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Permian: A Reason to Celebrate International Science?

08.10.2021 / , , , , , , ,

180 years ago, a known Scottish explorer Sir Roderick Impey Murchison (1792–1871) introduced the term of the Permian period. What does the word Perm mean in Scandinavian? How does Perm connect with the British Empire, and its railways? Can we travel back in time to experience the Permian bloom? 

In 1840-1841, Roderick Impey Murchison, accompanied by a French paleontologist Édouard de Verneuil, a German geologist Alexander Keyserling and a Russian geologist Nikolai Koksharov, Murchison made a huge journey across Russia, covering more than 20,000 km (12,400 mi).

Marking the geographical locations of Russian cities, travelling across the Perm lands, Murchison described unusual creatures and plants through their fossil remains – labeling them with Perm, or Permian period – dominating the supercontinent of Pangaea 299 – 252 million years ago.  

Roderick Murchison had no intention of becoming a geologist: after he retired from a military service, he became fond of fox hunting. Throughout his both profession and hobby he learned to correlate his  findings with terrestrial layers, exploring and describing their texture.

Geology as a science emerged in 19th century, at the start of the railway construction in Britain. The hills and rocks, regarded as obstacles, were torn down or cut through, revealing the hidden. Standing on a trade way to Syberia, the Urals and Perm experienced the same change, hence Murchison’s interest.

Linguists and ethnographers regard 3 main origins of the word ‘Perm’: 1). the land of Bjarma, mentioned in the Scandinavian sagas; 2). the Finnish word perämaa, i.e. “far land” (as indigenous  people belong to the same Finno-Ugric language group); 3). and the local Komi-Permian word “woods, forest”.

Several international, national and particularly local museums are proud to have Permian flora and fauna exhibits in their collection, to mention the Museum of Permian Antiquities, and museums of Perm State University (PSU), serving a study ground for the Faculties of Biology, Geology and Geography. 

The collection of PSU Botanical Garden includes species representing ancient taxa, widespread in the Permian period. “The dedicated ground holds living samples of ‘Permian’ plants,  decorated with stone imprints of the era,” says Sergei Shumikhin, head of the Garden, associate professor of the Department of Botany and Plant Genetics, PSU.

PSU Geographer Becomes Best Guide and Translator, Nationally

07.10.2021 / , , , , , ,

Azat Safaryan, Associate Professor, Department of Tourism, Perm State University (PSU) has been announced a winner of the All-Russian Professional Competition in Tourism, within a “Guide-Translator” sub-nomination. For the second year in a row, Perm-based professionals are being awarded this title.

Besides his research and teaching competences in Geography, Azat speaks fluent English. For more than five years, he has been showing progress as a guide-translator. He also contributed to the making of the Perm Map Brand App, a city database developed through real feedbacks from citizens.

The Perm Map Brand App allows users to learn about Perm landmarks, providing photos and locations, including museums, monuments, hotels, restaurants, dance clubs, learning and study sites, sport and yoga centers, gardens and parks, or just nice places for ‘picture opportunity’.

Perm is a multicultural community, and Azat bears roots in Armenian culture.

“Perhaps, my advantage is the fact I am not a native Permian. The mixed view on behalf both the local resident and a tourist gives me the opportunity to adapt the content individually for each visitor,”

says Azat Safaryan.

The All-Russian Professional Competition in Tourism is held annually by the Federal Agency for Tourism. 145 participants from 50 regions of the Russian Federation became its nominees on the federal level, in 2021.

Interested in Perm Map Brand App? Load for free.
More news on PSU at the University international website.

PSU Translators Win Twin Cites Contest

06.10.2021 / , , , , ,

PSU students have successfully performed at a regional international Translators ’Competition, contributing to Perm (Russia) and Louisville (USA) twin cities’ link.

15 undergraduate and graduate students from Perm State University are listed among 29 winners in various categories, representing the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature; the Faculty of Law; the Faculty of Economics; and the Faculty of History and Political Science, PSU. The Competition involved 135 students from 8 Perm-based higher institutions. In total, the Organizers’ Committee received 160 pieces, translated; a few participants challenged several translations at once.

