Research and education

Petrozavodsk is one of the leading educational centers of Northwest Russia. Big numbers of different profile highly-qualified specialists graduate from local higher education facilities every year.

The biggest higher education facility is Petrozavodsk State University founded in 1940, which consists of 14 faculties. It is the largest research, educational and cultural center of the European North of Russia and the leading university of the Northern Economic District. Over 10 000 students attend the 14 faculties of the university and its 4 satellites. Over 60 000 highly qualified specialists have been trained there. The graduates include academicians, ministers, prominent scientists and world-wide known people of culture as well as managers and employees of different industries of Russia.

The second largest higher education facility of Petrozavodsk is Karelian State Pedagogical University, which has trained a lot of talented trainers and researchers.It was founded in 1931 and now incorporates 10 faculties.

Besides, Petrozavodsk holds Karelian branch of St. Petersburg Conservatory. Petrozavodsk State Conservatory named after A. K. Glazunov, Karelian Tourism Institute, and a branch of Northwestern Public Service Academy.

A serious input into Russian science arrives from Karelian Research Center of Russian Academy of Science (KarRC RAS). One of the leading regional centers of RAS in Northwest Russia, it consists of 7 research institutes (Institute of Biology, Institute of Water Problems of the North, Institute of Geology, Forest Institute, Institute of Applied Mathematics Research, Institute of Economics, Institute of Language, Literature and History.

Libraries

The key book depositary of the Republic of Karelia, the National Library is of great significance for education and research.Being the largest information, cultural and leisure facility, it secures accumulation, safety, and provision of documents and information for meeting various needs of users. At present, the library has over 1,6 million documents on all subjects and on different media.

Secondary vocational training

The system of secondary education in Petrozavodsk encompasses facilities of elementary and secondary vocational training. One of the leading ones is Petrozavodsk Forest Engineering Technical School founded in 1924, which specializes on training forest sector employees. Petrozavodsk Machine Building college trains people for different industries, and Petrozavodsk Civil Engineering Technical School trains future employees of construction industry. Founded in 1930, Automobile Transport Technical School prepares automobile transport specialist, and Petrozavodsk River Fleet Technical School trains specialists for mixed river-and-sea class vessels. Specialists for railroad companies graduate from Petrozavodsk Railroad Transport technical School. There are also Petrozavodsk Technical School of Municipal Services, Êarelian College of Culture and Arts, Medical College, Pedagogical College and many other facilities of secondary vocational education.

Besides, the capital of Karelia gives wide opportunities for future musicians. The oldest Children’s Music School No. 1 named after G. Sinisalo, which celebrated its 90 th anniversary in 2008, teaches children to play 15 different musical instruments, sing and act in the theater. Another Petrozavodsk musical training facility — which is enjoying the same fame — Petrozavodsk Music College named after K. E. Rautio — was founded in 1938. The college has trained over 2000 specialists: musicians, performers, lead singers, band musicians and trainers. Located in the City Center, Children’s Music School No. 2 is also making its input in the development of Russian educational system and rearing the young generation. At present, this facility is progressing as the only choir school in the Republic of Karelia, which combines the newest technologies and the best traditions of Russian music education, what allows achieving excellent results in teaching children.

Municipal education

Petrozavodsk has a well-developed network of municipal preschool and secondary education facilities. Karelian capital holds 67 preschool institutions (including the ones for physically and mentally challenged kids) and 40 general education schools. Many schools are using the training programs for advanced training of some subjects and special focus is on foreign languages and local culture. Programs are being implemented on developing cooperation between Petrozavodsk school students and their mates from Sweden, Finland, Germany and the USA.

Evening (shift-based) and special (correction) education facilities are serving residents with special educational needs.