"Don"t be afraid to move forward": "TISBI" held an open dialogue with first-year students

A full house, lots of interested eyes, hundreds of questions and even more answers. Three weeks after the start of the new academic year, "TISBI" hosted a meeting that has already become a good tradition of the university, an open dialogue between first-year students and university representatives. The university talks about opportunities for students, students ask questions that later turn into new ideas and motivators - to study even harder and find interesting activities for everyone. After all, being a student is not only about studying, it's about a vibrant life. The meeting was attended by Dmitry Polyakov, Rector of "TISBI", Anna Nayda, First Vice-rector, Evgenia Prokhorova, Vice-rector for Youth Policy and Educational Activities, Elvira Sadykova, Executive Director of the UNESCO Chair, and the Chairman of the Student Council. However, this time a surprise was prepared for the students. Graduates of the University from previous years, who were also first-year students once, came to the meeting as invited guests, today they create their own business projects, occupy high positions and simply transfer their accumulated experience. Daniil Sheiko is the head of the IT Park business incubator, Elizaveta Gonzova is the public assistant to the head of the Office of the Anti-Terrorist Commission of the Republic of Tatarstan and Anna Baymyashkina is the head of the Regional Youth Ecological Public Organization of the Republic of Tatarstan "Budet Chisto" (It Will Be Clean). In addition, the meeting was attended by the invited guest of the partner company, Alexander Stepanov, Head of the "Alfa-Bank" JSC department. Rector Dmitry Polyakov opened the meeting with a welcoming speech. He briefly spoke about the university: about the way "TISBI" developed from a small institute in 1992 with several hundred students to the largest educational institution in Russia, about training programs, future prospects for students, about the purpose of the University and, of course, about the difference of "TISBI" from other educational institutions.

"Our main difference is practice-oriented education: students work in every class, they are active, and they work closely with employer partners. We want graduates to be in demand in the labor market. The main goal is to give you fundamental knowledge, to teach you how to think, navigate a rapidly changing world, communicate and be leaders."Dmitry Polyakov, Rector of the University of Management "TISBI"

The first Vice-rector continued the speech. She spoke in more detail about student activity, about opportunities and practices for students; that the development of the university depends on the development of each student and each graduate, that today's event is only the first step of immersion in a great atmosphere of opportunities and becoming part of the university family.

"Don't be afraid to fall. Find the strength to get up and move on, perhaps in a different direction. "TISBI" is open for this. There are many ways for your development at the university!"Anna Nayda, First Vice-rector of the University of Management "TISBI"

The graduates talked about their experiences, their time as students, and how the university helped them open up and become not just professionals in their field, but also fully formed personalities.

"Ten years ago, in 2016, I was sitting in this room just like you, and I didn't understand what prospects they were telling me about, what a student startup was, and what scholarships were available. But the university helped me at the very beginning, and I am sincerely grateful for that."Daniil Sheiko

"There are more and more regalia with age. I studied here to organize work with youth, then I entered a psychological and pedagogical education and now I work by profession. I love what I do."Elizabeth Gonzova

On this occasion, another landmark event took place at the meeting — the awarding of "Alfa Future" scholarships and awards from the partner company of Alfa-Bank JSC. The awards were presented by the head of the bank's department, Alexander Stepanov, to students who excelled in their studies and student activities. The meeting ended with a fair of student activities organized in the courtyard of the University. The students got acquainted with the creative directions of the university, the patriotic movement "Legion" and volunteer centers. Freshmen crowded the stands: some signed up for a dance studio, others asked about volunteer trips, and a whole queue of people who wanted to find out more details and touch the artifacts found stood near the "Legion" patriotic movement. The atmosphere was really lively - students moved from stand to stand, exchanged contacts and made arrangements for the first meetings. Evgenia Prokhorova, Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, noted that these are far from all areas for extracurricular activities; and also that the university always meets students halfway and is open to their suggestions.

"We try to create all the conditions: curators, tutors, management, graduates - everyone helps to make it good and interesting for every student to study here."Evgenia Prokhorova, Vice Rector for Youth Policy and Educational Activities