Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Excitement, smiles, anticipation… For the 50th anniversary, the most persistent, disciplined, and multi-tasking students of RUDN University—participants in the Honors Rally—gathered in the assembly hall of the main building.
There are 1,290 students with straight A's this year, 93 of whom are foreigners.
The leaders among the faculties were:
Faculty of Philology – 228 excellent students; Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – 226 excellent students; Engineering Academy – 170 excellent students.
The numbers were distributed by semester as follows:
2 semesters — 668 students; 4 semesters — 271; 6 semesters — 210; 8 semesters — 95; 10 semesters — 46.
The gala evening opened with a video debunking the myths about top students. They're not boring, nerdy, or stuffy! They're goal-oriented kids with busy lives, juggling studies, science, creativity, sports, and even work. Then, our university's rector, Oleg Yastrebov, delivered a welcoming speech.
"Getting straight A's is a testament to perseverance, determination, and willpower! When a student gets straight A's, it speaks volumes about their attitude toward themselves, their work, and those around them: they do everything perfectly and don't allow the "good enough" attitude. "A-level students, congratulations to each and every one of you!" — Oleg Yastrebov, Rector of RUDN University.
The hall was filled with talented and hardworking RUDN students! The rector presented certificates and diplomas to students who received scholarships:
Eight students received a scholarship named after the first rector of RUDN University, Sergei Rumyantsev; eight students received a scholarship named after the second rector of RUDN University, Vladimir Stanis.
In addition, the Primary Trade Union Organization and the Scientific Department of RUDN University each awarded 12 people with certificates.
Quiz break
Following the initial awards ceremony, the hosts of the celebration and RUDN University Vice-Rector for Student Affairs Mikhail Katsarsky held a quiz with prizes for everyone in the hall. The five fastest and most knowledgeable students answered questions such as: "Who first proposed the idea of the World Wide Web?", "Which element on the periodic table is named after the Moon?", "Which fruit was considered a symbol of immortality in ancient China?", "Which literary work begins with the words, 'All happy families are alike'?", and "Which geographical discovery by Vasco da Gama marked the beginning of the Age of Discovery?"
If you answered: selenium, Leo Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, peach, and the sea route to India around Africa, then you're probably an excellent student too. The first drawing at the event was conducted by Ivan Kornev, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Financial Monitoring, and Yegor Litvinenko, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs. The distinguished guests addressed the excellent students with parting words.
"A specialist knows how the system works, while a professional understands why it works the way it does, sees its limits, and is able to expand them. These are the kind of people we are currently focusing on, and these are the kind of professionals RUDN produces. I wish all the top students to continue to move forward," says Ivan Kornev.
"This room is filled with truly brilliant minds, sparkling eyes, eager for new knowledge and achievements. Do everything to realize your dreams and be just as friendly and vibrant," said Yegor Litvinenko.
Ivan Alexandrovich and Yegor Vasilyevich drew the name of the new tablet's winner from the lottery machine. It turned out to be Sergei Kovtunov, an eighth-semester honors student in the Artificial Intelligence department.
The moment for the main raffle—a Geely Coolray—was drawing near. Beforehand, the RUDN University rector presented gifts to all ten-semester top students. One of them, Yulia Taralina, a student in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, delivered a touching speech to the guests present at the celebration.
"I look around the room, and I can see people with some kind of superpower. Because the top students are the ones who can get up when they're exhausted, the ones who sit at their laptop all night, and then smile in the morning and turn in their project. They're the ones who have a storm inside them, yet they still support their classmates. They're the ones who set goals higher than themselves and still jump in, unafraid. But we weren't born this way. RUDN University gave us all of this, because it's not just a place where you learn. It's a place where we learn endurance, true friendship, and the ability to understand someone who speaks another language. A place where you become a citizen of the world without ceasing to be yourself," says Yulia Taralina.
"Today's event is dedicated to you, the top students—those people who are sometimes disliked. But why? Because you're different? It's true: you're distinguished by your diligence, and you have excellent communication skills. Because sometimes it's not what you say, but how you say it, even how to charm. Your achievements speak for themselves. I envy you, in a good-natured way, because all paths, all roads, are open to you," Anastasia Bondarenko.
Do everything to the maximum
By chance (or "Boris Chernyshov's good graces"), the car's owner was Sofia Paplauskas, a master's student majoring in Construction at the Engineering Academy. This is the second year in a row that luck has been on the academy's side.
"I never aimed for straight A's, I just always tried to do my best in everything I did. I strove for something better, something greater. I always thought: if I have the opportunity to achieve my best, why not do it?" — Sofia Paplauskas.
According to the girl, for a long time the possibility of winning a car seemed unrealistic to her, until last year, when a representative of the engineering academy became the owner of the car.
"When my name was announced today, at first I thought I was imagining things. But no! This victory is a sign to me that all the effort invested in development, work, and study always pays off, and everything we do in life is not just for nothing. I want to thank RUDN University for becoming a home and a meaningful place in my life over the years, giving me so much more than just education and knowledge," says Sofia Paplauskas.
And although the car went to just one person, all the excellent students, starting from the fourth semester, received scholarships:
4 semesters — 20 thousand rubles; 6 semesters — 40 thousand rubles; 8 semesters — 50 thousand rubles; 10 semesters — 60 thousand rubles.
The holiday is over, but the pleasant aftertaste from it will remain with the excellent students for a long time.
An interview with Sofia Paplauskas will be published on the website soon: she will share the secret to her success, what it's like to spend 10 semesters getting straight A's, and whether she finds time to relax.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.