PGUPS Hosts International Scientific Conference «Heritage of Agustin de Betancourt»
On December 9th, 2016 Emperor Alexander I St. Petersburg State Transport University and The State Memorial Museum «Saint Isaac’s Cathedral» jointly conducted the International Scientific Conference «Heritage of Agustin de Betancourt».
Yusupov Palace on the River Fontanka as a place for hosting the Conference was not chosen by coincidence. Here, in 1810 Agustin de Betancourt, the outstanding engineer and statesman, by highest direction of Emperor Alexander I, who had invited the scientist into The Russian Empire, began lecturing the students of Russia’s first transport university.
The Conference was held under the aegis of Russia’s Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov and Governor of Saint-Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko.
The Conference was opened by Rector of the University Mr. Alexander Panychev who delivered his opening speech to the participants and the guests.
«His actions were so colossal that one human life would not be enough to embrace them. One of the main merits of Betancourt was that it was him that established transport and engineering education in Russia, outlining its course for the centuries ahead», Mr. Panychev said.
He also pointed out that the International Scientific and Educational Project «Heritage of Betancourt» is being realised thanks to the support of Russia’s Minister of Transport Maksim Sokolov and Governor of Saint-Petersburg Georgy Poltavchenko who are Co-Chairmen of the University’s Board of Trustees.
«On the initiative of Saint-Petersburg’s Governor Georgy Poltavchenko, next year Saint-Petersburg will hold the International Forum of Engineers».
The participants listened to the speech of the Director of The State Memorial Museum «Saint Isaac’s Cathedral» Mr. Nikolai Burov. Mr. Burov said that such a great event takes place exactly one year after signing the Agreement on Cooperation between the University and the Cathedral within the Project «Heritage of Betancourt».
«We would like everyone to remember and honour Betancourt, Spanish by flesh, Russian — by deeds and actions. It’s a pleasure for all of us to be gathered in the institution organised by Agustin de Betancourt, where till now spread students their wings to glorify Russia by their deeds», Mr. Burov said.
The Conference united scientists and specialists from Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Spain, France and Germany.