Krynitsa Vedau - 2025

As tradition dictated, the solemn ceremony began with a red-carpet procession of nominees. Smiling with pride, they walked past the audience, who welcomed them with applause and enthusiastic cheers. The hosts then called on everyone to show their support for the honorees.

Guests from the Russian Federation came to support the nominees – students and staff from the State Humanitarian and Technological University in Orekhovo-Zuyevo, participants in the International Summer School “In the Path of Memory: A Relay of Generations”. The delegation was led by Olga Astafyeva, Vice-Rector for Vocational Education at the university. The solemn ceremony was also attended by Doctor of Law Bakhramzhon Topildiev, Professor of Civil Law at Tashkent State University of Law.

Yury Ramanouski, PhD in Physics and Mathematics, Associate Professor, and Rector of Euphrosyne Polotskaya State University of Polotsk, took the stage with words of congratulations: “Today is an important day. We are summing up the events and achievements of the year, honoring those who have worked tirelessly for the benefit of our university – not only our staff but also our students, the driving force of our university.

The educational traditions that began 900 years ago in our Polotsk land live on through us and our students. The strength of every university employee lies in these traditions, upheld through hard work and advanced by modern technologies. Congratulations! Happy Birthday!”

The ceremony opened with its most prestigious nomination – "Honor and Glory of the University". This award recognizes those whose work and dedication serve as an example to all. This year, it was presented to Nikolai Popok, who has dedicated over 50 years to Polotsk University.

Nikolai Popok, Head of the Department of Technology and Equipment of Machine-building Industry, addressed the audience: "Yuri Yatsentovich rightly noted that strength lies in traditions, and I fully agree. But I would add that strength also comes from the teachers who walk beside us throughout life. Today, I must express my gratitude and honor those who stood by me and helped shape my path.

First among them is Ernst Babenko, founder of the Novopolotsk Polytechnic Institute. Then there's Petr Shved, who led the institute for 10 years. I also remember Vladimir Lipsky, who steadfastly supported our scientific work. And of course, Leonid Turishchev, who continues working with us to this day. I could list countless others who've supported me – my deepest thanks to you all!

My second feeling is pride in our university. This year's placement on the Republican honor board was no accident, but well-deserved recognition. Third, I feel confidence in our present course. With a new generation of ambitious young professionals joining our ranks, the university is marching steadily toward new achievements and writing its next chapter.

I wish you all success on this journey – good health, prosperity, and continued glory for our beloved university!”

"The Standard of Quality" is a special category introduced for the Krynitsa Vedau awards during the Year of Quality. This honor represents the pursuit of excellence in education, research, and all facets of university life. For her exceptional contributions to advancing scientific research at Polotsk University, the award was presented to Tatiana Goncharova, Head of Scientific Research Department.

Tatiana Goncharova shared: "This moment holds profound significance for me – both professionally and personally. I accept this distinguished award with immense honor, yet equally with deep responsibility. While it recognizes my individual efforts, it truly celebrates our entire scientific community at the university. Let me assure you all: as steward of our research endeavors, I will dedicate myself fully to ensuring our beloved institution's continued growth and flourishing success!"

In the next category, we honor an individual revered by colleagues and students alike. It is through the guidance of such talented leaders that our university thrives with creative energy, accomplishments, and breakthroughs. The "Head of the Year" award was presented to Irina Buraya, Vice-Rector for Science.

Irina Buraya, Vice-Rector for Science: "I am deeply grateful for this distinguished recognition of my work in coordinating scientific endeavors. Our achievements stem from the exceptional expertise of our researchers, the seamless collaboration across all departments, and the remarkable potential of our young scholars. These strengths empower us to solve even the most challenging technical and scientific problems. Together, they inspire confidence not only in our university's bright future but also in our sustained excellence. My sincere thanks to everyone for your outstanding teamwork and dedication."

