Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On the eve of Defender of the Fatherland Day, a celebratory event was held, attended by university employees who served in the Armed Forces of the USSR and the Russian Federation.
The rector of NSU, directors of institutes, and deans of faculties addressed those present with congratulations and welcoming words.
"Of course, this is already a traditional holiday, one that has become increasingly important in recent years—these are difficult times. And the very phrase 'Defender of the Fatherland Day' carries a particularly weighty weight. I would like to extend warm words of gratitude to all of you—to those who served, to those who were in the special military operation zone and returned home, and to those who continue to serve today—to you, a special thank you. We are proud that there are still brave people in our country. I wish you all the best, and most importantly, good health," said NSU Rector and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Dmitry Pyshny.
Dmitry Vladimirovich served in the Airborne Forces for two years. He says that at the very beginning, when he was called up, he was a bit scared and felt a certain amount of uncertainty. However, over time, his attitude changed, and he remained grateful for the experience. He believes that service helps him grow, teaches discipline, responsibility, and the ability to work in a team, as well as better understand and support each other. Ultimately, he has only warm memories of his military service.
On this day, we remember the founding fathers of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, who worked to strengthen the country's defense capability. Mikhail Alekseevich Lavrentyev, a participant in the Battle of Kursk, made a significant contribution to the restoration of scientific work at the institutes of the USSR Academy of Sciences after the Great Patriotic War. Sergei Lvovich Sobolev worked in the postwar years at LIPAN and the I.V. Kurchatov Institute of Atomic Energy, focusing on the atomic bomb and nuclear energy. During the war, Sergei Alekseevich Khristianovich took on the task of improving the shells for the most famous Soviet rocket artillery unit, the Katyusha.
"This tradition of the Siberian Branch continues successfully, with virtually all of our institutes maintaining active work and developing to varying degrees. It's important to emphasize that our goal is to create new technologies and build a solid scientific and technical foundation to ensure everything functions effectively and reliably. Times are challenging, but our work continues, and the university's role in these processes remains significant and in demand. We actively collaborate with major organizations such as Rosatom, Roscosmos, and many other leading companies, contributing to the development of key sectors of the economy and science," added Mikhail Lavrentyev, Dean of the NSU Faculty of Information Technology and Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Valery Arnoldovich Vernikovsky, Dean of the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics at Novosibirsk State University, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Honored Geologist of the Russian Federation, professor, retired senior lieutenant, artilleryman, and even commanded a mortar platoon during training. He never saw actual combat, but he nevertheless dedicated his years to helping our country explore the Arctic.
"First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the professors and teachers who have spent their entire careers working at the university and training the next generation of specialists. You have made a tremendous contribution to the development of our country and strengthening its security. I am convinced that each of you, in your own right, contributes to the protection and prosperity of our homeland. I sincerely congratulate you and express my deep gratitude for your work. I hope that our students and we will preserve and carry forward throughout our lives the patriotic values and qualities that have always been inherent in our people," said Valery Vernikovsky.
Mikhail Fedoruk, Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Scientific Director of the NSU Center for Artificial Intelligence (CAI), shared his memories of his years of military service:
"I would like to wish for the university to continue to develop and prosper. We have truly dedicated many years of our lives to it, and it has become something special for each of us. Almost everyone here today served in the army, some before entering the university, some during their studies. If we look back in history—to the years when students began to be drafted in the 1980s—we cannot help but acknowledge the achievements of the university's leadership at that time. They managed to retain almost everyone who served, returned, completed their studies, and became highly qualified specialists and worthy individuals. And, of course, we must follow the example of our predecessors."
Among the university's staff are those currently serving in the SVO zone or have already returned from the battlefield and are continuing their work. The rector expressed special gratitude to the participants of the special military operation present, namely Vasily Netsvetayev, a laboratory assistant at the NSU Faculty of Natural Sciences; Andrey Rovensky, a second-category engineer in the Chief Power Engineer's Department; and Pavel Stavitsky, a senior lecturer in the Department of Intelligent Systems and Thermal Physics at the NSU Institute of Intelligent Robotics.
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