Alena Aleshina: "I appreciate every colleague  I work and communicate with at the University"

More than 170 employees of Polytechnic received medals, badges of honor, diplomas and commendations from the university, the government of St. Petersburg, ministries and agencies of the Russian Federation, and companies from various industries - partners of SPbPU. Among them was Director of the Higher School of Power Engineering of the Institute of Energy Alena Aleshina. Rector of Polytechnic Andrey Rudskoy handed her two awards - the medal "For Irreproachable Labor and Distinction" of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation and the medal "For Cooperation" of the Ministry of Transportation of the Russian Federation. of the Ministry of Transportation of the Russian Federation.

We could say about Alena as about the character of the movie "The Caucasian Captive", but in slightly different words. Not "a student, sportswoman, Komsomol girl and a beauty", but "a talented manager, a caring mother, a sportswoman and a beauty".

However, she received her first professional award when she was still a student. That's where we started our conversation.

- Alena, I came across a post on the Politech website saying that while you were still a student you won the RAS competition and received a medal and a prize from the Academy of Sciences. Was it probably your first award at the university? What kind of work did you submit for the competition?

- Yes, indeed, it was in 2010. I remember, the beginning of spring, the phone rings, on the other end of the line: "Hello! ... You are the winner of the RAS competition among students, we invite you to Moscow, to the Academy of Sciences for the award ceremony! Will you be able to come?" I was surprised, but at the same time happy - yes, of course! The realization of winning the competition came a little later.

I submitted my work in the field of "Physical and Technical Problems of Power Engineering". My classmate had won in the same nomination the year before, so the probability that a representative of the same department would win for the second year in a row was, as it seemed to me, close to zero. But I purposefully prepared for this competition (in addition to preparing the work itself): I made presentations at various conferences, Russian and international, wrote articles in VAK journals.

My work was titled: "Improving the efficiency of CCGTs (combined cycle gas turbines - editor's note) of large and small capacity". The paper considered two directions of possible development of combined-cycle technologies: the first one is related to increasing the efficiency of condensing combined-cycle units operating on natural gas; the second one is related to realization of combined-cycle units on solid fuel (coal, plant biomass, including peat).

It is still considered highly honorable to win the RAS competition for students and young scientists. Every year one or two polytechnics become winners in each nomination.

But the very first and most unexpected achievement for me was the second place in the contest of scientific works of bachelors in the field of "Thermal Power Engineering" held by Tomsk Polytechnic University. This became a kind of catalyst in my scientific activity: there was a drive to conduct scientific research, prepare articles, more active participation in competitions and conferences.

- What were your student years like? Why did you enter Polytech, what was the name of the faculty you chose at that time?

- I did not enroll in Polyteh. The first two years I studied at Petrozavodsk State University (PetrSU), specializing in "Energy supply of enterprises". My classmate from PetrSU transferred to Polytech after the first year and started actively encouraging me to transfer to Polytech as well. In the middle of my second year, I came to Polytechnic University for an appointment with the deputy dean of the Power Engineering Faculty to clarify how realistic it was. Everything worked out, several students went on academic leave, and I was transferred to Polytech. That's how I found myself in the third year of the Power Engineering Faculty, on the bachelor's degree program "Heat Power Engineering and Heat Engineering".

The third year was quite difficult, because we had to take extra classes, due to the difference in curricula, plus we continued to do coursework, started in the fourth semester. That's why we had to study a lot: we had to study the material of the fourth semester on our own and do the assignments of the fifth semester. In general, the adaptation went smoothly, everything was completed, and we could relax. But once, at the beginning of the fourth year, at one of the classes, the head of the department "Industrial Heat Power Engineering" Valery Mikhailovich Borovkov chose a few students (including me), said that we would be involved in scientific research with them, to prepare articles under his guidance, and asked to come after the classes. At that time "scientific research", "scientific articles", "journals from the VAK list" were something beyond reach, but interesting. That day I was given the very topic with which I won the RAS competition.

- I guess you were an excellent student and graduated with honors? Did you have time for extracurricular activities? Did you work in a student squad, do sports, something else?

- Yes, in fact, I graduated from Polytech with a honors degree, and my name is even on the list of "golden" graduates. Besides studies, sports have always been in my life. At PetrSU I played basketball and volleyball for the faculty, was a member of the university basketball team and played for the university in track and field competitions. When I transferred to Polytech, there was no women's basketball team there at that time. And by chance I got into boxing (yes, boxing!), even went to the camp "Yuzhny" for training with a team of boxers.

Student squads were not popular during my student years, we didn't even know about their existence. Therefore, I believe that today's students are very lucky that they have the opportunity to try out the student squads movement, to get acquainted with guys from other institutes, and most importantly, to live their student years in an interesting way!

- Why did you decide to stay at Politech after graduation? Did you teach or were you more involved in scientific activities? How did you become the director of a higher school?

