On July 14, the traditional summer TOP-100 ceremony was held at the Kazan City Hall. University diplomas and the Rector's commendations for excellent achievements were presented to students who graduated with honors, as well as those who achieved significant success in scientific research, social activities, creativity, and sports during their studies.

The young men and ladies in the audience could rightfully be called stars. They are not only well-known in their institutes, but have also shown themselves more than once at university-wide events, many are known at the city, republic, and federation levels, and their faces and names can be constantly seen in university news. Now they had to close the last page of a rich, vibrant and fruitful student life.

The ceremony began with the performance of the KNRTU national anthem. As the presenters Kamilla Prakhova and Ruslan Baldin noted: "Graduates are the main wealth and pride of any university." That's why every year the graduation ceremony at Kazan Technological University turns not just into a ceremony, but into a beautiful holiday.

And since KNRTU is an engineering university, a lot of attention has always been paid to building ties with industrial partners, and in recent years this interaction has turned into a truly deep integration, when manufacturers participate in the development and implementation of training programs, and students and teachers keep their finger on the pulse of industry development, passing on the production practice and internships at partner enterprises. It is no coincidence that future specialists, managers, and businessmen are being encouraged by representatives of industry enterprises at the TOP-100 ceremony.

The ceremony was opened by a congratulatory message from Rima Mukhamedshina, General Director of the Department of Food and Social Nutrition of Kazan. As Rima noted, KNRTU is twice as familiar to her: her parents studied at the KSTU named after S. M. Kirov, and the Department of Food and Social Nutrition of Kazan is a traditional employer for graduates of the food biotechnology programs at our university.

"I am very pleased to be present at such a significant event," she said. "Today, this hall is filled with the golden generation, those who hold the future of the city, the Republic, and the entire country in their hands. The world is wide open before you, waiting for you to make your mark. The city and the republic need your bright minds and passionate hearts," Rima Mukhamedshina addressed the graduates. "Your education does not end with the acquisition of diplomas, but now your professional experience will serve as your generous yet demanding teacher. "Don't be afraid of anything, just go ahead!" — she addressed such an appeal to yesterday's students who "stand on the wing."

Representatives of the oil and gas chemical industry, Ilfat Salikhov, Deputy General Director of OAO Tatneftekhiminvest Holding, and Airat Khairullin, Deputy Head of Human Resources at Gazprom Transgaz Kazan, took over the baton of congratulations and awards.

Ilfat Salikhov urged graduates not to lose the positive energy they currently radiate and to maintain their optimism in life. "With people like you, we have a bright future ahead of us!" he concluded his congratulation.

"You are top students, which means you have the character, willpower, and determination to build a successful career," said Airat Khairullin.

Ilya Korzhenovsky, Rector of SIBUR's Corporate University, and Victoria Makukha, Director of Organizational Development at Kazanorgsintez, represented one of KSTU's key partners, SIBUR, at the TOP 100 event. The SIBUR employees addressed the audience not so much as graduates, but rather as colleagues — some of them are already working at SIBUR, and many more, as Victoria Makukha expressed, will soon join them. Ilya Korzhenovsky emphasized that KNRTU is a true talent pool for SIBUR, and he wished the participants of the ceremony to demonstrate their remarkable abilities as soon as possible.

The winners of the national and republican competitions were welcomed and awarded by representatives of two other companies, where they are always welcome to new employees with KNRTU diplomas — Timur Kabirov (Telecom Integration LLC) and Danil Derzhavin (Nefis Cosmetics JSC). "If you have managed to become excellent students, you will also become excellent professionals and specialists who are changing the industry," was the main message of the wishes addressed to the graduates. The warm words of the production colleagues were met with applause from the audience — indeed, as the host, Ruslan Baldin, emphasized, “KNRTU graduates can do anything!”

However, the festive relay was passed on to the representatives of the university. Our best graduates were welcomed and congratulated by Pavel Kochnev, Director of the Soyuzkhimpromproekt Design Institute, and then by Dilbar Sultanova, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs.

Dilbar Sultanova presented diplomas and certificates of appreciation to the winners of the republican and all-Russian stages of the Student Spring festival, as well as to the winners of status-related sports competitions, for whom she proposed a toast to the applause and cheers of the audience.

"For those who are planning their lives now, it is difficult to determine the optimal route in advance, as everything changes rapidly in our world. Let your compass be the values that we share at KNRTU — honesty, teamwork, and dedication!" the vice-rector for graduates urged.

Finally, Yuri Kazakov, Rector of KNRTU, stood up to award the diplomas to the twenty "best of the best."

"I would like to start by expressing my gratitude to the staff of our university, to everyone who has been involved in your education and training over the years. Thank you to the professors, thank you to Dilbar Shamilyevna and her team, and thank you to our partners. I would also like to express my gratitude to your parents and families, who have provided you with a strong support system during your studies," said Yuri Kazakov.

The Rector reminded us that success in the workplace is not only about high positions and salaries, but also about having a job you love that involves constant creative development, as well as having a loving family and maintaining mental balance.

The creative part of the ceremony included vocal performances by soloist Vladimir Skripal and the ensemble of students and graduates of KNRTU, Street Sounds.