Conception of humanitarian environment in the sphere of higher education is considered against the globalization background of the XXI century. Humanitarian education and community engagement of students are evaluated with definite examples from the polytechnic university, such as legal clinic, centre for psychological assistance and linguistic tutoring to children and students. Three humanitarian projects uniting students for cooperation in global and urban settings are described: Russian linguists in rural Nicaragua, cultural heritage preservation, dialogue of cultures as a telecommunication project.