On November 15, on the eve of Student’s Day, the Department of Russian Language and Literature organized a meeting of students from different generations of the educational program 6B01706 – Training of Teachers of Russian Language and Literature – under the theme: "Modern Student... Who is He?" 

This event became a platform for the exchange of experience between senior students and first-year students. Holding their breath, the students listened to graduates Rufina Aliahunova and Ilaria Vavulidi, who had the honor of participating in the Republican Olympiad in Russian Language and Literature held in Ust-Kamenogorsk. Only profound, systematic knowledge of modern Russian language and literature allowed our team to secure an honorable second place among 16 university teams. 

The senior students encouraged the first-year students to actively participate in research activities, competitions, and Olympiads of both national and international significance. Ilaria Vavulidi shared how excellent academic performance, participation in conferences, and active involvement in the social life of the department, institute, and faculty helped her receive the Presidential Scholarship. 

The baton of experience-sharing was supported by third-year students Dana Zholpanova and Ekaterina Kopylova, who spoke about their involvement in various cultural events such as the “Friendship of the Peoples of Kazakhstan” festival, student initiation ceremonies, the Open Microphone project organized by the Russian Drama Theater and the department, as well as meetings with poets and writers of the region, among others. 

The third-year students urged the first-year students not to wait for invitations to participate in such events but to take the initiative themselves. A special highlight was the speech by third-year course leader Bahar Mamedova, who revealed the intricacies of being a course leader. She encouraged the students to avoid skipping classes, to be engaged participants in the learning process, and to actively take part in the multifaceted and fascinating student life. 

At the end of the meeting, the senior students answered numerous questions from the first-year students, sharing their views on what it means to be a modern student. They reflected on questions such as: Is it easy to be young? Is it hard to achieve success at a young age? What are the main values of today’s student? Is it prestigious to be a student of Taraz University? and more. 

The key takeaway for the participants was a sense of pride in their beloved alma mater. The event concluded with words of gratitude and advice from associate professors A.A. Aladina and M.E. Minaydara, who were the organizers of this event. 

Ph.D. in Philology, Associate Professor Aladina A.A. 

Ph.D. in Pedagogy, Associate Professor Minaydara M.E.