Four pieces by contemporary American authors had been offered for the Competition: “A is for Aliby” by Sue Grafton, “Old Muscovy” by Massie Robert and “The Healing” by Gayl Johnes. All authors come from the sister city of Louisville (USA) and represent those writings previously untranslated into Russian. In return, two excerpts from the book “The Territory of God” by Yuri Aslanyan, Perm-based author had been offered for a Russian-English translation part.

The Translators ’Competition became a part of “Perm-Louisville Twin Cities ’Cultural Heritage” framework, within the 23rd Perm City Competition of Social Projects “The City is Us”. The Competition was run by the Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literatures, Perm State University; Perm English Language Teachers’ Association (PELTA); Perm Krai A.M. Gorky Library; and Perm-Louisville Twin Cities Association.

PSU Linguist Announced Professor of the Year, Nationally

06.10.2021 / , , , , ,

Dr. Svetlana Mishlanova, teaching professor and head of the Department of Linguodidactics, Perm State University, has been given the national award Professor of the Year 2021 in Philology.

Dr. Svetlana Mishlanova has spent more than two decades of educational, research and teaching activity at PSU and beyond. Her research interests include cognitive linguistics, terminology and modeling of terminological systems, discourse analysis, intercultural communication and computational linguodidactics. Her number of publications exceeds 120, plus a dozen monographs and teaching and research manuals.

Dr. Svetlana Mishlanova has been contributing to collaborations with known national and international scholars, including those from Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, Romania, UK and USA, and more. Her partnership ties involve Leuphana University of Lüneburg (Lüneburg, Germany), National Communication Association (Chicago, USA), European Symposium on Languages for Special Purposes (Vaasa, Finland, 2001; Hamburg, Germany, 2007; Aarhus, Denmark, 2009); the project “Cognitive Modeling in Linguistics” (Sofia, Bulgaria, 2007; Constanta, Romania, 2009; Dubrovnik, Croatia, 2010), plus constant contribution to twinning relations with Louisville (USA) and Oxford (UK).

The Professor of the Year award celebrates notable scholars showing results in education and science. The recent nomination has taken place at the national Professors Forum ‘2021, contributing to the Year of Science and Technology in Russia. The Forum titled “21st Century: Trends and Prospects” brought together participants from more than 80 Russian universities.

Vaccination of Foreigners in Perm Territory, Latest Update

06.10.2021 / , , ,

Since 30 September, 2021, immunization against COVID-19 among foreign citizens will take place at the Department of Commercial Medical Services, Perm Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS and Infectious Diseases (AIDS Center). According to the Ministry of Health of Perm krai, the AIDS Center acts as an authorized institution providing vaccination against the new coronavirus infection among foreign citizens, including those international students studying in the Perm territory.

As of 3 October, 78 foreign citizens have been given vaccines against coronavirus, regionally. According to the Ministry of Health of Perm krai, 10,000 foreigners will be offered vaccination against COVID-19.

The Ministry explained that immunization of foreign citizens will be carried out using the Sputnik Light vaccine. The medical service will be provided individually on a separate agreement, providing international passport, at the cost of RUB 650 paid in cash.

Agreements with legal entities (employers) is also possible. To do this, companies need to send an email to the Financial Control Department at aidsfin@mail.ru, providing its contact details, as well as a list of people wishing to pass immunization, signed by the company’s head. The contact person for further info is Ms Maria Mansurovna Mikryukova, tel. 8 (342) 285-06-01.

In addition, it is possible to undergo immunization using a voluntary health insurance certificate, covering vaccination. The service is eligible through a contract between the insurance company and the AIDS Center.

Immunization of foreign citizens is provided at the following address: Perm, ul. A. Sviyazeva, 21, Department of Commercial Medical Services, Mon-Fri, from 8.30 to 12.30 and from 13.00 to 15.00.

If you have any questions on the process of immunization, please contact Ms Natalia Mikhailovna Mokova, Head of the Department of Commercial Medical Services, tel. 8 (342) 285-04-62.

To remind, the contra indications against the vaccine are:

  • hypersensitivity to any of the vaccine’s components or the vaccine containing similar components;
  • a medical history of severe allergic reactions;
  • acute infectious and non-infectious diseases, exacerbation of chronic diseases. In such cases, vaccination is carried out 2-4 weeks after the recovery or remission. With mild           ARVI (acute respiratory viral infection), acute infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, vaccination is carried out after the temperature has returned to normal;
  • pregnancy and the period of breastfeeding;
  • age up to 18 years.

