On 27 November, in the public space “Boiling Point - PromTechDesign” of the St Petersburg State University of Industrial Technologies and Design, the winners and laureates of the competition in the higher education system “Student of the Year 2023” were awarded. SPbGASU students were among the best.

Traditionally, the competition is held under the auspices of the Committee on Science and Higher Education and the Council of Rectors of Universities in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region in twelve nominations. This year the award was dedicated to the Year of the Teacher and Mentor in Russia.

The honorary guests of the event were the Chairman of the Committee on Science and Higher Education, Andrey Maksimov, and the Chairman of the Council of Rectors of Universities in St Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, Rector of St Petersburg State University of Pedagogical Technologies, Aleksey Demidov. Our university was represented by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy Irina Lugovskaia and Head of the Youth Policy Division Irina Nuryeva.

Kirill Baklan, a second-year master’s student at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, was awarded the title of laureate in the category “Best in organizing the activities of student labor squads”.

Kirill led the headquarters of SPbGASU student squads in 2022–2023. During this time, he organized many events for the student squads of the university, including a trip by the student squads headquarters active members to the Pioneer children's health camp, a ball for the headquarters of the SPbGASU student squads, and the opening and closing of the season of the headquarters of the SPbGASU student squads. He took part in the organization of city events: volleyball and basketball tournaments among student squads of St Petersburg, a student squad ball, and the “Breathe the Student Squads!” trip.

“Even at the stage of preparing documents for participation, I had a feeling of excitement that lasted until the announcement of the results. The moment when I was informed that I had passed the qualifying stage and was nominated for this award was also unforgettable. And although I was not able to get first place in my nomination, I gained an unforgettable experience and emotion from the realization that I became one of the 36 best students this year. It is a great honor for me to be a laureate of the “Student of the Year 2023” competition from SPbGASU. I am grateful from the bottom of my heart to the university, my colleagues, as well as the university administration, especially the Youth Policy Division,” said Kirill.

The laureate of the competition in the category “Best in organizing interethnic and international cooperation (tolerance)” was Sabrinakhon Solehzoda, a first-year master’s student at the Faculty of Civil Engineering. From 2021 to the present, Sabrinakhon is the Deputy Chairman of the SPbGASU International Students Council. From 2021 to the present, she has led the Russian conversation club at our university. In 2022–2023 became the main organizer of the Youth Society of Tajik Students in St Petersburg. In 2023 Sabrinakhon has become the SPbGASU ambassador.

Sabrinahon’s activities have been awarded many times, here are just a few of them: gratitude for the organization and participation of the SPbGASU International Students Council in the IV International Historical School in Ekaterinburg; first degree diploma of the II All-Russian scientific and practical conference with international participation “Training and adaptation of foreign students at university: Russian and foreign experience”; diploma for assistance in organizing the Tsarskoye Selo Marathon, etc.

“The competition motivated me to achieve new goals and helped me understand that I have something to strive for. I got new ideas on how and what to do in the near future,” Sabrinakhon shared.

Aigul Orazdurdyeva, a first-year master's student at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, became a laureate in the category “Best organizer of creative and leisure programs.” Aigul is the first deputy chairman of the International Studens Council at our university, the head of the “Mini-Tour” and “Helpers” projects.

Among Aigul’s achievements is victory in the interuniversity competition of final qualifying works in the field of study 38.03.01 Economics; diploma and scholarship from the Government of St Petersburg (2022–2023); gratitude from the Committee for External Relations of St Petersburg for successful studies at a university in St Petersburg and work on the admissions committee; first place for the best presentation of a collective project at the all-Russian round table “Best practices of preparatory faculties of Russia”, etc.

“I actively participate in the extracurricular activities of the university, in particular, I organize creative and leisure programs. I graduated from the university with honors. The victory in the competition will serve as a sign of recognition and a reminder of the wonderful time spent with people dear to me, my friends at the university and beyond,” said Aigul.

We congratulate the competition laureates and wish them new victories!