At Polotsk University, student achievements in research, creative pursuits, and self-governance have reached remarkable levels. Our students exemplify exceptional time management, maintaining academic excellence while actively participating in university life. Even in their final year, they dedicate time to peer mentoring and knowledge sharing. The following outstanding fourth-year students were nominees for the prestigious "Student of the Year" award:

• Polina Khrol, specializing in Social Communications
• Artem Gribanov, specializing in Information Technology Software
• Maria Trubilo, specializing in History

The winner was Polina Khrol: "I am overwhelmed with emotions I've never felt before. For four years, I've imagined this moment, replaying it in my mind countless times – yet the reality surpasses all my expectations. I'm profoundly grateful to everyone who has supported me, cared for me, and shared this incredible university journey. This is truly exhilarating! While I thank you all sincerely, I must dedicate this award to the most important person in my life – my mother. Without her, I wouldn't be standing here today. To my fellow students: keep creating, keep dreaming, and never lose your inspiration. And to our university – thank you for these unforgettable experiences!”

Nomination for "Event of the Year"

The reconstruction and commissioning of Education Building No.7 were highlighted as key achievements. The modernized facility now houses specialized classrooms, providing high-quality education for students in the military department. Here, they gain the essential knowledge and skills required for military service and national security operations. The opening of the military department in the renovated building marks a milestone – not only for the university but also for the entire region.

Aleksey Burachonak, Vice-Rector, remarked: “Undoubtedly, the completion of this new building is a landmark event in our university’s history. Moreover, this is no ordinary building – it is the former House of the Red Army, or as we now call it, the former Officers’ House, which we have dedicated years to carefully restoring. The result we see today is the product of collective effort, involving countless specialists. While only three of us stand here on stage, if I were to invite everyone who contributed their knowledge, skills, experience, and labor to this project, I believe a significant part of the audience would join us up here.

Therefore, allow me to express my deepest gratitude to all who played a part in this achievement and in adding yet another gem to our university. This truly magnificent building elevates not only our institution but also the city of Polotsk. A special thanks goes to the students who worked in construction teams, the staff across departments who dedicated themselves to this project, and the faculty of the engineering and construction department, whose expertise shaped the vision for this building. Thank you all – and happy holidays!”

The heroes of the next nomination are lecturers who not only inspire their students but also embody passion for their profession, opening new horizons of knowledge. The following nominees competed for the title of "Lecturer of the Year":

• Elena Sumko, PhD in History, Associate Professor of the Department of History and Socio-Humanitarian Sciences

• Nadezhda Dubko, Master of Economic Sciences, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Business Accounting and Finance, Logistics and Management

• Olga Katushonok, Master of Legal Sciences, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Constitutional and Criminal Law

The winner was Elena Sumko: “I believe that everyone who walked the red carpet today are all winners. It is a great honor. In 1995, I enrolled in the university, and since then, my life has been inextricably linked to it. A big thank you to my colleagues and everyone who supported me. I especially want to thank the students because a teacher cannot be a teacher without students. The teacher offers what they can provide, and students either accept it or pass by. I am fortunate: our students are the best; they are talented. Thank you so much to them! And I want to thank my mom, who worked at the university for almost her entire life. Thank you for your support and belief in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself!”

Our university fosters the development of scientific ideas and discoveries, empowering us to move forward and turn visions into reality. The nominees in this category are true visionaries who build upon the legacy of their predecessors to forge new paths and achieve groundbreaking scientific advancements. The following individuals have been nominated for “Young Scientist of the Year”:

• Svetlana Ignatieva, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computing Systems and Networks
• Kristina Savitskaya, Master of Legal Sciences, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Civil Law
• Darya Kaminskaya, Lecturer in the Department of History and Socio-Humanitarian Sciences

The winner was Svetlana Ignatieva: “I want to thank my academic advisor from the bottom of my heart - without your constant support and wise guidance, I wouldn't be standing here today. My sincere thanks to you, Rykhard Petrovich, and to all my colleagues for believing in me!"

