On September 1, the Russian-Armenian University celebrated the start of a new academic year, which will provide us with even more knowledge, skills, experience and opportunities, help us make new friends and incredible memories.

RAU students and Usmunk schoolchildren, their parents and all those present were welcomed by the Russian-Armenian University Rector, PhD in Economics of Armenia and Russia, Professor Edward Sandoyan.

"Each year, the arrival of new young people gives us more opportunities and more energy. We are happy to welcome a new generation of students. Today, there will be meetings with the management of the different institutes and departments. The entire academic and administrative staff will support you on your new path, and everyone expects one thing from you, to study well and enthusiastically. Once again, I congratulate you on the start of the new academic year, on Knowledge Day!"

On this festive occasion, the first graders gave a performance and released balloons into the air.

It should be noted that head of Rossotrudnichestvo in Armenia Vadim Fefilov, his deputy Viktoria Deripaska, Councilor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in RA, representative of the Russian Ministry of Science in Armenia Mikhail Vozhdaev and other representatives of the Russian diplomatic mission were the guests of honor at the ceremony.

As Professor Edward Sandoyan noted at the ceremonial meeting with freshmen in the University House of Culture, the most important thing a freshman should know is that graduates of the Russian-Armenian University are highly sought after in the market, with almost all of them currently employed.

"During the 28 years since the establishment of our university, we have achieved significant success in science, in the educational process, in all fields of activity. We have a really high rate of employment among our graduates. This is more important than anything else. After all, our main product is graduates who find their place in the labor market, competing with graduates of other universities," said the Rector, indicating that today the university has more than 13,000 graduates.

Rector Edward Sandoyan listed the latest achievements of RAU students, specific directions and noted: "We differ from other universities in that, being a universal, multi-disciplinary university, we have serious success in both natural sciences and humanities. RAU has the highest modern intellectual potential; we have institutes, departments, and laboratories that carry out activities at the international level."

The Rector also presented the technical and infrastructure possibilities of RAU.

"We also have the best sports complex in Armenia, a luxurious modern swimming pool, a football field, a futsal court, a tennis court, gyms, and so on. We're constantly developing, building, and expanding our possibilities and hence I congratulate you. Starting with today, you are becoming part of our large family, and it’ll be very interesting for you."

Edward Sandoyan also emphasized that 40% of the new RAU students are citizens of the Russian Federation, many among them representatives of the Armenian diaspora.
"We integrate the best traditions of the Russian and Armenian education systems: this is what sets us apart from other universities. By the third year, full integration is achieved: Russian-speaking students master Armenian perfectly, whereas Armenian-speaking students master Russian."

Vadim Fefilov, head of the Russian House in Armenia (Rossotrudnichestvo), addressed the first-year students with a welcoming speech: "Congratulations, dear first-year students! I wish you success on this path! Best of luck!"

Mikhail Vozhdaev, Counselor of the Russian Embassy in Armenia and Representative of the Russian Ministry of Education and Science in Armenia, emphasized that university is life itself and encouraged the students to make the most of their time there. He wished them not only academic success but also the best chance to build their personal lives, reminding them that student years are the best time for this.

Following the festive ceremony, freshman students met the RAU directors of the institutes and heads of departments.