The ceremonial event dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the Volga Region University took place on December 18 in the concert hall of the educational and laboratory building of the university. Guests of the evening included members of the government of the Republic of Tatarstan, representatives of regional and federal departments, rectors of physical education and sports universities and Kazan universities, famous athletes and coaches. On behalf of the founder - the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation - the university was congratulated by representatives of the Department of Education, Science and International Relations Elena Dushina and Maxim Boev.
“As the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin notes, student sports in the country has a rich history and traditions. Volga Region University today is one of the largest sports universities in Russia, its venues annually host all-Russian and international competitions, only in the anniversary year the Future Games and BRICS Games were held here,” Mikhail Degtyarev, Minister of Sports of Russia and President of the National Olympic Committee, said in his congratulatory address.
The history of the university began in 1974 with the Kazan branch of the Volgograd State Academy of Physical Culture. Since then, the university has changed several cities and names, acquired modern infrastructure and reached a new level of development.
Welcoming the participants of the event, Alexey Pesoshin, Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan, congratulated Volga State University on its 50th anniversary on behalf of Rustam Minnikhanov, President of the Republic of Tatarstan, and on his own behalf. He noted the long way the university has traveled - from a branch to a full-fledged university to train highly qualified specialists in the field of physical culture, sports and tourism, and to become one of the best in the country.
"I have known Povolzhsky for more than ten years - it is a real temple of knowledge. There is a wonderful teaching staff and a great infrastructure - people who see the university for the first time are always surprised by the scale. Skiers study here with pleasure, and the Russian Cross-Country Skiing Federation often holds final events at the university. Today, I not only teach here, but also study myself. I want not to stop there and continue developing in everything," said three-time Olympic champion, president of the Russian Cross-Country Skiing Federation, associate professor of Povolzhsky University Elena Vyalbe.
Today, the Volga Region University of Physical Education, Sports and Tourism is one of the leading sports universities in the country. 4,000 students from 78 regions of Russia and 17 foreign countries study here, including winners and prize winners of world and European championships.
“Handsome and a champion! Everything is good at Volga Region University, traditions have already been established here, which should be preserved. The heroes of our time - students, faculty and staff, feel proud of their alma mater. The Olympic motto “Faster, Higher, Stronger” perfectly describes Povolzhsky University,” said Alexey Sozinov, Deputy Chairman of the Council of Rectors of the Republic of Tatarstan.
Among the outstanding graduates of Volga Region University, are Olympic champion in track and field athletics Gulnara Galkina-Samitova, Olympic medalists fencer Kamilla Gafurzyanova, shooter Svetlana Demina, swimmer Alexander Krasnykh, volleyball player Viktor Poletaev and skier Andrei Larkov.
“With 50 years behind us, the intensity of which helps us teach young people. I am grateful to the students of Povolzhsky, who also educate us. The older generation likes to say that young people nowadays are “wrong”, but our youth is the same: hardworking and responsible. I am sure that at this pace, with the support of the leadership of the country and the region, we will be able to achieve even more ambitious results, reach new heights and strive for improvement,” Rector Rafis Burganov assured.
Photo: Pavel Zheleznyak (via link)
