Published on: 2026-09-03
Source: Novosibirsk State University –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
On September 1, a Scientific Picnic was held at Novosibirsk State University, timed to coincide with Knowledge Day. The celebration became part of the first day at the university for freshmen, as well as for students, faculty, staff, and guests of the university. Interactive platforms of university clubs and partners operated in the inner courtyard of NSU, and in the evening the program was supplemented by a concert and a fire show.
At the beginning of the new academic year, the rector of NSU, a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, congratulated the students Dmitry Pyshny. He noted that this year the university admitted a record number of applicants in its entire history: their number exceeded 11.4 thousand, and the average score increased from 83 to more than 86. Students from 85 regions submitted documents to NSU, and as a result, first-year students from 68 regions of Russia and foreign countries were enrolled:
— We very much hope that our cooperation, our joint education will be successful, that you will find your career, your job, your science. I think it will be much easier to achieve this here than anywhere else because we are in Akademgorodok. More than thirty institutes working in various scientific fields are located here. So many of you will do your internships in real laboratories, with real professors, associate professors, active scientists, people who work on the cutting edge of science.
Congratulations to the students were also expressed by the Deputy Governor of the Novosibirsk Region Irina Manuilova’s. She also emphasized that NSU provides students with the opportunity to engage in scientific work from the first years through the university’s collaboration with research organizations:
— It is also a university of great opportunities. Starting from the second year, you will become full participants in scientific experiments and research, where all your academic tasks will be intertwined with major science.
The director of the Technopark of Novosibirsk Akademgorodok also addressed the students Dmitry Verkhovod. He spoke about the opportunities that the innovative infrastructure of Akademgorodok opens up for students.
— We will teach you not only to think but also to earn money with your mind. These are not empty words; this is the real practice of Akademgorodok’s activities for over 30 years, — said Dmitry Benidiktovich. He also urged students to pay attention to the opportunities of the NSU Startup Studio. He was supported by the president of the NSU Alumni Association, “NSU Union,” managing partner of the Scientific Equipment group of companies. Pavel Fedorov, drawing the attention of NSU students to the opportunities available in the field of technological entrepreneurship.
During the celebration, scholarships and grants were awarded. Students and faculty of NSU participated in competitions held by the Vladimir Potanin Foundation. In 2026, 150 university lecturers from Russia became winners of the grant competition for faculty, including four master’s program lecturers from NSU.
Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Educational Work at NSU Olga Yakovleva told the students about other ways to get support:
— Our students have enormous potential to receive a wide variety of scholarships, ranging from the usual increased scholarships for excellent academic performance, scientific, and social activities. And, of course, our students perform very well in various specialized scholarship competitions.
This year, NSU entered the top 25 universities based on the results of the competition for presidential and government scholarships: in the 2026-2027 academic year, 58 university students will receive scholarships from the President and the Government of the Russian Federation. Additionally, 3 students became laureates of named scholarships: named after V. A. Tumanov (two people) and named after V. A. Sobchak (one person).
The main part of the Science Picnic took place in the university’s inner courtyard. Here, interactive tents of university clubs and event partners were set up. Participants could not only learn more about various areas of university life but also try their hand at themed activities.
For example, at the archaeology direction site of the Humanities Institute, one could dig up and collect ancient artifacts, as well as learn more about ancient weapons. The Financial Club offered participants a game to test their financial literacy.
Language centers at NSU also prepared their own activities. Participants could collect a “polyglot passport” by completing tasks from various clubs and compete for prizes. In the Chinese club, they learned to write names in characters and read them correctly; in the Korean club, they tried on traditional hanbok attire; and in the Italian club, they gathered ingredients for recipes of famous Italian pizzas.
In addition, students presented their projects on the main stage.
For first-year NSU female students Darya’s and Elizabeth’s The science picnic became one of the first university events.
— For NSU and for students, such events are important, probably first and foremost to get acquainted, to establish some connections that will help in the future, and generally to make friends here. — the girls said.
The celebration ended with a concert and a fire show.
The general partner of the Science Picnic was PJSC SBERBANK.
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