Five decades is a lifetime, encompassing professional development, large-scale projects, leadership positions, and a change of eras and countries. However, for the 1976 graduates, time seems to stand still when they once again cross the threshold of their beloved alma mater. Their reunions always involve joyful embraces, attempts to recognize those same playful classmates in the graying, distinguished men, and conversations about their golden student years.
Vyacheslav Syagrovets, a graduate of the Industrial and Civil Engineering major, spoke about this time difference with irony and warmth. Over the years, his career has taken an impressive turn: from a construction job assigned to him, to the position of Chairman of the Borisov City Executive Committee, Head of the Capital Construction Department of the Regional Executive Committee, and then all the way to international road transport.
"Life is such that when you live and socialize with friends constantly, age is unnoticeable—people age at the same time and always seem young to each other. However, after 50 years, it's time to put up nameplates at a reunion: appearances change dramatically, and sometimes you can only recognize a person by their voice," admitted Vyacheslav Syagrovets.
Recalling his studies, he noted that it was his active student life that shaped him as a professional and manager:
"I came to the institute after the army, with a strong life vision. I was a Lenin scholarship recipient and actively engaged in science. I also threw myself into the Komsomol and student construction brigades." We had a very rich social and political life, and everything was done with all our hearts, without anyone forcing it. It was this experience that gave me a serious start in life. Priorities and values in the world have changed dramatically over these half-century, but I don't know anyone from our group whose life didn't turn out well. Everyone found their niche and became decent people.
The destinies of the 1976 graduates truly scattered them all over the world. As Vladimir Novikov, another PGS graduate, explained, his classmates live and work in different countries and, of course, work for the good of their native Belarus. Vladimir himself, after graduating, worked at a design institute, and then dedicated almost 30 years to serving in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Belarus.
"We sometimes jokingly call BPI a true forge of military personnel. Seven people from our cohort alone achieved the rank of colonel. The institute gave us a very strong, well-rounded background in both engineering and economics." This has allowed many to manage large construction organizations or, as in my case, command large structures in the military. This entire foundation, this vital "startup," was laid in us by our wonderful teachers.
Addressing current applicants and first-year students, Vladimir Novikov gave a simple but crucial piece of advice:
"Back then, we didn't even know what computers or even calculators were. We all calculated on slide rules and drew by hand. And thanks to this, the knowledge remained firmly in our heads. Therefore, I wish today's students: if you've come to university, truly study, invest your own effort, and everything else will surely follow."
The years go by, technologies change, new buildings are built, but the spirit of student brotherhood remains unchanged. For BNTU, every graduate is a source of pride, and no matter how many years have passed since they received their diplomas, they are always happy to see them again.