Note that the immunization of foreign citizens against COVID-19 is carried out in accordance with the instruction of the President of the Russian Federation #PR-1096 from 06.26.2021, and by the decree of the Chief State Sanitary Doctor for Perm krai #206 from 13 July, 2021, “On conducting preventive vaccinations for certain groups of citizens for epidemic indications.”

News Source (original).

PSU Wins Priority 2030 Program, Gets Government Support

05.10.2021 / , , , ,

Valery Falkov, Head of the Ministry of Higher Education and Science of Russia (Министерство высшего образования и науки РФ) summed up the results of the selection of higher institutions, eligible for the annual state support of RUB 100 million. PSU has become one of 106 universities included in this list, as a result of the Contest selection, run on 18 September.

“Having won the competition, Perm State University will use its extra sources to reach for a new standard of education and partnerships. PSU is heading to overall adoption of individual learning plans and network educational programs – allowing to meet students’ interests and market expectations. We will also continue to develop the institution of tutorship and educational program managers, the latter responsible for constant update of learning process,”

comments Dr. Dmitry Krasilnikov, PSU Rector.

Addressing PSU staff meeting on 29 September, Dr. Dmitry Krasilnikov highly praised personal qualities that the University team showed in its most difficult time – helping the wounded, calming students, providing mutual support and working hard, both in office and online.

“All your actions are much appreciated and incredibly valuable,” emphasized Dr. Dmitry Krasilnikov. “Now is the time to come back to life. Perm State University will have to carry many important decisions about the campus security and further development of the university. We need to keep the unity we all share today. It will help the University step forward.”

Delta State University Invites PSU Patrons for Conference on Blues

04.10.2021 / , , , , , , ,

On 1-2 October, 2021, Delta State University (DSU, Cleveland, Mississippi, USA) invites Perm State University (PSU, Perm, Russia) to take part in the 8th Annual International Conference on the Blues (ICOB).

The event aims to celebrate the blues art form through scholarly activity, discourse and music, online. In 2021, the Conference is available through the award-winning event and conference platform, Whova. The program starts on Friday 1 October at 7pm local Perm time (5pm Moscow time and 12 noon UTC). Free registration on behalf of PSU is available polsvetlana@yandex.ru (see the link below).

The conference’s “Spirit of the Blues” theme explores connections among blues, gospel, and spirituals as interrelated African American music traditions in the Mississippi Delta and beyond. The Spirit of the Blues initiative is supported by a grant, awarded by the National Park Service’s Lower Mississippi Delta Initiative to Delta State’s Delta Center for Culture and Learning

Blues is known as a music genre growing in the Deep South of the US around the 1860s having its roots in African-American folk tradition and spirituals. The primary blues form is famous for its call-and-response pattern, ‘worried notes’ and confession mood. In the 20th century, blues gave birth to a vast variety of genres, including jazz and rock music, and even influenced rap and heavy metal.

The Conference will start with performances connecting the Black gospel tradition to the blues. The afternoon will feature academic presentations, exploring the music of the African diaspora; Black musical traditions and influences on American music and culture; the influence of blues, gospel, spirituals, and soul music; Black music as protest and social commentary; and Black artists and the music industry.

All academic presentations will be recorded and available for on-demand access.

“While live music is best, a positive of the virtual platform is that any registrant will be able to watch the performances, presentations, papers, and keynote addresses in real time and again as many times as they wish through Oct. 31, 2021,”

said conference co-chair Don Allan Mitchell, associate professor of English at Delta State.

Featured performances and presenters of the Conference include: Grammy-nominated Jontavious Willis; the Coahoma Community College Gospel Choir; Rev. Dr. Dwight Andrews, professor of music theory and African American music at Emory University and senior minister of First Congregational Church in Atlanta; Annette Hollowell, attorney, social activist and producer of traditional Black music for live music venues, and many more honorable guests and participants.

Perm State University thanks Delta State University for a kind and friendly offer to join! Online registration is now open to general public at www.deltastate.edu/blues To register on behalf Perm State University for free, please, write to Ms. Svetlana Polyakova, teaching professor at the Faculty of Modern Languages and Literature at polsvetlana@yandex.ru.

