The “Summer Schools” project for partner universities — primarily international — has been implemented by Russia’s oldest technical university since 2018. This summer, it brought together a record number of participants. More than 2,000 students and postgraduate researchers are taking part in the educational program in the city on the Neva, including participants from Donbas, Belarus, China, India, Iran, and several countries across Africa and Latin America.
Due to the high number of applications, an additional autumn session has been planned alongside the main period from May 19 to the end of August. As a result, the total number of participants in 2025 will be even greater.
Eleven programs for the “Summer Schools” have been developed by leading faculty members of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University. Most of these programs are delivered in English, including “Current Trends in the Oil and Gas Industry,” “Petroleum Geology,” “Management in the Mineral Resources Sector,” “Digital Mining,” “Intelligent Control Systems,” and “Modern Mining Technologies.” Each program includes a lecture component, practical sessions in the university’s laboratories and research centers — including simulator-based training — as well as field trips to leading industrial enterprises in Saint Petersburg and the university’s research training sites.
Teaching in the “Summer Schools” is conducted primarily by professors and associate professors of Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University. The project also involves faculty from Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) and Saint Petersburg University of the State Fire Service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Russia named after Zinichev.
This year, nearly one-third of the participants are students and postgraduate researchers from India, not from ordinary institutions, but from the world-renowned group of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT). Established in 1961 during India’s drive for industrial self-sufficiency, the IIT network was formed as a community of the country’s top technical universities. These institutions hold a national status and are governed by a special law that grants them extended rights and enhanced funding.
Forpost spoke with three participants of the “Management in the Mineral Resources Sector” program from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Dhanbad, also known as the Indian School of Mines. Established in 1926 following the model of the Royal School of Mines in London, it has since evolved into a multidisciplinary educational institution. Nevertheless, mining disciplines remain at the core of its academic foundation.
In March of this year, a delegation from Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University visited Dhanbad and signed a cooperation protocol with the Institute, outlining specific timelines for student internships, as well as postgraduate and faculty exchange programs. The agreement includes participation in the Summer Schools held in Saint Petersburg.
All three Forpost interviewees specialize in mining-related fields, yet sectoral economics and management are also central to their academic interests. At Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, this subject area likewise accompanies all specializations within the mineral resources sector. Such an integrated approach is a key principle of the university’s new model of engineering education, which has been under development and implementation since 2023 as part of a federal pilot project. Every thesis at the university undergoes a pre-defense before the Scientific, Technological, and Economic Councils.
In just under three days of the course, several lectures and practical sessions have already taken place within the walls of the Mining University. Participants also toured the university and explored the historic center of Saint Petersburg. Ahead lies a visit to the Mining University’s educational and research site “Sablino” and the “Smart Labor” site of SPbGASU. At these sites, participants will become acquainted with equipment used for geological exploration and mineral extraction, as well as with intelligent production control systems and software for conducting feasibility studies and calculations — the very tools currently employed by leading companies in the Russian Federation.
The programs for previous groups (in other disciplines) also included visits to leading industrial enterprises in Saint Petersburg — for example, the Kirov and Izhora plants.
The final stage of the “Summer Schools” program is an assessment in the form of a project defense. Participants in the management-focused group have already received their initial briefing: the case involves developing an effective production organization model for a mining company, based on specific conditions and locations.
Postgraduate student Sunny Chakraborty:
«I was impressed by Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University’s 4th place ranking in the QS World University Rankings by Subject — arguably the most reputable — in my field of Engineering – Mineral & Mining. I became curious to learn how the training system for mining engineers is structured at such a prominent institution. Moreover, Russian mining companies are known for their high level of management. That’s why I applied for the Summer Schools program without hesitation. Upon returning to my alma mater, I will certainly share the new knowledge and experiences with my colleagues. Perhaps some aspects of the Russian approach can later be adapted in India.
So far, the learning experience has even exceeded my expectations. I especially appreciate the responsiveness and hospitality of the program coordinators and the excellent organization of student housing in the dormitories. Among the lectures we’ve attended during the first three days, the one that stood out most to me was the presentation on the history of management science. By the way, we’ve already built friendships with our Russian classmates».
Postgraduate student Somnath Mukherjee began sharing his impressions with enthusiastic praise for Saint Petersburg’s architecture. He also noted the high quality of Russian cuisine and appreciated the respect Russians show toward Indian culture:
«I was surprised when I heard the song ‘Jimmy, Acha, Acha’ [‘Jimmy, Let’s Go, Let’s Go’] from the 1982 film Disco Dancer playing in a local taxi. It turns out that in Russia, the Indian actor Mithun Chakraborty is almost as well-known as he is back home!
As for the academic program, I’d like to highlight the strong English proficiency of the instructors. My highest expectations are tied to the upcoming lectures on project management in mining companies».
Master’s student Partha Pratim Jana shared insights about the case project that participants are expected to defend as part of their final assessment for the course:
«We will be divided into four subgroups. Each group will prepare a report and presentation to defend its project. I am working on a project focused on the development of rare earth resources in the Arctic. This is a highly promising field. The challenge lies in proposing a profitable mining model. In the case of rare earth elements, the issue is the low concentration of valuable materials in the ore. In addition, we must consider the complex mining and geological conditions of the Russian North, as well as the specifics of local infrastructure. We will begin by analyzing statistical data and studying Russian experience in areas similar to our case».
From the initial three days of the course, what impressed him most was the discussion on pathways to achieving carbon neutrality. According to the student, this topic is widely debated in India. While some proponents of aggressive climate action advocate for the complete abandonment of fossil fuels, Partha Pratim Jana holds a different view:
«“Humanity cannot do without oil, gas, and coal. What’s important is to improve technologies for their extraction and processing, including raising environmental protection standards in production. Renewable energy sources are, of course, important too — but only when balanced with traditional ones».
It is worth noting that the Summer Schools project is being implemented jointly with the International Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO, based at Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University. The program is designed for students of the university and its international partners.
