MGIMO holds Freshers' Day in partnership with the National Centre RUSSIA
On 25 September, MGIMO held its traditional Freshers' Day — one of the main events marking the start of the new academic year. This year, the celebration was held under the overarching theme "Unity. Russia. MGIMO" and brought together the student induction ceremony, an introduction to extracurricular opportunities, a sports programme and a large team-based quest. The National Centre RUSSIA was the official partner of the event.
In his welcome address, MGIMO Rector and Academician Anatoly Torkunov stressed that students at MGIMO come from different parts of the country, which takes on particular significance in the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. Olga Petrova, Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, congratulated the students on the beginning of a new stage in their lives. The official part culminated in the freshman oath: the students pledged to uphold the traditions of Russian diplomacy, remain true to the bonds of student friendship, strive to become highly qualified international-level specialists and use their knowledge for the benefit of the Motherland.
The central theme of Freshers' Day was the Year of Unity of the Peoples of Russia. The venue was symbolically divided into the country's eight federal districts, while MGIMO student organisations guided the freshmen through a kind of "map" of university life. The "Unity. Russia. MGIMO" concept linked the student induction ceremony with the main theme of 2026 and conveyed it through the very structure of the celebration — getting to know one another, taking part in activities together, teamwork and integrating freshmen into university life.
The National Centre RUSSIA prepared a special programme for the event. Participants in the "Unity. Russia. MGIMO" student quest received special gifts. The results of a prize draw for a National Centre RUSSIA branded jumper featuring a quote from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin were also announced on stage. The commemorative prize was presented to Margarita Denisova, a first-year student at MGIMO-MED, by Stanislav Surovtsev, MGIMO Vice-Rector for Youth Policy, Social Work and International Relations.
The participation of the National Centre RUSSIA in MGIMO Freshers' Day continued the strong partnership between the university and the National Centre. As part of this partnership, MGIMO students regularly attend the flagship educational events held by the National Centre RUSSIA, including the Open Lecture Hall and the International Symposium "Inventing the Future", as well as lectures and meetings held as part of the Open Dialogue project "The Future of the World: A New Platform for Global Growth", among many others. Through their participation in original projects of the National Centre RUSSIA, future diplomats gain insight into the views of leading international experts, scientists and opinion leaders, helping them to shape their understanding of the directions of global development.
The event was hosted and moderated by producer and space exploration populariser Pavel Bugrov.
