Southern Federal University

Southern Federal University is a university in the South of Russia, formed in November 2006 by merging state educational institutions of higher professional education: Rostov State University, Rostov State Academy of Architecture and Art, Rostov State Pedagogical University and Taganrog State Radio Engineering University.

The university is located in Rostov-on-Don and Taganrog and has eight branches in the South and North Caucasus Federal Districts.

Southern Federal University

History

2025

Receiving ₽1 billion for training specialists in artificial intelligence

Southern Federal University (SFU) received funding in the amount of ₽1 billion for the implementation of educational programs for the training of specialists in the field of artificial intelligence. The funds will be directed to a five-year period of development of specialized educational areas. This was reported by the press service of the university in May 2025.

According to the rector of SFU Inna Shevchenko, the bulk of the funding will come from partners - representatives of IT companies. Of the total amount, ₽300 million will be co-financing from industrial partners. In addition, in 2025, the university became the owner of two specialized grants Ministry of Digital Development Russia.

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Фото: Freepik

The rector emphasized that recruitment for specialized programs, which will be developed jointly with representatives of the IT industry, will amount to 350 people annually. This will significantly increase the number of highly qualified artificial intelligence specialists.

In addition to training personnel, the university began to form a center of Russian supercomputing means for artificial intelligence. According to development plans, by 2030, SFU plans to increase revenue from research and development in this area several times.

Inna Shevchenko noted that among the main problems affecting the quality of training of specialists in the field of IT and artificial intelligence in the Rostov region, there are a lack of accredited companies for student practice and a lack of highly qualified teachers.

In 2024, Southern Federal University took 12th place in the ranking of Russian universities for the training of specialists in the field of artificial intelligence. 207 universities from 69 regions of the country were included in the specified rating. Their activities were analyzed according to four key criteria: the demand for graduates in the labor market, the relevance of the learning process in the field of artificial intelligence, the educational environment and activity in the development of school education.^[1]

Agreement with Ricore aimed at improving the quality of training of students in IT disciplines

Ricore Group of Companies and Southern Federal University (SFU) signed a strategic cooperation agreement aimed at improving the quality of training of students in IT disciplines. This was announced by "Ricore" on March 17, 2025.

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Фото: Ricore

The goal of the partnership is to integrate the educational process in SFU with the real needs of the industry, which will allow students to gain up-to-date knowledge and practical skills that are in demand in the modern industry.

Within the framework of cooperation, training programs will be optimized taking into account the real needs of manufacturers of high-tech products. The training of specialists will be improved through the introduction of joint scientific and practical developments and the involvement of Ricore specialists in the training process. In addition, SFU students will have the opportunity to undergo educational, production and other types of practice at Ricore, which will ensure their immersion in the professional environment and gain valuable experience.

We are confident that cooperation between Ricore and the Southern Federal University will open up new opportunities for training qualified personnel who can realize themselves both in our company and in other manufacturers of computer and server equipment. This is an important step towards the formation of a highly professional community of specialists capable of solving urgent problems of the industry, - commented Sergey Kupriyanov, Vice President of Ricore.

The signing of an agreement between SFU and the Ricore group of companies is a significant step in the development of partnership between the university and domestic business. The modern IT industry requires not only fundamental knowledge, but also practical skills, so our joint work will be aimed at training specialists who can solve the most current technological problems. I am sure that our partnership with Ricore will be an important contribution to the development of the digital economy and the strengthening of the personnel potential of the IT industry in Russia, "said Gennady Veselov, director of the Institute of Computer Technologies and Information Security at SFU.

2022: Developing technology to control the computer's power of thought

Scientists at Southern Federal University (SFU) have announced the development of computer control technology for the power of thought. The system is a software package that allows you to control a computer and communicate with people who are paralyzed. A special device reads brain activity and binds to a bionic prosthesis or other external apparatus.

It is known that individual features of the brain make a significant contribution to the efficiency of the interface. That is why we use adaptive neural networks. This allows, based on electroencephalograms (EEG), to use "smart" search algorithms in real time and determine the mental equivalents of movements, "explained Dmitry Lazurenko, a leading researcher at the Laboratory of Neurotechnologies and Psychophysiology of SFU.

In the Russian Federation, a technology has been developed to control a computer with the power of thought

According to him, the advantage and novelty of the approach created at SFU is in a developed algorithm that allows you to determine the optimal settings for the method of classifying brain signals to solve the problem of neurocontrolling and neuroconfommunication in the brain-computer interface circuit.

It is expected that in the future, researchers will be able to further study the neurophysiological mechanisms of the brain under conditions of arbitrary motor activity and free behavior. This should help them optimize and develop neurointerfaces for various purposes.

Brain-computer neurointerfaces are non-muscle control and communication systems designed to help people who have lost mobility and independence. Often, such patients, being conscious, find themselves bedridden due to loss of muscle activity.

The study is supported by the Russian Science Foundation and is carried out within the framework of the Priority 2030 strategic academic leadership program^[2]

2019: Cooperation with Huawei to develop scientific cooperation and training

On July 31, 2019, it became known that HUAWEI and Southern Federal University signed a memorandum of strategic partnership. The ceremony was held in the main building of the Southern Federal University in Rostov-on-Don.

The parties agreed to start cooperation aimed at developing cooperation in the scientific field, training personnel, as well as promoting the brand. Huawei was represented by Leo Lee, president of the HUAWEI brand of the Consumer Business Group in Russia and the region. Acting Rector of SFU Inna Shevchenko was present from the Southern Federal University, and. about. Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Implementation of Youth Programs of the University Yakov Aslanov, and. about. Vice-Rector for Design and Innovation Activities and International Cooperation Yevgeny Mukhanov and other representatives.

HUAWEI pays special attention to cooperation with Southern Federal University. The signing of the memorandum not only expands HUAWEI's interaction with universities and students, but also brings the company closer to the goal of making the digital world accessible to everyone: for every family and organization, as well as creating an intellectual world, 'noted Leo Lee '

According to Yakov Aslanov, and. about. Vice-Rector for Educational Work and Implementation of Youth Programs, the partnership will contribute not only to the promotion of the HUAWEI brand at the university, but also to interaction in the scientific field, thanks to which more students of the Southern Federal University will have access to advanced technologies.