companies.

SPbU operates an IT Clinic where students solve real-world technical challenges — submitted by both internal stakeholders (University departments/services) and external [partners/employers](https://english.spbu.ru/partners "For partners") — under academic supervision.

[#### Degree programmes with digital component](https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/undergraduate)

Over the past decade, digital-focused degree programmes (Bachelor's, Specialist Degrees, Master's) have increased 2.5-fold: from 26 in 2013 to 65 in 2023.

[VIEW PROGRAMMES](https://english.spbu.ru/admission/programms/undergraduate)

[#### Additional education programmes](https://spbu.ru/postupayushchim/programms/dopolnitelnyeprogrammy?field=4187&audience=&type=&eduform=&op=%D0%9D%D0%90%D0%99%D0%A2%D0%98%20%D0%9F%D0%A0%D0%9E%D0%93%D0%A0%D0%90%D0%9C%D0%9C%D0%AB)

Over 30 continuing education programmes have been developed to deliver specialised digital competencies.

[VIEW PROGRAMMES](https://spbu.ru/postupayushchim/programms/dopolnitelnyeprogrammy?field=4187&audience=&type=&eduform=&op=%D0%9D%D0%90%D0%99%D0%A2%D0%98%20%D0%9F%D0%A0%D0%9E%D0%93%D0%A0%D0%90%D0%9C%D0%9C%D0%AB)

[#### SPbU Online School](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/programs/onlayn-shkola-spbgu/)

In 2023, SPbU launched its Online School — a unique Russian initiative enabling secondary pupils worldwide to study at the University lyceum and earn state-recognised secondary education certificates. Distance learning follows standard curricula, delivered free of charge through University non-budgetary funds.

[LEARN MORE](https://abiturient.spbu.ru/programs/onlayn-shkola-spbgu/)

### SPbU Online Courses

St. Petersburg State University is a leader in online education and co-founder of Russia’s national Open Education platform, with over 4 million learners.

SPbU became Russia’s first university to partner with XuetangX, China’s largest international online learning platform.

> > 400
>
> SPbU online courses and programmes available on the Open Education platform. 

The University now enables its academics and external lecturers to develop bespoke [online courses](https://spbu.ru/education/onlayn-kursy-spbgu), while also delivering corporate training solutions.

[#### Open Education](https://openedu.ru/university/spbu/)

Russia’s national education platform. SPbU leads in course volume (155 courses) and learner numbers (2+ million).

[Learn more](https://openedu.ru/university/spbu/)

[#### XuetangX](https://www.xuetangx.com/)

China’s national education platform. SPbU remains Russia’s only university hosting courses here (15 courses).

[Learn more](https://www.xuetangx.com/)

[#### Global Mooc Alliance](https://mooc.global/spbu/)

SPbU co-founded and solely represents Russia in this UNESCO IITE/Tsinghua University initiative, sharing global best practices in online education (300+ courses, 3+ million learners).

[Learn more](https://mooc.global/spbu/)

### Digital management of research infrastructure

SPbU’s Research Park comprises 23 resource centres, featuring:

- 1,400+ equipment units
- 4,000+ users
- 190+ daily research requests
- 119,000+ analysed samples annually

The in-house Research IMS platform provides end-to-end management of research services — from initial enquiry to final delivery.

### **The Open University Initiative**

Openness defines Russia’s first university. Since 2008, SPbU has developed digital platforms for staff-administration dialogue based on inclusivity, accessibility and interactivity.

- ['Please, bend the rules for me!](https://spbu.ru/rector/proshu-narushit-pravila)' portal (2009)
- [Dissertation defence broadcasts](https://rutube.ru/channel/25900939/) (2010)
- [Public Consultations](http://forum.spbu.ru/) (2011)
- [Virtual Reception](https://guestbook.spbu.ru/en/) (2011, available in English)
- [Minutes of Rector's Meeting](https://english.spbu.ru/rector/meetings) (2011, available in English)
- [Public office hours schedules](https://spbu.ru/openuniversity/documents/51) (2011)
- [SPbU Repository](https://dspace.spbu.ru/) (2012)
- Published academic council agendas/outcomes (2015)

### Digital Technology Research Projects

In 2023, SPbU conducts 55+ digital technology projects through:

- 20 grants (RSF, RFBR, Presidential grants)
- 14 state-funded initiatives
- 2 international academic collaborations

19 industry partnership projects are underway, including:

- 5 AI/digital technology projects with Huawei
- 10+ Gazprom Neft projects applying digital solutions to seismic exploration and hydrocarbon extraction
- 2 active contracts at the Mathematical Robotics and AI Centre

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