On 27 May 2019, a festive ceremony of awarding the diploma and mantle of Honorary Doctor of St. Petersburg University to the JINR Director, RAS Academician V. A. Matveev was held at St. Petersburg University (SPbU).

In accordance with the extract from the protocol of the meeting of the SPbU Academic Council, the title of SPbU Honorary Doctor was awarded to Academician V.A. Matveev for his great contribution to the establishment of modern experimental and theoretical basis for fundamental nuclear physics, high energy physics, and neutrino astrophysics

The same day, JINR Director V. A. Matveev held a meeting with SPBU Rector N. M. Kropachev. At the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the development of cooperation between JINR and St. Petersburg University in the fields of scientific research and education.

The title “Honorary Doctor of St. Petersburg University” is to be awarded to outstanding figures of science, education and culture, state and public figures who have contributed to the development of international scientific, cultural, economic and political cooperation.

The tradition of awarding the title of Honorary Doctor has existed at St. Petersburg University since 1964, and, for the moment, the title has been awarded 129 times.