“Ask yourself — what do you want personally? Don’t be afraid to take risks, you are young, you are very well-educated, you’ve received world-level education here. Now is the right time — this is my advice”, said Skoltech President Alexander Kuleshov in his welcome speech. “Be ready to take risks and be open to new opportunities. Be a researcher and stay a researcher — the country badly needs your competence.”

Dean of Education Clement Fortin highlighted that the first Commencement Ceremony with BSc graduates is a new milestone in the history of Skoltech, and emphasized the utmost importance of the faculty staff in the students’ academic journey: “In these busy days it takes great effort to respond to many demands of the academic life and I truly appreciate you dedication to the success of your students.”

The Fields Medal laureate, professor Stanislav Smirnov wished the graduates to apply their knowledge to save the world, as it is science and technology that has helped mankind make life more convenient and safe over the years. “Sometimes it is important to look not only to the future but also to the past,” the professor added. “This journey did not start when you joined Skoltech or even when the university was founded, but I would say it started about 300 years ago, when Peter the Great decided that the country could not go on without good education and good science.”

Ruslan Yunusov, co-founder of the Russian Quantum Centre, joined in on the congratulations. He discussed the close collaboration with Skoltech as well as its graduates and encouraged the young scientists to pursue a profession where learning will never cease, stating, “If we want to be professionals, we should make an effort to study every day.” 

Viktor Vekselberg, Chairman of the Skoltech Board of Trustees, highlighted that over the past years, the Institute has nurtured a generation of talented and ambitious young researchers, who are now poised to contribute to the formation of a fundamentally new paradigm of interaction between science, business, and society. He noted that the graduates will join the “golden reserve” of the labor market, already possessing excellent knowledge and unique experience. 

Dmitriy Vasiliev, who graduated the very first programme at Skoltech and now is a successful entrepreneur — co-founder of Karfidov Lab and Healthtech Hardware startup — also joined the ceremony as a keynote speaker. “Entering Skoltech was a life changing event for me because the spirit, the talented people around, the cutting-edge education and research leave you no chance to give up and not achieve the goal.” Dmitriy shared some insights from his experience of launching several pioneering businesses, emphasizing that developing startups in Russia is not as challenging as it may appear. He encouraged students to have confidence in their projects and to maintain regular communication with their Skoltech family.

Continuing the ceremony, the graduates were solemnly awarded their diplomas. Those who demonstrated outstanding results in study, research, or entrepreneurship received special awards.

Academic excellence: Ali Al Abbas, Tatiana Alekhina, Hoor Bano, Dmitrii Bugrov, Mariia Dronova, Dmitrii Ershenko, Denis Grankin, Oksana Kotovskaya, Olga Kovaleva, German Moiseev, Matvei Morkovnikov, Sarah Nasser, Anastasiia Netrusova, Alexander Savchenko, Mikhail Seleznev, Mariia Shevchenko, Iana Snegireva, Nikita Sukhorukov, Elena Trukhan, Nikita Vaulin, Aleksandra Vergules, Egor Zhermolenko.

Best research thesis: Adolor David Aiyeki, Vladimir Baikalov, Ekaterina Fadeeva, Vladimir Grigoriants, Danil Ivanov, Alina Khairullina, Roman Khalikov, Sergei Kholkin, Iuliia Klychevskikh, Robinroy Peter Vimalathas, Mumu Mostafizur Rahman, Alexander Savchenko, Aleksandr Tolmachev, Aleksandra Vergules, Vasilii Zubarev, Mariia Dronova.

Entrepreneurial spirit: Tatiana Alekhina, Ekaterina Antipushina, Grigorii Chernichuk, Almaz Ibragimov, Rimma Ishberdina, Ruslan     Kalimullin, Mikhail Knyshenko, Artemii Korobov, Anton Labutin, Charlene Madida Djousse, Matvei Morkovnikov, Fizza Munawar, Tunde Samuel Okeowo, Dmitrii Perevozniuk, Aleksei Zelentsov, Alexander Zubrey.

Alexey Zelentsov became the first graduate in the history of Skoltech who followed the Startup as Thesis track and received a master's degree in mathematics and computer science.

MSc program graduates Ilya Novikov and Diana Roshka expressed their gratitude to Skoltech faculty members. They highlighted that Skoltech provided them with not just the technical knowledge and the ability to overcome hardships, but also soft skills like intercultural communication and self-presentation. “Skoltech is a mindset that allows you to overcome obstacles, look for opportunities, and appreciate what you already have,” said Ilya Novikov.

“I urge you to venture into the unknown. The world needs your voices, your brains, and your passion,” a PhD graduate of the Physics program Julijana Cvjetinovic shared her story and aspiration to change how the world sees women who pursue academic careers in physics. At Skoltech, she earned her PhD with the aspiration of becoming a professor. During her studies, Julijana represented Russia at the International Science Youth Forum in Singapore, where she had the privilege of interacting with Nobel laureates and other leading scientists from around the globe. “Let us never forget, even in the darkest of times, that science knows no country because knowledge belongs to humanity and is the torch that illuminates the world.”

The official part of the ceremony concluded with the eighth annual Education Excellence Awards that celebrate the efforts of academic members and mentors:

Best instructor: Dmitry Pervushin

Best lecturer: Ivan Pshenichnyuk

Best research supervisor: Ekaterina Khrameeva

Best career trainer: Dmitry Kulish

Best mentor: Henni Ouerdane

Best professor: Dmitry Gorin

Institutional leader in teaching and learning: Alexey Nikolaev

At the ceremony, in addition to the traditional awards, there were two new nominations:

10th Commencement Teaching Award: Albert Nasibulin

Special Award: Clement Fortin

The Commencement Ceremony continued with a party and live music at the Skoltech lawn. The guests had the opportunity to dance along to The Science student band, the Skoltech Professors’ Band and the guest musicians from the Bohemia band.