As part of its Summer Schools program, Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University has welcomed its twelfth group of international students, postgraduate researchers, and faculty members for the current academic year.
This group is the largest to date and includes participants from China (China University of Petroleum and Northeastern University), Bolivia (Higher University of San Andrés), and India (Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur). Over the next two weeks, they will study Intelligent Control Systems at Russia’s oldest technical university. As always, the educational program is intensive, featuring lectures, practical sessions, and a field visit to the university’s Sablino training and research site.
-Intelligent control systems are the heart of modern mining operations. The uniqueness of this Summer School lies in the practical integration of three breakthrough technologies, tailored specifically for the mining industry. Participants will not only learn about intelligent control, additive manufacturing, and neural networks individually, but also see how these technologies function in combination: smart algorithms managing 3D printing of spare parts directly at the mine; neural networks predicting equipment wear based on sensor data; and digital twins optimizing the entire production cycle, - explained Vyacheslav Zyrin, head of the program.
In the practical component of the program, students will have the opportunity to observe how various algorithms are already integrated into 3D printers — for example, how certain diagnostic systems function or how imperfections in the device’s geometry are calibrated. Participants will also see how intelligent technologies are used to predict failures, optimize equipment performance, and make mineral extraction safer and more efficient.
One of the core topics is machine learning and deep learning, which is currently a highly popular field. The knowledge gained will be beneficial to students across all disciplines.
- We will delve into AI-based technologies and attempt to build machine learning projects. You will have the opportunity to apply these materials in your own work, - announced Ekaterina Grishchenkova, one of the instructors of the Summer School.
This subject is of particular interest to Patricia Llanos, head of the delegation from Bolivia. Patricia is a lecturer at the Faculty of Geological Exploration at the Higher University of San Andrés. At her home institution, she works on remote geological monitoring and conducts extensive research on rare earth elements, materials, and soil composition. She is especially interested in applying machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies, as performing such analyses manually is extremely labor-intensive.
Incidentally, this is not Patricia Llanos's first time in Russia. Last autumn, she represented her university at the international BRICS forum. It was there that she first learned about the Mining University and its programs for international students. So when applications opened for the Summer Schools, she didn’t hesitate for a moment.
- An engineer is someone who is constantly creating and developing something. Even people with a technical mindset need ongoing opportunities to exchange ideas and apply their knowledge in practice. This kind of communication helps bridge the gap between technologies that are advancing in different countries, - says Patricia Llanos with confidence.
Akash Manna, an undergraduate student from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, studies mining production in its various aspects, including the improvement of economic sustainability in the mining sector. India is home to many mineral deposits, but most of them are still operated manually. Akash is working on technologies aimed at reducing the impact of the human factor and improving operational safety in mining.
At the Mining University, Akash Manna is particularly interested in the Caterpillar Laboratory, equipped with heavy machinery simulators.
— This company is very well known in Kharagpur, and we also collaborate with it at our university. I would like to focus specifically on intelligent control systems for the mining industry — to get hands-on experience in the laboratories, work with the equipment, and later bring the results of this internship back to my university, - says Akash Manna.
He also believes that listing training at the Mining University on his résumé will enhance his professional profile and improve his chances of securing a good job.
Zhang Yabin, a professor at Northeastern University of China, admits that he considers the Mining University to be one of the best technical universities in the world, particularly in the field of mining engineering.
- As a researcher, I wanted to broaden my professional perspective and see what my Russian colleagues are working on. I’m particularly eager to assess your educational and scientific programs. Without a doubt, I’ll return home with a wealth of useful knowledge that will support my future career. In China, we are actively developing 'smart mines,' where all operations are automated, monitoring is carried out via 5G-enabled cameras, and inspection robots continuously track tunnel conditions. I believe such mines will begin to emerge all over the world, - says Zhang Yabin.
The Summer Schools project 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 a number of countries across Africa and Latin America. The project is carried out in cooperation with the Competence Centre for Mining Engineering Education under the auspices of UNESCO.
