A Tread connecting the times
International Students Day celebrated on November 17, has already become a traditional celebration with an annual contest "Student of the Year", held at Belgorod State Technological University named after V.G. Shukhov. In the autumn evening, the Concert Hall of the Students Art Centre could hardly accommodate all the viewers, who came to support the contestants. "Armed" with placards, the support groups expressed their attitude to what was happening on the stage - a colorful theatrical show. Its participants – nine of the most talented and active students, representing all the institutes of BSTU.
The main intrigue “ who will win the contest?” held the audience in suspense until the very end of the event. The winner was to be determined by the jury, which consisted of the deputy Chairman of the Joint Trade Union Committee L.V. Strekozova, director of the Students Art Centre, E.P Pashkova, head of the Department of Foreign Languages T.V. Besedina, Head of Communications Department of the Public Relations Office V.Y. Goryainova.
The first vice-rector of the University N.A. Shapovalov warmly congratulated the students with the International Students Day on behalf of the rector and the academic staff. Nicholay Afanasievich wanted young people to fully realize their creative potential, gifts and abilities in the period while they are university students.
The competitive program traditionally included three competitive stages. In the "business card" contest each of the participants had to talk about himself, acting like a potential president. Those who not only talked about their successes and achievements, but also presented a special look at the global problems facing humanity, took the advantage. Thus, in his presentation, Emmanuel Maina (representing the Association of Foreign Students, studying at the Institute of Architecture and Construction) expressed concern for children all over the world, who we are to protect against the war, violence and death. Stanislav Mirgorod (the Institute of Architecture and Construction) appealed to young people to protect nature and to avoid indifference, and do everything possible to change the life for better. Pavel Kravchenko (Power Energy Institute) wants to see Russia as the best country in the world.
The audience became noticeably excited when the contestants began to demonstrate their creative abilities. Songs about love, humor miniatures, dancing with torches, the elements of judo - all this found great feedback from the hall. Fan groups were shouting the names of their favorites without interruption. students from the Institute of Construction Materials and technospheric security were especially active. However, the real revelation in this competition was the song in English performed by Emmanuel Maina, calling the people to protect the world where we live. It was a harmonious combination of talent, music and video.
In the competition "great names of glory" the contestants tried themselves as the most famous and well-known personalities of the local and world history. It is pleasant to note that the students not only know the prominent political figures, but are not against to try on and feel their image. Everyone looked touching and poetic in their role: Pavel Kravchenko (Power Energy Institute) as Alexander Pushkin, Nikolai Davydov (Belgorod Institute of Engineering and Economics) as Charlie Chaplin. Alexander Nevsky performed by Igor Kostarev (Institute of Process Equipment and Machinery) urged the Russians to unite their offspring and not to forget about the best qualities of Russian people - heroism, strength of the spirit, dignity and honor. A Tsar-reformer Peter the Great shown by Alexei Nelyubov (Institute for Building Materials and technospheric security), had borrowed the best in Europe, without forgetting about the domestic producer.
Maina Emmanuel took the image of Vladimir Shukhov, a world known engineer and inventor, whose name was given to our university. But perhaps the most impressive was the monologue by first cosmonaut about Yuri Gagarin's historic flight right on the eve of his flight into space, which was performed by Michael Devaev (Institute of Information Technology and Control Systems). It deserves praise, that our contemporary, feels very close to the emotions experienced by the first astronaut - a sense of civic duty, responsibility, courage. This means that no connection was lost through the time. Young people are our contemporaries, like their great predecessors, they think about the public wealth to build a better life.
By the sum of the score Alex Nelyubov became a "Student of the Year 2011", second place was given to Stanislav Mirgorod, the third went to Pavel Kravchenko. All the competitors, regardless of the place taken, received diplomas and prizes. Maina Emmanuel was awarded special prizes from the Board of Judges at the contest.
Georgy Alexandrov