Karelia State Pedagogical Academy

The Karelian State Pedagogical Academy was the first higher educational institution in Karelia.

Establishment of the Karelian State Pedagogical Institute (as it was named back then) in November of 1931 laid the basis of higher education in Karelia. The first enrollment at the Faculty of Physics and Mathematics was 48 students. In 1996 the educational institution changed its status to a university.

Formation of a teacher is conducted with the focus on developing his/her potential using educational and scientific facilities and unique traditions of educating professional pedagogues.

KSPA actively cooperates with the Academy of Sciences thus introducing fundamental science and enhancing knowledge content of the educational process.

The Academy today is the institution that addresses cutting-edge challenges in education. We are guided by the motto – Pedagogical education is the education of specific purpose.

The Academy graduates can utilize acquired knowledge both in teaching at school and in many other fields. They are ready to face life challenges.

At the moment 3,500 students undergo full-time course of study and 1,500 students – extra-mural courses at 10 faculties at the Academy studying on 18 majors.

There are 38 departments at the Academy, research sector, postgraduate studies (aspirantura) on 19 majors. 114 postgraduate students (aspirants) study at the Academy (according to 2008 data). 56 persons are candidates for degrees. 62% of lecturers have academic degrees and ranks, including 12% are Doctors of Science, Professors, 8 persons are Academicians of various Russian and foreign Academies of Science, over 110 faculty members hold the titles of Honoured Science Worker of the Russian Federation of the Republic of Karelia, Honoured Culture Worker of RF or RK, Honoured Physical Culture Worker of RF or RK, Honoured Higher Education Worker of Russia.

KSPA hosts two regional Dissertation Councils (Doctorate and Candidate of Science), up to 15 scientific conferences per year, tens of implemented grants; it issues publications (about 80 editions), scientific works, monographs and manuals, approved by the Ministry of Education of Russia. Hundreds of articles in established editions were written by KSPA workers. The Academy students have won different contests. KSPA collaborates with many universities, scientific centers and educational institutions.

KSPA has modern educational facilities: 120 specialized laboratories and studies, the Center of New Information Technologies, Educational TV laboratory, museums, library holding about half a million of volumes, recreational facilities, modern hostels, scientific laboratories and the like.

33,190 specialists had graduated from the Academy till 2008. Many of them are successful teachers, state officials, scientists, principals and heads of other educational institutions, artists, athletes. 70% of the teachers in the Republic of Karelia are graduates of the Academy.

The international image of KSPA is determined by its relations with many universities of France, Sweden, Norway, the USA and Finland. The Academy and its Departments successfully participate in numerous international projects and programs, conduct students’ exchange with foreign educational institutions. Annually KSPA hosts various international scientific forums, conferences and seminars. The Academy has participated and coordinated various international projects granted by the European Commission, the Nordic Council of Ministers, the Norwegian Barents Secretariat, SIDA, CIMO, Ford Foundation, Soros Foundation, and other donors.

Faculties of Karelia State Pedagogical Academy:

• The Faculty of Geography and Natural Sciences
• The Faculty of Foreign Languages
• The Faculty of Primary Education
• The Faculty of Physical Culture
• The Faculty of History and Philology
• The Faculty of Physics and Mathematics
• The Faculty of Technology and Entrepreneurship
• The Faculty of Pre-School and Social Pedagogy and Psychology
• The Faculty of Psychology
• The Faculty of Extended Education

Student Accommodation

Rooms are fully furnished and consist of an apartment like system with a two bed with an attached toilet. On each floor, there is a common hall and a common kitchen for cooking. On the ground floor, there is a gym cum recreation center including a table tennis table. Hostel rooms come furnished with beds, mattress, pillows, blanket, two side tables, one cupboard per room and one table and chair per room. Occupants get a weekly change of bed-sheet and pillowcase. Hot water is available in designated hours. All rooms are centrally heated. A plumber, carpenter, and electrician are available on call.

We are looking forward invite you to study in our University!

Petrozavodsk City

Petrozavodsk is a city located in the northwestern part of Russia, the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Karelia, standing on the shores of Lake Onega.

Petrozavodsk features

The City Day in Petrozavodsk is celebrated on the last Saturday of June, in honor of the liberation of the city from the Finnish army during the Second World War. Kukkovka hill (193 meters) is the highest point in the city.

The climate of Petrozavodsk city area is continental, with some features of marine climate. Winters are long and mild, summers are short and cool. The average temperature in January is minus 9.3 degrees Celsius, in July – plus 17 degrees Celsius.

The population of the city consists mainly of Russians (86.7% in 2010). Besides, there are Karels (about 20% of all Karels reside in the city, 4%), Finns (1.8%), and Veps (over 50% of all Veps of Karelia and 25% of all Veps of Russia reside in the city, 1%). In general people of about 50 nationalities live in Petrozavodsk.

The local industry is represented by engineering and metalworking, forestry and wood processing, stone processing, construction, food, light and printing industries.

Petrozavodsk is located about 1028 km north of Moscow, 428 km north-east of St. Petersburg, about 350 km east of Finland by roads. The federal highway E105 M18 “Kola” (St. Petersburg – Murmansk – Norway) passes through the city. It is also a large railway hub (to St. Petersburg, Murmansk, Sortavala, Kostomuksha).

The airport of Petrozavodsk is located 12 km north-east of the city. Flights to Moscow and St. Petersburg are available.