Nearly half a century after graduating, Cuban native Aldo Ezequiel Valdes de la Torre travelled thousands of kilometers to once again walk the hallways of his youth. The 1979 graduate of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty of BNTU (Belarusian National Technical University) crossed the university’s threshold once more. He and his wife drove from Guadalajara, Spain.
At BNTU, the guests were welcomed by Daria Kobel, a specialist from the International Cooperation Faculty. Together they strolled through the campus, looked at the buildings and lecture halls, and then visited the Mechanical Engineering Faculty. The guest shared his impressions and memories in an interview.
– You have come a very long way. Why did you decide to visit now?
– This idea had been with me for a long time. I really wanted to show my wife my alma mater. As the years go by, you increasingly want to return to your roots, to remember the places that shaped your life. When the opportunity came, I thought: if not now, then when? And I have not regretted this trip for a single moment.
– What did you feel when you saw the university again after so many years?
– At first, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Many buildings have changed, and new ones have appeared. But the most amazing thing is the feeling that time stood still for a moment. My student years, friends, teachers, and classes immediately came flooding back.
– Was there a moment during the tour that particularly moved you?
– Yes. When we entered the Mechanical Engineering Faculty. That is where I spent the best years of my youth. I looked at the students and imagined us just like them – young, full of hopes and plans. Our group had 33 people: 5 boys and 28 girls. We were very close friends, studied a lot, helped each other, and went through all the difficulties of student life together.
– What surprised you the most about the faculty today?
– The technology. Modern laboratories, machines, equipment. In our time, much of this was only a dream. Today’s students have access to opportunities that make learning a profession much easier.
– Do you remember your professors?
– Of course. Some names stay in your memory for a lifetime. They were not just teachers – they were true mentors. Many of them taught us not only engineering but also responsibility, discipline, and the right attitude toward our profession.
– What role did the university play in your life?
– A huge one. Here I received not just a diploma. My professional thinking was shaped here. All my subsequent achievements are, one way or another, linked to the foundation that was laid at this university. After graduating, I returned to my homeland. First I worked as a process engineer at a design company, and later as a senior engineer at a metallurgical plant that produced bearings for construction machinery. The engineering education I received at BNTU became a solid foundation for my entire professional career.
– What would you like to say in conclusion?
– When I left here as a young graduate in 1979, I could never have imagined that I would one day return. Today I have seen a different university – modern, dynamic, equipped with the latest technology. But the main thing remains unchanged: here they still train engineers and give people a start in life. Thank you for the warm welcome!
For the university staff, this visit was also special. Meetings like this remind us how strong the bond remains between BNTU and its graduates, no matter where they live.
As he said goodbye, the guest once again looked back at the familiar buildings. In his eyes one could read gratitude, warmth, and a touch of nostalgia – the feelings of a man who, after 47 years, had met his youth once more.
Such returns prove that the true connection with your alma mater never fades with time.