- As I have already said, in the fourth year I was given a topic of research work related to steam-gas plants, but the course "Steam-gas plants" according to the curriculum was only in the first year of Master's degree, so I had to come to the teachers to get consultations. Then I was involved in various tasks of the department: from creating original layouts of textbooks to discussing curricula with industrial partners. So I have started to immerse myself in the educational and methodological aspects of the educational process organization.

Following graduation from the Master's program, I enrolled in postgraduate studies and stayed on as a lecturer at the department. In 2012, I won Presidential scholarship for postgraduates to study abroad and spent the 2012-2013 academic year in Finland.

In 2013 Polytech joined the Competitiveness Project "5-100-2020", aimed at the university's growth in international rankings, intensification of international and Russian academic mobility of scientific and pedagogical staff, attracting international students to study in Russian universities and scientific research. I just returned from Finland, and Nikolai A. Zabelin, Director of the Institute of Energy and Transport Systems, offered me to head international activities at the Institute and to develop international educational programs in English for international students. Here I benefited from the experience of my studies in Finland and familiarity with the European education system, because at that time our main partners were EU universities. We actively expanded master's programs in English, organized summer and winter schools on energy for international students. And so I worked as the Institute's Deputy Director for International Activities until the fall of 2021, when, quite unexpectedly for me, the Director of the Institute of Energy, Yuri Petrenya, offered me to direct the Graduate School of Power Engineering.

- Have you always had management skills, or did you have to change something in yourself?

- Of course, I had to learn a lot. The position of Deputy Director of the Institute for International Activities proved to be an excellent school. Experience in presentations, including English, communication with people of different cultures, teamwork, business correspondence, negotiations, experience in decision-making and responsibility for them, strategic thinking - all these qualities are required in my current position. Some people have these qualities by nature, but I had to work on them.

- How do you assess your two-year work as director? What do you think you have achieved and what is still to be done?

- The main thing is that my work is appreciated by my colleagues, the staff of the Higher School and students. I am very grateful to everyone who agrees to participate in various projects for the development of Higher School, who responds to my requests.

We have a tradition to meet once a year with active students and group leaders and communicate "without ties". At these meetings, students tell us about the difficulties they face in the learning process, tell us what they lack and what, on the contrary, they like. We, in turn, record all this and try to solve the issues during the year, if it is really important and we can help them. It is valuable when the students themselves, who have already reached Master's degree, tell the younger students what changes have taken place, what has improved, and how lucky they are that "they are still young"!

- Which industrial partners are the most productive in terms of cooperation?

- I am in charge of the Graduate School of Power Engineering at a time when the largest power engineering companies are facing the challenge of import substitution of power equipment. And this period is marked by an enormous demand for personnel with strong fundamental training, which is exactly what Polytech provides.

Currently, at the Higher School we are fostering scientific interaction and educational cooperation with Power Machines, Gazprom subsidiaries: Gazprom Transgaz St. Petersburg, Gazprom Energoholding Industrial Assets (including Nevsky Plant), TGK-1, NPO CKTI, TsKBM, ODK-Klimov, ODK-Service and many others.

For example, we have developed and are already implementing a bachelor's degree program with Power Machines, where leading specialists of the company are involved in teaching special disciplines. This program also provides students with an additional working profession.

We value every industrial partner who participates in shaping new generation of engineers.

- Recently, SPbPU and ODK have opened a research and education space "Advanced Digital Technologies in Engine Building" and a demonstration stand "Aircraft Engine with Control System". Will students from your Graduate School study there?

- Yes, within the framework of the Advanced Engineering School, the staff of HSPE participates in scientific and educational projects with ODK. In 2024, we will launch a Master's degree program "Advanced Digital Technologies in Engine Building" jointly with the specialists of the Engineering Center "Computer Engineering Center" and leading experts of the engine building industry.

In 2023, a lot of work was done to restore the simulator base of the Turbine Engineering Laboratory named after I. I. Kirillov.  New stands and software were purchased, they have already been integrated into the educational process, including students of HSPE. Besides, we will use some of the stands when working with schoolchildren at intensives organized by Politech in the format of summer schools, engineering leagues, etc., as well as when working with schoolchildren studying in engineering classes of ODK-Klimov and Power Machines.

It is also a pleasure to mention that a lot of work has been done by the 4th year Bachelor's and 1st year Master's students of Higher School of , who in parallel with their studies work as engineers and laboratory assistants at the Advanced Engineering School "Digital Engineering".

- How do you plan your working day to have time for everything?

- To be honest, I don't always have time for everything. In the morning, when I arrive at my workplace, I check my calendar, Directum and my mail. After that, I can get on with current issues. What makes our work so interesting, but at the same time complex, is that a number of tasks can arise spontaneously: the ceiling leaks somewhere, or the electricity goes out, or a request from an industrial partner, or a report is urgently needed.... Therefore, every day is different from the previous one, especially when there is a willingness to develop the Higher School: to improve its material and technical base, to revise educational programs to meet the demands of industry, to introduce new teaching technologies, including those based on digitalization, and much, much more.

