Key Objectives of the Center:

  • Unified educational environment
  • Professional certification of specialists and educators
  • Internationally significant public events
  • Scientific and innovative research
  • Flagship universities and centers
  • Youth community and junior programs
  • Publishing activities
  • Information activities

 

 

Areas of Work

Integration of Scientific Research Results

Integration of scientific research results obtained under the auspices of the UNESCO Center into the educational and research environment in the form of academic programs, practical training, independent scientific work, and programs for additional (specialized) professional competencies, among others.

Scientific Project Evaluation

Organization and execution of scientific project evaluations, including projects in critical and breakthrough technologies within the framework of the mineral resource complex development strategy, as well as scientific and interdisciplinary projects conducted under the auspices of the UNESCO Center.

Preservation of Scientific and Historical-Cultural Heritage

Projects aimed at preserving scientific and historical-cultural heritage, including the legacy of leading scientific schools and their founders, recognized and newly identified memorial sites, architectural, engineering, industrial, and natural objects, including those related to the history of science and technology in the mineral resources sector and related fields. These projects are implemented with the participation of the professional scientific community and supported by volunteer initiatives.

Science and Education Popularization

Projects for the popularization of science and education (keynote lectures, young scholars' schools, scientific project competitions, etc.), including in the fields of natural, technical, social, and humanitarian sciences, aimed at enhancing the prestige of mining education and fostering students' integration into the scientific and academic community.

Internships, Practical Training, and Academic Exchange

Scientific and research internships, scientific and educational training programs, student research projects, summer scientific schools, academic exchange programs, and other forms of scientific contact and collaboration. This includes international scientific and educational programs, as well as professional development and competency enhancement programs with the awarding of qualifications to mining specialists (engineers) and managers working in the mineral resources sector.

Publication Activities

Thematic articles, special issues of journals and collected papers, monographs, lecture notes, specialized textbooks, and other publications addressing educational, scientific-technical, historical-cultural, humanitarian, and social topics in alignment with the UNESCO mission, Sustainable Development Goals, and the UNESCO Medium-Term Strategy for 2022–2029.

Research and Development

Research and development in the fields of natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities, contributing to the achievement of UNESCO Goals and Sustainable Development Goals, aligned with the priorities for the development of science, technology, and innovation, as well as the Scientific and Technological Development Strategy of the Russian Federation. These initiatives are carried out by the UNESCO Center at Empress Catherine II Saint Petersburg Mining University, within the framework of the "Nedra" University Consortium, including the participation of specialized research groups, creative teams, and both domestic and international academic partners.

International Events

Public scientific and technical events, including conferences, forums, congresses, seminars, symposiums, and others, with a focus on youth engagement and career guidance. These events also include international, professional, historical-scientific, competitive, and/or selection-based activities.

History of the Centre's Creation

The history of the UNESCO Competence Centre begins in 2012, when the World Forum of Resource Universities was created on the initiative of the Saint Petersburg Mining University and the Freiberg Mining Academy. The participants of the Forum session in Freiberg (Germany), Trondheim (Norway), Leoben (Austria) and Akita (Japan) developed proposals for UNESCO to unite the world's leading universities offering degrees in mining and mineral resource engineering in order to solve global issues of the world economy, training and improving the safety and efficiency of the use of raw materials.

December 13 – the Third All-Russian Congress of UNESCO Chairs and the High-Level Discussion Panel of the Fourth Meeting of the UN Secretary-General’s Scientific Advisory Board were held at Saint Petersburg Mining University, attended by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova.

December 15 – UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and Rector of Saint Petersburg Mining University Vladimir Litvinenko signed a Communiqué on the establishment of the Center at the university.

 

September 28 – the First International Council of Rectors of Mining Universities took place, bringing together 380 rectors and senior officials from 70 countries. The council unanimously supported the concept of creating the Center.

June 26 – as part of a UNESCO field mission, experts conducted a study on the feasibility and potential for establishing the Center at Saint Petersburg Mining University.

September 22 – the Second International Council of Rectors of Universities with Mining Engineering Programs was held, where participants discussed the organization of the Center and approved the submission of an application for its establishment to UNESCO.

October 13 – The 202nd session of the UNESCO Executive Board approved the decision to establish the Center.

November 6 – The decision was officially ratified at the 39th session of the UNESCO General Conference.

December 12 – The Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation signed Order No. 2783-r, authorizing the signing of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and UNESCO on the establishment of the International Competence Center for Mining Engineering Education in Saint Petersburg under the auspices of UNESCO.

 

March 7 – the Minister of Energy of the Russian Federation, Alexander Novak, and UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, signed the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the establishment of the International Competence Center for Mining Engineering Education in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) under the auspices of UNESCO at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France.

October 18 – The State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a resolution approving the Federal Law on the Ratification of the Agreement (Project No. 542836-7).

October 24 – The Federation Council of the Russian Federation approved the Federal Law on the Ratification of the Agreement.

October 30 – The President of the Russian Federation signed Federal Law No. 372-FZ on the ratification of the agreement.

January 14 – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation received an official notification from UNESCO regarding the entry into force of the Agreement between the Government of the Russian Federation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the establishment of the International Competence Center for Mining Engineering Education in Saint Petersburg (Russian Federation) under the auspices of UNESCO.

February 19 – The first joint meeting of the Supervisory Board and the Board of Governors of the Center was held.

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