Today, first-year students of all SSU institutes, faculties, and colleges, university staff, and professors have gathered at Student Square in front of Chernyshevsky Monument.

At the beginning of the solemn line-up dedicated to Knowledge Day, we rendered the honours to the nations, Saratov Region, and the university. The responsible mission was carried out by Director of the Institute of Archaeology and Cultural Heritage, Chair of the Department of Ancient World History Sergei Monakhov, a fourth-year postgraduate of the Institute of Chemistry Daniil Drozd, and a fourth-year student of the Institute of Chemistry Maria Chevtayeva.

In his welcoming speech, Rector Aleksei Chumachenko noted that not only students, but also professors and staff of SSU had been waiting for the holiday for a long time. ‘I am very pleased to congratulate you on becoming students of the university, of which we are proud. Our university has been working for the benefit of the country for 113 years. SSU is one of the five imperial universities in Russia,’ he pointed out. The rector also recalled the continuity of generations and sincerely wished the first-year students success in their studies.

Aleksei Karev, a graduate of SSU, a TV presenter of the Saratov State TV and Radio Broadcasting Company, became the host of the holiday. The concert programme of the line-up was presented by the band of SSU and the Art-Mix dance group. A student of the Institute of Chemistry Alexander Zhumagaliyev performed the famous Student's Song, a student of the Faculty of Law Evgenia Alekhina sang a patriotic song.

Traditionally, students laid flowers at Chernyshevsky Monument and the Memorial of SSU and SSMU Staff and Sudents.

The responsible right to speak on behalf of the first-year students was granted to Anna Laryukova and Maxim Demjanjuk, to whom the rector handed a symbolic student ID and a record book. ‘From all the first-year students of Saratov University in 2022, I would like to say that we have been studying for eleven years, learning about the world and ourselves. Now we are standing in SSU – the leading university in the region, the most multifaceted centre for the best student youth in its educational activities and research,’ the first–year students said proudly. They added that their student life would start in Saratov University, it would be full of opportunities, discoveries, self-development, and the choice of professions. Also, they promised to carefully preserve traditions and continue the centuries-old history of the university.

In the second part of the holiday, first-year students were waiting for student organisations. The programme was led by Vladislav Bykov, Acting Chair of the SSU Council of Undergraduates and Postgraduates.

The university youth organisations told the first-year students about themselves, invited them to join the active social and creative life of the university. The SSU Council of Undergraduates and Postgraduates held interactive contests and presented branded products to the winners. The headquarters of the student groups organised a dance flash mob and a contest for the best joint photo. The editors-in-chief of the SGUshchyonka magazine invited students to the first full-time meeting this year. The Student Club, with a creative performance, called on first-year students to join their friendly and cheerful team.

‘Everything was very cool! I liked that all student organisations tried to cheer us up in every possible way, did not let us get bored. I especially liked the improvisation from the Student Club. The organisation of the event was at the highest level,’ Dmitrii Gusev, a first-year student of the Institute of Physics, commented on his impressions.

‘Contests, cheerful hosts, bright performances, understanding leaders have helped cope with all worries about the difficulties of student life. The atmosphere was positive, I tuned in to work, I got good impressions! SSU has now become my second home!’ a first-year student of the Institute of Philology and Journalism Nadezhda Kalinina said. After the line-up, the students went to meetings in their institutes, faculties, and colleges.

Look for the photos and videos from the line-up in the VKontakte groups of Saratov University and the SGUshchyonka student magazine.