Rector Lenar Safin’s address on the 220th anniversary of Kazan University
Dear university students and lyceum students, scientific and medical workers, teachers, staff, as well as alumni and partners of Kazan University!
Please accept my sincere congratulations on the occasion of the 220th anniversary of the founding of our native alma mater!
In 1804 Alexander I signed the Charter of the Kazan Imperial University, and it served as a powerful impetus to the spread of education in the country.
For more than 200 years of its history, the university has traveled a truly glorious path of formation and development, absorbed a wealth of traditions and knowledge, and gained an important place in the life of the city and the entire nation. Kazan has become a true center of cultural dialogue between East and West, and the university is the flagship of national education and science, a forge of bright minds and talents.
Kazan University has trained a plethora of great scientists, teachers, statesmen and public figures. Famous scientific schools, which have been recognized worldwide, have been formed within its walls.
And today we have managed not only to carefully preserve but also to significantly increase the potential from 220 years ago. Nowadays Kazan University is not just a classical university. It is a developed educational and research complex known not only in Russia, but also far beyond its borders. Hundreds of thousands of our graduates have become notable citizens of the country contributing to its prosperity. The university also trains qualified specialists for other countries, thus playing an important role in strengthening and expanding multicultural ties between Russia and other countries.
However, the diversity of directions, innovative infrastructure with successful research centers and modern laboratories, scientific achievements, effective international activities and, of course, the strongest student community – all this was possible only thanks to the professionalism and well-coordinated work of a large team of employees.
From the bottom of my heart I want to express to you, dear friends, words of boundless gratitude for continuous and hard work, for talent and responsible attitude to business, for love to students and science! On your account there are many conquered peaks, bright victories and deserved awards.
I am sure that the next generations of mentors will continue the successes of their predecessors, and Kazan University will continue to set a high educational and scientific bar.
We are proud of our university and its history! Kazan has become for many of us a second home, where we received our education, stayed to live and work.
Therefore, I once again warmly congratulate you and this beautiful city on the birthday of the unique and oldest university in the country! May the joy of discoveries always accompany it on the path of knowledge, and ideas and plans be implemented with constant success for the benefit of higher education and science of Russia!
Happy holiday, our beloved Kazan University!