- What do you do outside of work? How do you like to spend your free time?

- Well, I don't have much free time during the week. So morning runs have had to be moved to 5:50. In addition, I try to fit a few running and swimming workouts into my weekly schedule. And on Saturdays I go to the mosaic studio - it is a kind of meditation and rest for my head and body from the bustle, work, household chores, when 3-4 hours you can afford not to think about anything, but just put together a mosaic of stone, smalt or glass and be fully involved in the creative process.

On weekends, I try to go somewhere with my children - to the swimming pool, theater, skating rink, or to go to the countryside.

- I have seen that you travel a lot. Is this your hobby or business travel? What countries have you visited for work, and in what places did you just visit for vacation?

- During my work as deputy director of the institute for international activities, I have traveled abroad a lot. Once I even traveled to Bangladesh, where Rosatom is currently building the Ruppur nuclear power plant. This is probably the only country where I would not want to go again.

I like going abroad on business visits: I can work productively, communicate with colleagues, exchange experience, get acquainted with the culture of the country, and see the sights, if there is time left. Such business trips are always very intensive and interesting! I also like to go on vacation, and not only abroad - last year I discovered Altai and Dagestan.

- Do you have any favorite places in Russia, in St. Petersburg?

- I love coming to Karelia for at least a week in the summer. The beauty of nature is hard to put into words, you just have to go there and see everything with your own eyes! And the variety of northern berries! Just hear: cloudberries, blueberries, blueberries, wild raspberries, cranberries, lingonberries - and it all grows within walking distance! You don't have to specially plan a weekend to visit the woods. If we're talking about St. Petersburg, it's definitely the Gulf of Finland with its unique sunrises and sunsets.

- Why did you start running? If I'm not mistaken, you took part in the Victor Lyagin Memorial Run? What result did you come to the finish line with?

- Until my second year of university, I was involved in track and field athletics, six workouts a week were a necessity of life. But then for many years systematic running was missing from my life. And last year my friend suggested that I sign up for the program "Running with pleasure", where for 21 days they teach you how to run safely, and also develop the habit of running every day. After all, they say that if you want something to become your habit, do it 21 days in a row, then it will become a norm and a need. That's how I've been running for a year now. Yes, I participated in the Lyagin Memorial Run.

Last year I ran 24:35. This year I hope to improve it.

- Do you celebrate the 8th of March? Do you think men and women have equal opportunities in science?

- This year was a very family-oriented March 8! Me and my daughters finally went to the ice rink at Flagstaff, we had a great time skating and spending time together! There were also lots of flowers and congratulations!

If we talk about opportunities in science and look at the statistics, there are more men in science. And, in general, if you look at the university management, there are a lot more men. But this does not mean that women cannot cope with the tasks, on the contrary, it seems to me that with some tasks women can cope better. That is why balance is important everywhere, like yin and yang.

- Tell us about your childhood and youth.

- I was born and grew up in Petrozavodsk. I spent every summer at the dacha with my grandparents. As the community was small, only 120 gardens, we children knew each other, and we had a very friendly company. We invented different games, rode bicycles, went together to the woods for mushrooms and berries, fishing and hiking, swimming at the lake. When I got older, I went to a sports camp for 21 days - these are the warmest memories! Training, various sports games, evening events, discos.... Thanks to sports, we formed a group of friends that we are still friends with, even though we live in different cities and countries.

As in school in grades 8-11 we had a very tight schedule (because of the large number of special courses in math, which was led by a teacher from the university), plus daily training for 2.5-3 hours, there was only time to quickly do homework and rest at least a little, to read. In my youth I really liked detectives.

- Has your attitude to yourself changed over the years? How would you characterize yourself in your youth and now?

- In my childhood and youth I didn't like to be in the center of attention, I avoided public appearances in every possible way, I wanted to be a "gray mouse" and hide far away, only not to be asked and not to be disturbed. Then, having entered the university, as they say now, I began to "pump" skills of presentations, public speaking, but it was rather a forced measure than my goal. Looking back at myself in the past, I am proud that I became the person I am now. And, of course, the process of change and shaping of me today would not have happened without the people who surround me and the situations I go through.

- Who do you have the best working relationships and most friendly relations with at Politech? Who are the people you would like to thank for your knowledge and support at the university?

- I'm probably lucky, but I have good relations with many people at Politech. At least, I think so. (Smiling.) If I were to list everyone, I could delete all the answers above, because there wouldn't be enough space. I am grateful to Yuri Petrenya that he believed in me and decided to entrust me with the leadership of the Higher School, I am grateful to the staff of the Higher School for the willingness to work together, I am grateful to the university administration for the opportunities given to us for development! I appreciate every colleague I work and communicate with at the university.

Interview by Ekaterina Efimova
Public Relations Specialist, News Portal Department