Dear friends and colleagues, professors and students!
Today, a truly important holiday for all of us is celebrated in our country – Knowledge Day. The beginning of the new academic year is a time when each of us again gets a chance to become better, smarter, more talented, and more successful. Precisely on September 1, crossing the university threshold, we traditionally make a promise to ourselves to study hard and work hard – first of all, of course, on ourselves.
However, this is not the only reason why the long-awaited holiday is dear to us. Together with a pleasant thrill before the start of the academic year, freshmen are happy to meet new friends, and more experienced students and professors are glad to meet like-minded people and friends. Having passed the test of strength, having understood what forced isolation is, we all have learned to value sincere live communication, the pleasure of the opportunity to come to our university. That is why I am writing to you with an earnest request – please, take care of your health and do not risk the safety of others.
Dear friends, I would like to especially note that Saratov State University is a university with a unique history. This year we meet students for the 112th time. We are proud to draw your attention to the fact that SSU is a place where classical scientific traditions meet modern technical capabilities. An eloquent example of this is the opening of a new Faculty of Fundamental Medicine and Medical Technologies. It is a well-known fact that the first faculty of Saratov University was a medical one, and that its history continues today.
Another priority development vector for us and for the entire region remains overcoming the shortage of teaching staff. Quite recently, SSU has taken another serious step along this path, having concluded a number of cooperation agreements on the training of qualified specialists.
I am convinced that by maintaining that attitude to work, we will be able to fulfill any, even the most daring dreams. For this, the university has a solid base that allows students to realise not only their scientific but also their creative potential. The students have the opportunity to show themselves in sports, performance, journalism, and volunteering. The doors of the Student and Sports Clubs, the Undergraduate and Graduate Student Council, the Trade Union Committee as well as the editorial offices of the university media projects and the faculty electives are always open for them.
Since the epidemiological situation remains tense, it is highly likely that full-time and distance learning will continue to coexist as it was before. This should not upset us – being aware of our responsibility, we can turn the tide.
At the beginning of the new academic year, I sincerely wish all of us to stay healthy and have strength to fight any trials. Surely, inspiration, love for what we do, and conscientious work will be a strong help on this thorny but full of wonderful adventures path to knowledge.
Rector of Saratov State University
Aleksei Chumachenko