Publisher

     The Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, St.-Petersburg — the oldest highest sports and educational educational institution in the world   is the oldest higher educational institution of the sports in the world, founded in 1896 by the prominent scientist Peter Francevich Lesgaft. From the first days of its existence it was one of the largest centers of scientific, cultural and political life of Russia.
     The following academics as I. P. Pavlov, A. F. Loffe, A. Ukhtomsky, E. V. Tarle, as many other stars of the Russian science have taught here. Students of P. F. Lesgaft (A. N. Krestovnikov, E. A. Kotikova, l. I. Chulickaya, etc.), as well as a number of the prominent figures in sports and physical culture movement (G. Duperron, E. S. Saltykov, K. H. Grantyn? etc.) became the founders of the scientific-pedagogical schools of the University. Thanks a lot to their efforts, the first course books for the physical culture universities have been prepared (during the years of its existence the University has published more than 1100 textbooks and manuals in total).The University keeps the priority in sports parades. In 1935, the university has been awarded with the Lenin order for outstanding sports and physical culture and military-mass activity.During the Great Patriotic war, the teachers and students of the Institute trained over 100 thousand soldiers of the Red Army.
     The University staff has formed 13 partisan fighters groups, which have successfully operated in Leningrad region. Therefor the institution (the only one civilian institution of higher education in the country) has been awarded with the order of the Red Banner. Three members of the University (D. A. Balakhani, V.A. Myagkov, K.I. Nazarova), became the Heroes of the Soviet Union.The University has glorious sporting traditions. Lecturer of the Institute, the skater N. A. Panin-Kolomenkin became in 1908 summer Olympics the first Olympic champion. The students and staff of the University have won in total 174 Olympic gold medals. Lesgaft members have won more than 700 gold medals in world and European Championships. More than 300 graduates of the University have the title of the honored master of sports and more than 500 have title of the Honored coach in various sports.
     The university has prepared about 40 thousand specialists for Russia and near-abroad countries as well as for the countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe.Since the foundation of the University it has been involved in intense and fruitful scientific work. The scientific schools has been formed covering the spheres of the anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, martial arts. About 200 employees have been awarded with the Government awards for the scientific achievements. Three of them (V. l. Komarov, A. A. Krasuskaya, l. A. Orbeli) have became the Heroes of Socialist Labor.The University has trained more than 1800 candidates of Sciences and 100 doctors of Sciences.
     The information technologies support for the educational and scientific processes have been constantly improved. The University Library is fully computerized, covering more than 740 thousand items of data base.About 5000 students are currently studying at the University, including 250 graduate students, doctoral students and applicants. It employs more than 570 teachers, 73% of them have the scientific degrees and titles, 18% have Phd and the title of Professor.Over the years, the University has been taking the leading position among the institutions of higher professional education in Russia in production of authors textbooks and teaching aids. International recognition of the University has been confirmed by its membership in many international organizations and associations, participation in scientific congresses under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee and the Council of Europe.
     The detailed information has been published in the website of the University:  http://lesgaft.spb.ru and http://pro-lesgaft.spb.ru)