Preparatory School commends best students in graduation ceremony
Graduates of pre-master’s programs were celebrated on 26 June.
The event was visited by Olga Vershinina, Director of the International Office. She mentioned that this year over 1,000 young people from Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America joined the Preparatory School.
“The Preparatory School plays a very important role in attracting foreign students to study at Kazan Federal University. It is the teachers of this school that determine how prepared students are to enter the university,” commented Vershinina. “The school has a very good infrastructure and qualified educators, that’s why during a year of study the students acquire good expertise both in Russian language and in their chosen subjects.”
Among the specialization subjects are biology, chemistry, mathematics, social studies, natural sciences, as well as Russian and English languages.
Warm wishes extended by Elena Shimkovich, Head of the Department of General Education Disciplines of the Preparatory School. Making a congratulatory speech, she wished the graduates success in further education, noting that studying at the Preparatory School – either in Russian or in English – is already a big step forward. From her hands honorary diplomas were awarded to the graduates who achieved excellence in their studies and took part in student life.
“This year the weather presented many surprises. You got acquainted with Russian winter, but the classes were always warm and heartfelt,” shared Dinara Valeeva, Associate Professor of the Department of Russian Language for Pre-Master’s and Pre-PhD Studies.
Next, a Russian song There is only a moment was played for the guests, with vocals performed by graduates of the English-language program.
Airat Mukhametov, Acting Dean of the Preparatory School noted their excellent command of the Russian language in his welcoming speech.
“We are not saying farewell, we are saying see you. Best wishes for your further studies at Kazan University,” he said.
The ceremony ended with honoring the best graduates of 2024.. Mr Mukhametov gifted the talented young people with branded merchandise – notebooks, T-shirts, and certificates of merit.
Many of the graduates plan to continue their studies at the University. Al Hassan Al Kenj, 26, came to Kazan from Syria. His pre-master’s program prepared him to enter the dentistry major of the Institute of Fundamental Medicine and Biology. According to him, during his studies he successfully mastered courses in pharmacology, pathology, learned how to conduct an initial examination of a patient and familiarized himself with the work of an ambulance doctor.
The most difficult thing in the adaptation of a foreigner is learning the Russian language, the future dentist noted, as it is necessary to distinguish between two styles of speech – scientific and conversational.
“Take your time. If possible, practice the language with Russian speakers, it helps a lot. Practice writing, listening, reading and speaking, and it will be easier for you in the future,” Al Kenj recommended to foreign students.
Isra Mohamed Omar from Djibouti intends to continue her journey in science, having enrolled in the master’s program in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics. The young woman was advised to enroll in a Russian university by her father, who had once visited the Soviet Union. Isra is now 21 years old and wants to live in Kazan and work as a biologist.
Thet Nay U from Myanmar plans to become a student at the Institute of Information Technologies and Intelligent Systems. He wants to study programming, web design, and cybersecurity. Upon completion of his studies, the young programmer plans to return to his homeland.