On September, 1 MEPhI has celebrated the Knowledge Day. Freshmen were offered a rich program of events, the holiday, which they will never forget. Gathering of participants took place at the entrance of MEPhI. No one came to the meeting place alone, students came in groups, then strayed into bigger groups, said hello like they know each other for 1000 years, and this all thanks to the School of tutors, where active students managed to gather and unite strangers in just one day. Friendly and noisy stream of freshmen students rushed to the museum-reserve "Kolomenskoye" where they lined up at the front porch of the Palace of Tsar Alexey Mikhailovich. Honored guests congratulated them, said parting words and wished success in their studies.
The event started with the speech of the first vice-rector of the National Research Nuclear University MEPhI O.V. Nagornov. Oleg Viktorovich congratulated the students with successful entry into the ranks of MEPhI students and noted that while studying might be difficult, student life was sure to be intense and exciting: "At University you will be able to receive any knowledge, to become highly skilled professionals."
Vice-rector of MEPhI E.B. Vesna stressed that even at this stage guys have already had great achievements: the end of school, the Unified State Exam, admission to one of the best universities of Russia, but also noted that that was not a reason to relax. They need to go forward and achieve new victories, what will lead them to good job in the future: "For example, the State Corporation Rosatom takes our graduates with great pleasure, knowing how they are prepared." Vice-rector warned that it will be necessary to work hard. "Hard work is the basis of training at our University and it is the basis of your future success. When you will get used to it, new achievements will fall down on you as from a cornucopia". Vice-rector wished the students to fulfill all their hopes and desires, and the University will definitely contribute to this: "You will find a lot of friends and hobbies in the University."
Director General of the Union of employers of the nuclear industry, energy and science of Russia A.Y. Khitrov made a parting speech: "You have made a very powerful step to become part of the nuclear industry, which today is the locomotive of the Russian economy and innovation, the industry that today creates the image of the country. I wish you to bring more interesting and useful things to it." Andrey Yurievich also noted that all the way of training students will be accompanied by excellent lecturers who will definitely help them to overcome this very difficult distance and receive MEPhI diploma.
The Director of the museum-reserve "Kolomenskoye" S.I. Khudyakov finished a series of congratulations. He noted the close proximity of the park to the University and invited the freshmen to join the excursions, lectures, conversations and master classes, which take place in Kolomenskoye. "This will give you the opportunity to combine a wonderful technical education with deep humanitarian knowledge, which will create the base that will help each of you to live an interesting life and build an outstanding career, which I sincerely wish you."
A costumed theatrical performance was held for the students. In the final of the performance, a falcon was released into the sky, which acted as a symbol of a high flight to the heights of science for future graduates.
The celebration continued with the performance of the famous Academic men's choir of MEPhI under the direction of the artistic director, honored artist of Russia N.V. Malyavina.
After the event, the column went to the University. An annual comic student initiation ceremony was prepared for freshmen in front of the main building, where they took an oath of a MEPhI student. Near the entrance was "Knowledge threshold", which students was proposed to stumble over so that not to stumble at the first session. Also, it was offered to rub the lamp and touch the abacus to attract good luck, but that's not all. Directly in front of the door of the main building was a student in arms protective kit who irrigated freshmen with "heavy reactor water" for good luck. From now on freshmen are the real MEPhI students and are full members of big and friendly collective of MEPhI!
The festival moved to the Main hall. Songs by the rock laboratory, the vocal studio Quanto di Stella and the chamber choir of our University, dances of the ESTA ball dance group, performances of sports and cultural associations MEPhI made the holiday unforgettable. Cultural and sports groups invited newly students in their ranks.
What do freshmen think about the holiday and about MEPhI? The guys told about their impressions:
Aklima Akylbaeva: "I was able to meet with the group on the "User manual" event; all the guys are very cool, good people, so today I didn’t worry. It’s a great idea with the ceremony of initiation into students, I'll never forget!"
Vadim Selev: "I studied at the MEPhI Lyceum and already know the University and the quality of education in it, so I wanted to enter only it. I know that admission to the University is not a guarantee of its completion, so I plan to spend more time studying. I really liked it the first of September; it was fun, bright and cool. At the initiation ceremony I was heavily sprayed with radioactive water, so I hope to be an excellent student. I have already met my group, they are smart and friendly guys. We quickly became friends and even chose the headman."
Ekaterina Shevchenko: "Today I solemnly promised myself not to fool around, but also to make a lot of friends. I think that I can find a lot of people who share my interests and hobbies in MEPhI, I have already met my classmates and even came here not alone, but with the company. I think that our friendship will be long and strong. Also I hope to get a job in my specialty."
Ilya Shevtsov: "I decided to come here a long time ago, visited the Open Doors Day, liked the local atmosphere and teachers. It is also important how the University shows itself in the Russian and world arena, I am talking about University rankings and in the context of the University prestige for foreign students. Today I’ve became even more confident in my choice and I am confident that certainly won’t be boring!"
Anastasia Ryabtseva: "I chose MEPhI because of the quality of education. In the future, I want to work not only in Russia, but also in the international arena, and the knowledge and diploma of MEPhI will help me. Thank you all the speakers for their congratulations and parting words."
Camilla Sadekova: "I have a lucky bracelet that I wore to all the exams and that was also on me when I went to get acquainted with my group. It is worth saying that all the experiences were in vain, that day I had a lot of fun and met my classmates, so today I’m in my element. Another important point is the study, I plan to devote more free time to it. Walking with friends is good, but you should not forget about the sessions. My mother set me up all my life: sit at the lectures on the first desk to see and hear better. I really want to prove myself during my studies and leave the University with a diploma and a job offer."
Regina Yultyeva: "I am sure that I will be able to get a good education here, as in the University regularly occupies a leading position in rankings. Thanks to the organizers for the event: words of encouragement, historical scene, water spray "from the reactor”. It was fun!"
After the concert, streams of classmates spread into the audiences for organizational meetings. Finally, audiences, which were empty during the summer, are filled with young and ambitious boys and girls again.
On the same day, organizational meetings were held for master and postgraduate students who chose MEPhI to continue their education at higher levels of education.
We congratulate the freshmen and wish you to implement everything you strive for!
