The Saint Petersburg State University (SPbU) is the oldest and one of the largest and leading classical centers of education and culture in Russia. It was established by a decree of Peter the Great on February 8 of 1724. The history of the University in the 18th century is closely related to the name of outstanding Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov.
By the middle of the 19th century, it became a major scientific and cultural center of the country, where famous scientific schools were formed: those of mathematician P. Chebyshev, biologists I. Mechnikov, A. Kovalevsky, and I. Sechenov. In the 1860s, scientific societies were arranged in the University: of naturalists, chemists, philological, anthropological and historical societies; besides, the Botanical Garden and the Astronomical Observatory were created. In 1878, the University opened the Higher Women's Courses, which laid the foundation for the education of girls in our country.
Nowadays, the SPbSU maintains its leading position in the Russian higher school. The educational and scientific complex includes 16 faculties, 11 institutes, a university-wide chair, the Department of Physical Education and Sports, the Military Training Centre, the College of Physical Education and Sports, of Economics and Technology, and the D.K. Faddeev Academic Gymnasium.
In 2009, the SPbSU was granted a special status of "a unique scientific and educational complex, the oldest higher education institution of the country, which is of paramount importance for the development of the Russian society".
The postage stamp provides an image of the main building of the St. Petersburg State University - the Twelve Colleges Building and the monument to Count Sergei Uvarov.
| Paper |
Printing method |
Perforation |
Format of the stamp |
Edition |
| Self-adhesive |
Offset + security system |
Die cut 11¼ |
36,5 × 29 mm |
72 thousand stamps |