With only a few days left before the final of the "Mr. BNTU – 2026" competition, we continue to get to know our finalists. Determination, confidence, and communication skills – these are the three words that describe the character of Roman Pavlyuchenko, a first-year student at the Faculty of Energy Engineering, who is a finalist in the competition. However, there is much more to these words: the ability to persevere even in the most challenging circumstances, the willingness to change paths for the sake of a goal, and the ability to draw wisdom even from painful experiences. In an interview, Roman shared how his friend's betrayal changed his perspective on people, why he dreams of opening a restaurant after working in the food industry, and what a "unique" performance he has in store for the finalists.
At the very beginning, the young man shared that there is an activity that can completely capture his attention and make him forget about time.
– Sports. When I'm engaged in sports, time flies by, as I know how to spend it not only productively but also with pleasure.
– What do you see as your ideal morning?
– Every morning is perfect for me. What could be better than seeing and experiencing the world around us? And if it happens that the day doesn't start out well, I find solace in the knowledge that such days have a way of coming to an end.
Roman found inspiration in his childhood. The digital screen and the events that unfolded on it provided him with a deeper understanding of the diverse characters and traits not only of people but also of the characters on the screen.
"As a child, I watched a lot of cartoons and movies. I saw many different characters, each of whom excelled in their own field. That's probably why I want to get better every day and I'm not afraid to try new things.
The most important life truth that Roman has learned through his experiences and wants to share with others is "Never give up."
You have to keep going towards your goals. It may be difficult, and you may even have to change your path. But once you reach your goal, you'll feel the most satisfaction.
Everyone has a moment or a decision in their life that they can be proud of. Our finalist has a philosophical approach to this issue.
– I am happy and grateful for every action I take. After all, everything that happens is for the better.
Speaking about stepping out of his comfort zone, Roman recalls last year, when he set several serious goals at once.
– I had several goals: passing the driving test, enrolling, and finding a job. It was difficult, but I managed to overcome everything. After that, I became more composed and disciplined.
Sometimes the most important lessons we learn from failures. The student considers the betrayal of his best friend to be one of his "failures".
– I used to trust people a lot, but at one point my best friend betrayed me. Yes, it was unpleasant. But from that moment on, I approach the choice of new friends with a cool head.
– What was the most valuable piece of advice you received that really helped you succeed?
– Confucius said that people often complicate their lives with thoughts, fears, societal expectations, and comparisons with others. We create "drama," worries, and limitations that are not necessary for happiness or progress.
When asked about the engineering solution he used to prepare for the competition between classes and labs, Roman replied succinctly:
– Preparing for the final is much more challenging. Studying the tickets, even in a short time, is a difficult task, but it's something I'm used to. However, in the competition, we face new challenges every day, and it's impossible to prepare for them in advance.
– Which is more challenging for you: studying five exam questions overnight or preparing for the competition final?
– Preparing for the competition final is more challenging. Studying the tickets is not as difficult, but during the competition preparation, I face new challenges every day.
Roman is confident that his performance in the final will be unlike anything he has done before and will provide the audience with a completely new experience. According to the finalist, even if he does not win the coveted title, what is more important to him is to be remembered. As the student pointed out, the true Mr. is the face of the university and a role model.
Roman found his idea for the creative performance by relying on his inner intuition, but he is in no hurry to reveal the details.
– I don't want to reveal all the cards before the performance, as I want the audience to experience the emotions I have in mind. All I can say is that the idea came to me completely unexpectedly, and I have only recently started to enjoy what I will be presenting on stage.
We would like to thank Roman for his dialogue and wish him a brilliant performance!
