Today, on May 10, the delegations of Izhevsk State Technical University named after M. T. Kalashnikov (IzhSTU) and Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R. E. Alekseev (NSTU named after R. E. Alekseev) left Minsk, completing a busy program of stay at the Belarusian National Technical University as part of the XXI International Student Athletics Race "Izhevsk – Nizhny Novgorod – Minsk." For several days, the guests from Russia got acquainted with the heroic past of Belarus, participated in solemn rallies, exchanged experiences and made new friends. Today we are summarizing the results of this significant event.
On Wednesday, May 6, a solemn meeting of the delegations of the International Student Athletics Race took place at the Kurgan of Glory memorial complex. The teams of BNTU, IzhSTU and NSTU named after R. E. Alekseev took part, in which the participants laid flowers at the memorial and climbed the Mound of Glory.
After the rally, the delegations visited the BNTU Polytechnic Science and Technology Park, where Georgy Vershina, Director General of the BNTU Polytechnic Scientific and Technical University, conducted an excursion during which the guests were presented with innovative projects developed by students and young scientists.
Thursday, May 7, for the participants of the track and field race began with a bus tour of the iconic places of Minsk. The delegations got acquainted with the architecture of the city, visited the stele "Minsk – the hero City", where flowers were laid in memory of the defenders of the Fatherland, and also visited the National Library of Belarus.
In the afternoon, the guests got to know BNTU better. An excursion was conducted for students at the Center for Technical Hydromechanics and hydraulic machines, where they were shown a siphon spillway, wave processes and principles of operation of hydraulic structures were demonstrated.
The delegations also visited an exhibition dedicated to the genocide of the Belarusian people during the Great Patriotic War and the post-war period. After that, the guys took part in the military-patriotic song contest "Memory of the Heart", where they not only listened to the performances of BNTU students, but also performed themselves. During the competition, Evgeny Ivashkin, Vice–rector of the Russian State Technical University named after R. E. Alekseev, was awarded the title of "Honorary Professor of BNTU" - the mantle was presented by the rector of BNTU Sergey Kharitonchik.
The day ended with a large-scale sports relay race. The teams of BNTU, IzhSTU and NSTU competed in speed, agility and accuracy, passing a strip of 14 stages. The victory with a score of 22 minutes 34 seconds was won by the team of Izhevsk State Technical University.
On the morning of Friday, May 8, delegations of Russian universities, together with representatives of BNTU and distinguished guests, took part in a solemn rally dedicated to Victory Day. The participants laid flowers at the memorial, honoring the memory of those who fought for freedom.
Then a round table was held, where activists of the BNTU Student Council shared with the guests their experience in implementing patriotic initiatives. The video "BNTU remembers. We keep our memory in our hearts", demonstrating how modern students preserve the historical truth about the war.
The highlight of the day was an excursion to the Stalin Line historical and cultural complex. The guests examined the engineering fortifications of the Soviet border of the 1930s, visited two pillboxes, and also studied the construction of trenches and armored columns.
On Victory Day, May 9, participants of the XXI International Student Athletics Race, together with BNTU employees, went to the Khatyn Memorial Complex. The guests learned about the tragedy of the Belarusian village, as well as about other burned villages.
In the evening, the delegations went for a walk around Minsk in the evening, culminating in a festive fireworks display in honor of Victory Day.
Today, on May 10, a solemn ceremony of sending off the delegations of Russian universities took place at BNTU. The final event of the run was attended by Mikhail Pisarev, Rector of IzhSTU, Oleg Gusev, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs of BNTU, Yaroslav Potachits, Dean of the Faculty of Physics and Technology, and Ivan Belsky, Professor of the Department of Physical Education.
Every day of the XXI International Student Athletics Race Izhevsk – Nizhny Novgorod – Minsk was filled with important events. The guests not only touched upon the heroic history of Belarus, but also got acquainted with the scientific base of BNTU, exchanged experiences and made new friends. All participants unanimously noted that the atmosphere was the warmest, and the emotions were extremely positive.
Thus, Roman Golub, Deputy chairman of the Student council of FGDE BNTU, who accompanied the Russian guests, shared his view on the significance of the run.:
— The race is an important event for both countries. It shows that our youth remembers what our grandfathers and great-grandfathers did for us, and that we still cherish their memory. In addition, such events serve to consolidate and establish communication between the two countries. The guys from the Russian Federation were absolutely delighted with the excursions: they learned a lot of interesting facts about our country and its customs. At the same time, they are all well aware that we are united by one common story. As one of the accompanying guys, I can say with confidence that the atmosphere was very positive. We made friends with the participants, showed them how we live, study and much more. We discussed many student projects and jointly came up with ideas for further cooperation. In conclusion, I would like to note that events such as this race should be held everywhere and as often as possible. After all, they unite us more and more.
In turn, Maria, a student of the Nizhny Novgorod State Technical University named after R. E. Alekseev, said that the trip was a real discovery for her.:
— This trip as part of the Izhevsk — Nizhny Novgorod —Minsk run was a real discovery and a huge event for me. I was most impressed by the scale of the Belarusian capital — these incredibly wide avenues and amazing architecture of the city contrast very much with the cozy narrow streets that we are used to at home. But besides the incredible beauty, our whole route was filled with a very deep meaning. Visiting the exhibition about the genocide of the Belarusian people was mentally difficult, but this is the very historical truth that our generation must cherish and pass on. I was especially pleased with the educational and professional part of our trip. As a technical student, it was extremely important and interesting for me to visit the BNTU laboratories. The center for Hydromechanics made a great impression — excellent visibility and a powerful practical base compare favorably with those purely theoretical classes to which we are accustomed. In my opinion, the most important thing on this trip is, of course, the people. Participating in all the rallies, walking kilometers together, laying flowers and constant communication helped us create a real student fraternity. We have become incredibly close, exchanged invaluable experience, and I am absolutely sure that the ties between our universities will only become stronger after this run.
Over the course of five days, guests from Russia not only took part in commemorative rallies and visited iconic places in Belarus, but also were able to truly feel the unity of the two peoples based on a common history and respect for the feat of their ancestors. The large-scale program introduced students to the scientific potential of BNTU, and informal communication provided new acquaintances and ideas for joint projects.
BNTU thanks the delegations for their active participation, unwavering friendship and contribution to strengthening interuniversity ties. See you soon!
