Traditionally, the freshmen’s meeting was held on Lieutenant Schmidt Embankment, in front of the front entrance to Russia’s oldest technical university.
Rector Vladimir Litvinenko congratulated former applicants, and now students of Mining University on the beginning of the new academic year. He was joined in his congratulations by prominent alumni and the university's partners. In particular, Andrey Guryev, head of PhosAgro; Sergey Gustov, general director of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz; Sergey Serdyukov, former technical director of Nord Stream 2 AG, expert of the Russian Federation Council; Vladimir Tolkachev, president of GEOTEC Seismic Exploration; Ivanka Popovich, rector of Belgrade University and other honorary guests.
Vladimir Litvinenko opened the meeting. He noted that the hallmark of university students has always been a high level of education, intelligence, and other qualities that form a strong personality. The Rector also urged all first-year students from the very first days of study to tune in to the working mode and get ready for the acquaintance with the fundamental knowledge, which will be provided by qualified teaching staff.
“I want to set you up for serious, daily, and troublesome work. The teachers at Mining University are the best, perfectly qualified teachers. And its graduates, who form today’s talent pool, are in high demand by the labor market. I must remind you that the competition for admission to the university was great, and you passed it, but this is only the beginning of your journey. In order to pass it to the end you need to make maximum efforts and demonstrate all your potential,” noted Litvinenko.
He reminded the audience of last year, which was quite thorny, but despite the difficulties, a lot has been accomplished. In particular, the energetic modernization of the infrastructure and the development of the scientific activity of the university is actively proceeding.
We have done a lot of work, and today we can already feel the results. In this regard, I would like to say thank you to all our partners: such companies as PhosAgro, Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, Rosneft, Shell, and many others. The creation of joint competence centers is a way of mutually beneficial development,” summarized the rector.
Andrey Guryev, General Director of PhosAgro, joined in the congratulations and immediately suggested that we switch to the “language of business.” He noted that the set of competencies that students will receive in five years will determine their capitalization in the labour market. It will give them a competitive advantage in the competition for the most interesting vacancies. The head of one of the world’s leading producers of phosphate-based fertilizers also added that this year, 26 applicants were admitted based on PhosAgro’s educational programs.
“The first and most important step you took was the right one: you went to Mining University. It has the best faculty, a true forge of human resources. The university trains the best engineers who go on to work for leading mining and industrial companies in Russia and around the world. We attract the best minds to work at our enterprises. Talented graduates who can offer breakthrough solutions. We provide such specialists with decent working conditions: good salaries, opportunities for professional growth, foreign business trips, and help with housing issues,” said Andrey Guryev.
Sergey Gustov, a graduate of the oldest technical university in Russia, Director-General of Gazprom Mezhregiongaz, recalled with nostalgia how he became a student 35 years ago. And urged the current generation of first-year students to be focused and self-disciplined.
“You need to get involved right away and emphasize the first session. I keep saying: the most important thing at Mining University is to learn how to learn. Now everything is developing and changing rapidly, so you and I must be aware of the most advanced technologies to efficiently extract mineral resources from our subsoil. We look forward to welcoming students learning by ‘excellent’ and ‘good’ to PAO Gazprom,” said Sergey Gustov.
This year the technical director of Nord Stream 2 AG, expert of the Federation Council of RF Sergey Serdyukov celebrated the 50th anniversary of the graduation from Mining University. He urged the students “not to wait for miracles, but to start absorbing knowledge that the university provides today,” and also noted that “being born in the most resource-rich country in the world gives great opportunities.”
“A lot has changed in 50 years; you live in perfect conditions today. The time to get this or that knowledge is six times shorter. What’s more, you have instant access to almost any kind of knowledge. Your ability to communicate has increased dramatically. The main thing is not to be afraid and boldly pursue your goal,” Sergey Serdyukov said to the first-year students.
Vladimir Tolkachev, president of GEOTECH Seismic Exploration, added that Mining University has always been considered “not only an institute of words but also of deeds.”
“You, students, will find it hard, unexpectedly hard, being in a competitive environment if you are not prepared for it. A great war of redistribution of the global economy is currently underway, and what it will be, depends on you, the future graduates of the university.”
Representatives of the Serbian higher school also came to congratulate the new students of Mining University. Ivanka Popovic, the rector of Belgrade University, expressed the hope that the universities will continue active cooperation:
“It is not only a privilege but also a responsibility to become a student of such a university. It is hard to predict what the world will be like when you graduate. It is important that we, the creators of technology, control and develop it, not that we allow technology to control man. The world is demonstrating that we must work as a community. I hope our universities will be as friendly as our countries.”
Traditionally, Anatoly Suslov, vice-rector for the operation of the property complex, rang the symbolic First Bell. After that, the students went to the classrooms to meet their professors.
