A New Academic Year Begins at Adyghe State University: Welcoming First-Year Students

Approximately 700 first-year, full-time students began their studies at Adyghe State University. New students were traditionally welcomed at a ceremonial gathering in the courtyard of the main ASU building. The students listened to the university anthem and met the deans of various faculties and institutes, as well as the heads of scientific and educational clusters. Against the backdrop of a large student ID card, those admitted to ASU took the student oath.

On the first day of school, all students were addressed by the rector of ASU, Prof. Daud Mamiy.

-Dear first-year students, happy new academic year! We warmly welcome you and are delighted that you are joining the Adyghe State University family. Next year, our university will celebrate its 85th anniversary. It is one of the oldest institutions in southern Russia, yet it remains one of the youngest due to its dynamic development. Based on last year's results, the university was ranked among the top 50 universities in Russia within the framework of the strategic development program 'Priority 2030'.

Here at Adyghe State University, you have the opportunity not only to receive a quality education in your chosen field but also to engage in a wide variety of activities related to science. You can participate in Olympiads, student competitions, and join one of the 15 student associations that we have at the university. Additionally, you can explore your passions at the Culture Center. We strive to make your experience here enjoyable and fulfilling.

I am confident that the years you spend within the walls of our university will be cherished for a lifetime. Good luck, dear students! May you embrace the joyful spirit of September and have a successful academic year ahead,- said the rector.

This year, 893 individuals enrolled at ASU, with 691 of them being full-time students. Among these students are graduates from 65 regions across Russia. The majority of first-year students hail from Krasnodar Krai and Adygea, but there are also significant numbers from Karachay-Cherkessia, Ingushetia, Crimea, and the Donetsk People's Republic. Additionally, some students ventured from distant locations, such as Khabarovsk, Primorsky, and Kamchatka Krai, to pursue their education.

There are also first-year students who have entered the university driven by their heartfelt aspirations, equipped with a wealth of work and life experience. One such student is Dakhanagu Achokh from the Tuapse District of Krasnodar Krai, who enrolled in the Faculty of Adyghe Philology and Culture. In two weeks, she will celebrate her 63rd birthday. For many years, she taught Russian in a school, and now she dreams of helping to preserve the native language in her village of Aguy-Shapsug. To achieve this goal, Dakhanagu prepared for and successfully passed the Unified State Exam alongside younger students.

-I decided to enroll here because our children are forgetting their native Adyghe language. Even within families, there are few opportunities to teach children to speak it, as they are more exposed to Russian through television, social media, and the Internet. Parents have the chance to speak Adyghe with their children for only a few minutes to a couple of hours each day, which is insufficient. I believe that every Adyghe person, especially now when our language is on the verge of extinction, has a responsibility to teach at least ten people their native language,- said the future teacher of the Adyghe language.