The audience's hearts are captivated by our talented students, whose creativity inspires admiration both within our university and far beyond. The “Talent of the Year” nominees are:

• Andrey Orshansky, fourth-year student, Faculty of Computer Science and Electronics
• Alexander Zakharenko, fourth-year student, Faculty of Finance and Economics
• Veronika Kazak, fourth-year student, Faculty of Information Technologies

The winner in this category was Andrey Orshansky: "Well, now I can finally explain to my parents why I haven't been home much these past four years! It all started when Nadia Bodritskaya, a Polotsk University graduate, visited our gymnasium. She literally interrupted our math class – which was actually a nice break – to tell us about this extraordinary university. Her passion convinced me to give it a try, because studying alone would have been terribly boring.

I want to thank my student council family and all my friends who've supported me along the way. Special gratitude goes to my advisor, Irina Alesovna Lyakh – I couldn't have done this without you. Not for one second have I regretted choosing this university. I've seized every opportunity for academic trips and presentations that came my way. To our younger students: don't hesitate to try new things. This university gives you all the tools you need to succeed. Thank you all!"

Denis Karas, Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus and Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission on Economic Policy, not only attended the awards ceremony but also presented a Certificate of Honor from the Ministry of Education to Yury Ramanouski, Rector of Polotsk State University. The award recognized his decades of distinguished scientific and pedagogical work, outstanding contributions to organizing the educational process and exceptional leadership in training highly qualified specialists.p>

In the university life, exceptional professionals play a crucial role with their indispensable expertise and dedication. Behind every successful academic endeavor is a team of committed specialists who empower both students and faculty to excel. The “Specialist of the Year” nominees are:

• Lyudmila Antonova, Resident Advisor, Dormitory No.3
• Elena Konovalova, International Student Coordinator, Department of Ideological and Educational Affairs
• Natalia Krasko, Resident Advisor, Dormitory No.7

The winner was Elena Konovalova: "Being nominated alongside such remarkable colleagues is already a tremendous honor. Walking the red carpet and sharing this special moment with all of you makes it even more memorable. I want to express my gratitude to my dear colleagues for your unwavering support and active involvement in our shared mission. Most importantly, thank you for standing together through every challenge and uncertainty. I'm deeply grateful to be part of our incredible team. Wishing everyone wonderful holidays!"

Within our university family, we take particular pride in our students' achievements across all disciplines. While excelling academically, these remarkable individuals also bring honor to our institution and nation through their athletic accomplishments. The following outstanding students competed for the prestigious “Athlete of the Year” title:

• Yana Makretskaya, third-year student, Physical Culture Education
• Vadim Mily, second-year student, Physical Culture Education
• Maxim Fedorenko, second-year student, Customs

We are proud to announce Yana Makretskaya as this year's winner!

The annual student group competition highlights the power of unity, friendship, and teamwork. These qualities shine brightest when groups come together to pursue excellence. The “Student Group of the Year” nominees:

• 23-KB, Faculty of Computer Science and Electronics
• 22-PR-2, Faculty of Law
• 23-EM, Faculty of Finance and Economics

23-KB won the "Student Group of the Year" award!

Alexander Popov, group leader of 23-KB: "I'm truly happy and grateful to our university. Like Andrey Orshansky said, I'm so glad I chose to study here. But most importantly, I've found what I believe is my third family in life - and that's group 23-KB. Now, I'd like my teammates to share their thoughts about our group."

Anastasia Bekerova, 23-KB: "Group 23-KB is pure happiness."

Yulia Stolbova, 23-KB: "I'll never regret choosing Polotsk University and this group, where I've found the most sincere, kind-hearted people."

Darya Majtak, 23-KB: "23-KB, I love you all!"

Ksenia Kirpichenko, 23-KB: "Our wonderful group. I'm so proud to be part of it."

Alexander Popov concluding: "Finally, I want to repeat what I told everyone at the beginning of our journey: There's no 'I' - only 'we.' Happy birthday, our beloved university!"