Dear colleagues, students, and friends!

The university schedule traditionally includes a huge number of lectures, seminars as well as meetings with students and colleagues. In such a rhythm, it is not easy to slow down and stop to look at what has already been done. New Year's Eve is the time to make conclusions and plans for the future. We have much to be proud of: we are entering 2022 as a participant in the Priority 2030 programme – the largest programme of state support and development of universities in the history of modern Russia.

Only a few months have passed, but we have already received the first results on all strategic projects, unpacked a unique technique that will help our scientists to carry out the necessary research. Of course, our colossal work on preparing the SSU development programme for the Priority 2030, the presentation of this programme, and the start of its implementation is a good example of how the whole university lives by one common cause, strives for one goal. This is what will always make us strong: together we endeavour.

2021 is a landmark year for the Russian research community – the Year of Science and Technology. Probably, this is how we perceive the usual calendar for a long time: every day in SSU is a day of conducting research, exchange of experience with students and enrollees, and search for effective technologies and solutions. This year, for the first time, we have celebrated our professional holiday – Higher School Professor's Day.

We understand that the achievements of this year are the beginning of large-scale tasks that we set ourselves for the next decade. May these happy holidays fill our plans with the energy of creativity and goodness.

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas! May the next year be even more generous with joyful events for each of us! Stay healthy, receive good news, and be prosperous!

Rector of Saratov State University

Aleksei Chumachenko