SPbU joins Interfax University Program

Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) and Interfax Group have signed a cooperation agreement to introduce modern data analysis methods and research methods into the education process.

The agreement was signed on Thursday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) by Yelena Chernova, first pro-rector of SPbU, and Interfax Group CEO Mikhail Komissar.

SPbU has thus joined the "Digital Technologies for Education and Science" university program, which Interfax Group has implemented since 2020.

The document envisages the use of Interfax's information and analytical systems such as SPARK (risk assessment, providing business economic security) and Scan (reputation management, PR efficiency assessment) in the education programs of some specializations of SPbU. The systems will be used in practical classes and in writing graduation qualification papers and in applied research.

"SPbU has been working with Interfax for many years now, and the signing of this agreement is another landmark in the development of our years-long relations. Scientists and students will receive instruments for boosting research quality, which have proved effective and which are well-known not only in Russia, but also outside it. I am confident that our joint work will promote new achievements of domestic science," Chernova said.

"The signing of a cooperation agreement with one of the leading scientific and education centers of our country is a very important event, which will contribute to the development of our relations and will start the implementation of large research projects. Our information-analytical systems are broadly used by universities in the sphere of economy, finance, management, jurisprudence, and journalism. We hope that SPbU specialists, young scientists, along with Interfax experts, will conduct scientific research and create modern education programs that will be in demand on the market," Interfax Group CEO Mikhail Komissar said.

The "Digital Technologies for Education and Science" university program has been implemented by Interfax Group since the beginning of 2020. Its tasks include integrating unique databases and modern IT solutions into the educational process and scientific activities, improving the qualifications of teachers and researchers, and teaching students practical skills in information monitoring and analysis, risk assessment methods, and decision-making skills.

As part of the program, Interfax, together with its partners, is developing its own educational programs, courses and manuals on a wide range of topics: analysis of companies' economic activity, risk assessment, implementation of compliance procedures, ensuring transparency of government procurement, market analysis of government procurement and competition, taxation, financial and credit risks, RegTech, digital solutions in law, media analysis, and news journalism.

SPbU is one of the oldest universities in Russia and is one of the largest scientific and education centers in Europe and in the world. The university now has some 25,000 students, more than 12,000 employees, and more than 15 large laboratories and 24 resource centers, which are included in the country's leading Science Park. Among SPbU graduates are six prime ministers of the country and two presidents of the Russian Federation. Nine Nobel Prize winners have studied and worked at the university.

SPbU is included on the lists of the most prestigious university ratings such as Times Higher Education, Quacquarelli Symonds, and many others.