Published on: 2026-09-01
Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On August 31, the Freshman Day took place at the Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. New students gathered in the assembly hall to hear guidance from the university leaders, learn about opportunities for professional and personal development, and take the first steps in student life.
Welcome!
Faculty heads, university department staff, and representatives of partner companies addressed the first-year students.
Dean of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Andrey Nikulin congratulated the students on the start of their studies and noted that the engineering profession requires not only technical knowledge but also comprehensive personal development. “There is no such thing as just an engineer, someone who only knows how to work with numbers and add them up. It is always a personality that is culturally, morally, and creatively developed,” he emphasized, urging first-year students to actively take advantage of the opportunities offered by the university, participate in creative and student activities, propose their own ideas, and start thinking about their future professional work from the very first days of their studies.
Andrey Nikulin paid special attention to the university’s interaction with leading construction companies. He urged students to focus on the best industry representatives, gain practical experience, and carefully regard the quality of their future professional work.
At the meeting, a representative of the FSK Group of Companies — the industrial partner of SPbGASU — spoke to the first-year students of the Faculty of Construction. She talked about internship opportunities, excursions to construction sites, and prospects for further employment. The students were introduced to the main areas of professional development in the construction industry: working in the client service, general contracting, and design organizations. Career paths of construction and technical department engineers, managers and project leaders, foremen, architects, and design engineers were considered separately.
“A well-rounded specialist, an expert who will climb the career ladder, is a person who has developed personal effectiveness, communication skills, and emotional intelligence,” noted the representative of FSC. She also emphasized the importance of continuous education and urged students not to limit themselves to the knowledge gained in classes, but to constantly expand their professional competencies.
Photo with classmates
The dean welcomed the first-year students of the Faculty of Architecture Andrey Surovenkov. He noted that the students have a big and interesting stage of life ahead, which will bring new knowledge, acquaintances, and discoveries; however, studying at the faculty of architecture will require serious and constant work.
Speaking about the profession of an architect, Andrei Surovenkov emphasized that its foundation is not only mastering computer programs, knowledge of standards, and the ability to design, but also the formation of one’s own professional perspective. “The architectural profession is not only the ability to draw, the ability to work with architectural programs, knowledge of standards, the ability to design – it is the formation of one’s own professional perspective,” he said.
The dean urged first-year students not to fear criticism and to perceive it as an integral part of professional development. According to him, working on an architectural project is a sequential process in which the initial solution is gradually refined through discussion, analysis, and numerous iterations.
Andrey Surovenkov paid special attention to students’ independent development. He advised starting from the first year to read professional literature, study completed projects, observe the urban environment, and constantly expand their knowledge.
“Don’t wait until your fifth year, start becoming an architect right now,” the dean of the Faculty of Architecture addressed the first-year students.
He also noted that students can always turn to teachers and dean’s office staff for help and advice. According to him, the faculty should be a space where one can try, make mistakes, ask questions, and together seek optimal solutions.
The tree of knowledge with wishes for freshmen Geography SPbGASU
An important part of Freshman Day was acquainting students with the safety rules and internal regulations of the university. The Head of the Comprehensive Security Department Oleg Pospelov he spoke about the rules of access and on-site regimes, actions in emergencies, evacuation drills, and first aid.
Freshmen were also reminded of the need to be cautious about suspicious items and unfamiliar offers of easy money, and to promptly contact university staff if questions or unusual situations arise.
Freshman Day became the first major introduction to university life for the new students. Ahead of them lie years of study, new projects and professional connections, participation in scientific, creative, and social activities, and the opportunity to gradually shape their own professional trajectory.
Congratulations to the freshmen on the beginning of their student life and we wish them success in their studies, interesting projects, new discoveries, and vibrant university years!
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