About the University
Yaroslav-the-Wise Novgorod State University (NovSU) is a leading Russian university located in Veliky Novgorod — the first capital of Russia and a centre of education and culture. Continuing its traditions of shaping cultural identity and enlightenment, the university is building an innovative research and education ecosystem in the region to support the country's technological breakthrough.
The university takes an active part in developing the Innovation Scientific and Technology Centre «Intellectual Electronics — Valdai», which hosts the Winter University. This is a modern technology zone focused on creating an «innovation conveyor» in high-tech development.
The university has established an Advanced Engineering School whose goal is to ensure Russia's technological sovereignty and to train students in relevant science and technology fields for leading industrial enterprises. During their studies, participants gain practical experience and skills that let them find employment and start work with a minimal adaptation period.
Together with the Administration of Veliky Novgorod and with the support of the regional government, the university runs the priority regional project «City-University». Its aim is the deep involvement of the university in the life of the city, fostering a sense of belonging to the university community among residents.
The Winter University is a series of project-based team intensives that bring together students from different countries. The programme introduces participants to advanced engineering technologies, creates opportunities for exchanging engineering ideas and cultural interaction, and comprises three modules: educational, project (across 6 thematic areas) and sociocultural.
Academic Module
The educational part of the NovSU Winter University is delivered across 6 thematic tracks and includes lectures, hands-on sessions and laboratory work. This allows participants to master modern software and engineering tools, explore advanced technologies and prepare to implement their own project solutions.
Systems Development Using Neural Network Technologies
The «Systems Development Using Neural Network Technologies» track introduces the features and capabilities of neural networks, the Nvidia Jetson platform and Ubuntu OS, classification tasks in machine learning, the principles of writing custom scripts for the working environment, training neural networks for object recognition tasks (pose estimation and action recognition), and semantic segmentation.
Cybersecurity
The «Cybersecurity» track covers the fundamentals of cybersecurity and is intended for anyone who wants to improve their digital literacy and protect themselves from cyber threats. The course spans a wide range of topics related to personal data protection, preventing hacker attacks and securing online communications. Topics include: personal data protection, internet safety, social engineering, and working with and backing up data.
Unmanned Aerial Systems and Satellite Technologies
The «Unmanned Aerial Systems and Satellite Technologies» track introduces participants to unmanned aerial system and space imaging technologies and to the legal framework in this field. It covers the fundamentals of operating multirotor and fixed-wing unmanned aircraft, preparing them for flight, photogrammetric processing of aerial survey data, remote sensing of the Earth, geographic information systems and thematic cartography.
Information Modeling Technologies
The «Information Modeling Technologies» track introduces the core principles of creating digital information models of buildings and structures for both existing and new projects (PIM and AIM).
Digital Signal Processing
The «Digital Signal Processing» track covers the core principles of building systems for locating objects and environments, with an in-depth study of computer-aided design of electronic modules, assemblies and boards. It includes developing electrical schematic diagrams, PCB routing and preparing final files for printed circuit board production. Practical sessions focus on mastering an electronic design automation (EDA) package.
Virtual and Augmented Reality
The «Virtual and Augmented Reality» track is designed for beginner 3D artists. During the course, students learn to work with Blender, get an understanding of the basic 3D-content production pipeline — its stages and timelines — and learn what UV unwrapping is and why it is needed.
Project Module
The project module involves team work on an engineering project within the chosen track. Design work takes place in the laboratories of the NovSU Advanced Engineering School with the support of mentors, industry consultants and the project's industrial partners.
The project module programme:
- trends and challenges in modern engineering (speakers from electronics-industry enterprises and the NovSU Advanced Engineering School);
- generation of project ideas (run by the School of Project-Based Learning across the 6 tracks based on the identified trends and challenges);
- work on the project (independent team work in the project co-working space and in the Advanced Engineering School laboratories throughout the module).
Industrial partners of the project: PJSC Acron, JSC Elsi, JSC TsNII Tsiklon and other leading enterprises of the Novgorod Region.
Cultural and Leisure Module
Includes:
- excursions across the Novgorod land: the Faceted Chamber, the Belfry of the St. Sophia Cathedral, Yaroslav's Court, the Vitoslavlitsy Museum of Wooden Architecture;
- sports events: volleyball, basketball, mini-football, relay race, chess tournament;
- master classes: clay modelling, wood burning, macramé, origami, painting on various surfaces, tea ceremony;
- cultural events: an entertaining quiz, the «Kvartirnik» home concert, a film screening, the «PIShFEST» cosplay festival.