DSc in Engineering, Professor at the SPbGASU Department of Construction Technology, Honorary Worker of Higher Professional Education of the Russian Federation, full member of the Petrovsky Academy of Sciences and Arts Antonina Yudina says that her path to science was not difficult for the main reason: she has always been interested in exact patterns and strict methods for testing hypotheses. For many years, the professor successfully combines pedagogical, scientific, methodological and social activities. We talk with her about how to turn all professional difficulties into solvable scientific problems and why it is necessary to constantly improve the quality of the educational process.

— How did your path to science begin?

— After graduating from the construction technical school, I worked as a foreman in construction for about two years. In 1968 I entered LISI (now SPbGASU). I especially liked the lectures of the teacher Lyubov Dmitrievna Akimova, her teaching methods. She was my graduate design supervisor. I did my graduation project on an individual assignment. This, perhaps, was my first step into science. In 1978, I succeeded in the competition for the position of assistant at the department of construction technology. Completed my PhD studies. And I have not lost interest in science to this day. I participated in the creation of the professional standard "Installer of concrete and metal structures", approved by the order of the Ministry of Labor of 23 March, 2015, and in the planning of the research work "Research and development of effective organizational and technological solutions in the construction of unique buildings and structures." I became the author of a new scientific theory of resource-saving technology for the manufacture of building mixtures on electrically treated mixing water in the conditions of a construction site during the construction of buildings from monolithic concrete and reinforced concrete. Its essence lies in the fact that at the stage of preparing the mixture, mixing water, the main component of the mixture, is processed in the electric field of soluble electrodes made of aluminum or iron alloy. As a result, water is saturated with the hydroxide of the electrode material and, during the hardening of the mixture, affects the hydration processes and the structure of the cement stone, as well as the physical, mechanical, technological and operational properties of building mixtures.

The effectiveness of the theory is confirmed by studies made by other authors, the results of which are given in authoritative sources.

— You are the author of many textbooks known far beyond the borders of your native university.

— I have written and published a number of textbooks and study guides on the construction, reconstruction of buildings and structures, which have become in demand in specialized universities. I also participate in the development of curricula in various disciplines of the department of construction technology. I have more than 200 published scientific and educational works, including those in leading scientific journals of the Higher Attestation Commission. Prepared an online course on the discipline "Technological processes in construction" for the Marconi International University (MIU, Italy), conducted online classes for students of Henan Urban University (China). For many years of work, I have participated and spoken at many all-Russian and international scientific conferences in various countries. These are effective platforms for the exchange of experience.

— What is the natury of your professorial activity?

— I combine pedagogical, scientific, methodological and social activities: I give lectures, including those on technological processes and technical regulation in construction, I conduct practical classes in all sections of the building technology course, I am the head of production and pre-diploma practice for students of construction specialties, final qualifying works of bachelors, master's theses in the field of study "Civil Engineering". Under my supervision, bachelor's and PhD students participate in the implementation of scientific and educational research projects, which are subsequently applied in specific projects and inventions, and participate in various competitions. Over the past five years, 47 bachelors and 45 masters have defended their final qualifying theses, a significant part of which have been awarded victories and prizes in student work competitions at various levels. So, the FQW of the 2019 master's degree graduate Vladimir Kutumov took first place. In 2021, master’s graduate Vladimir Kalitin was awarded a third degree diploma by the International Public Organization for the Promotion of Construction Education (ASV) in the nomination “Master’s Research in Construction Technology and Organization”. Four PhD students have successfully defended their dissertations, five PhD students are working on dissertations.

— So, new achievements are ahead?

— I am in a constant search and development of new methods to improve the quality of the educational process. Experience shows that it is with this approach of learning that students achieve great success both in science and in their subsequent professional activities.

Antonina Fedorovna Yudina is the Deputy Chairman of the SPbGASU Dissertation Council in the specialty "Construction technology and management"; Chairman of the State Attestation and Examination Commissions in the specialty "Industrial and Civil Engineering" at the St Petersburg State Agrarian University; member of the State Examination Commission for PhD training of scientific and pedagogical personnel in the fields of study "Construction technique and technology"; Member of the State Attestation and Examination Commissions in the specialty "Industrial and Civil Engineering" at SPbGASU, member of the editorial board of the journal "Economics of Construction and Environmental Management", member of the editorial board of the scientific and technical journal "Construction Production", member of the jury of the competition of final qualifying works held by the International Public Organization for the Promotion of Construction Education (ASV). Professor A.F. Yudina has a webpage in the international web encyclopedia "Wikipedia". From 2012 to 2017, she acted as the head of the Department of Construction Production.