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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.

PSU International Student Helped Evacuation

27.09.2021 / , , , , ,

Ovezberdi Sabyrov (Turkmenistan), a 3rd-year student of the Faculty of Chemistry, Perm State University, kept his temper and did his best to evacuate a group of students off campus.

At the moment of the tragedy of 20 September, Ovezberdi was on the ground floor, was waiting for the classes to start. Suddenly, he heard the sound of gunfire, and saw students running by, shouting.  When the international student saw the shooter saw the guard wounded, it became clear there was no joke involved, and the situation was serious.

Ovezberdi understood it was extremely unsafe to stay in the same place, so he looked for a safe way out. The student gathered his Turkmen and Russian friends, caught other ones on the way, and led them towards Students’ Club (Building 7). There, the University staff pointed them for an emergency exit.

Having reached the Students’ Club, Ovezberdi realized he would not be able to run out first and call for immediate help, as there were too many people at the exit. He instantly decided to jump out the window of the ground floor. Once on the street, the student rushed off campus, and warned passers-by about the danger, and made a call to police.

“I tried to explain the students around that it was important to avoid panic, and quickly step out,”

said Ovezberdi Sabyrov.

Back at home in Turkmenistan, Ovezberdi served in the military for two years. Those days he learned to properly act in emergency situations, when first you evacuate people, and then report to the police. Fellow officers speak of Ovezberdi Sabyrov as a calm, honest and diligent person.
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