Delta State University has been a partner of Perm State University since 2013. In 2014, three professors at PSU – Dr. Nina Bochkareva, Prof. Elena Gritsenko, Prof. Svetlana Polyakova took place in the 2nd Annual International Conference on the Blues, for the first time, in person. PSU teaching staff actively involves music and arts into teaching process, hence the partnership.

Useful Links:

To learn more about the International Conference on the Blues, view past conferences or register for this year’s event, visit www.deltastate.edu/blues.

For questions, please address the Conference organizing Committee at blues@deltastate.edu

To register on behalf of Perm State University, please, write to: polsvetlana@yandex.ru

Please, read the full press-release here.

Pictures’ Source: Delta State University and Shutterstock.com

Distance Learning Mode Extended at PSU

01.10.2021 / , , ,

From 4 to 9 October, distance learning mode (online classes) will be offered to full-time and part-time undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, as well as those studying at PSU College of Professional Education.

“Distance learning has been extended in order to ensure the necessary security measures at the University. In addition, we are seeing an increase of covid-19 cases in the Perm Territory, so it would be wise to take our staff and students’ care into consideration,”

states Dr. Dmitry Krasilnikov, PSU Rector.

The access to the University campus remains restricted. For further info, please, see our updates.

PSU Sets Coordination Center for Preventing Extremism

29.09.2021 / , , , , ,

The new Center will deal with techniques and tutorial tasks of preparing info and educational materials to prevent the involvement of young people in destructive organizations, as well as promote better social and cultural adaptation of international students. The center’s specialists will conduct advanced training courses for employees of educational institutions.

“We are going to engage best Russian experts to prevent tragedies long before criminal strikes. The tasks of our experts will also include building trust and positive dialogue with young people. This is necessary in order to identify potential danger as early as possible,”

says Dr. Dmitry Krasilnikov, PSU Rector.

In October, Perm State University (PSU) will host a month of safety, during which students and staff will be instructed and trained in various emergency maneuvers.

“It is necessary to introduce an information analytical system that will unite work with all the regional youth at schools, colleges and universities. We will be able to use software products from several companies, allowing to monitor social networks, starting with ‘alert’ keywords, phrases and images. It is also necessary to ensure data exchange between secondary educational institutions and universities,”

said Elena Malkova, PSU Vice-Rector for Youth Policy.

For 2021, the Center’s plan includes the creation of a group for science and learning support of activities aimed at forming a civic position among young people. The Center will analyze the best practices in tat field, and set trainings among university staff supervising youth activities.

PSU Teacher Resists Tragedy, Shares Her Story

28.09.2021 / , , , , ,

Olga Grafova, Associate Professor, Department of Linguistics and Translation, Faculty of Modern Foreign Languages and Literature, Perm State University, was one of many teaching fellows, who run classes on 20 September, 2021. Olga learned about the shooting from a student who showed up late – the girl heard shots, on her way. Students started getting calls from friends around the campus.

Immediately after that, Olga and her students blocked the door and started considering the situation.

“We did feel uneasy all the time, – confesses Olga. – After we got ourselves barricaded, we searched for extra means of protection. In our case, we had a heavy metal laptop, one of the students had a pepper ‘mace’ spray. We put it by the door, so it calmed us down a bit. We spread around and sat our backs to the walls, yet we felt united, talked, and shared the news. “

For two hours, before the evacuation, Olga cheered each student with a word and hugs, maintaining a comfortable positive atmosphere in the classroom.

“Due to the fact that we stayed all together and kept talking, we felt some kind of complicity, being as one, which was helpful,” recollects Olga Grafova. – The Dean’s Office was also in constant touch: we received supporting calls from them, and reliable information.”

Olga Grafova and her students still keep in touch: “In circumstances like this, you tend to appreciate good people around and their support you,” Olga admits.

“Joining our Faculty, freshmen find themselves in a ‘family-close’ atmosphere, as we share most in common and know each other well, and so ready to help. For a student, this also means responsibility, as he or she won’t be lost in a study process. For us, in turn, it is important to deal with everyone in person, not just like an ‘audience’,” – points out Natalya Khorosheva, Head of the Department of Linguistics and Translation.

“In that extraordinary case, we as teachers never felt the necessity to continue the lesson, taking into consideration the psychological stress we were all in. Everyone, who happened to be with their students at that moment, with no immediate evacuation, did behave in a decent way – initiating support and dialogue on various matters, while keeping a constant contact with the Dean’s Office and Colleagues.
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