Caring for Students: KBSU Launches New Mentoring Program

Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov has launched its annual educational program, «Mentor.» Its goal is to prepare experienced senior students to become reliable guides for first-year students.

According to Elizaveta Khutorskaia, Deputy Head of the Department of Youth Policy and Social Affairs, the mentoring system, which has been in place at KBSU since 2021, has proven itself to be an effective tool for supporting new students. It not only facilitates their rapid adaptation to the university environment but also helps them develop their creative and personal potential, and helps build cohesive and friendly academic communities. Mentors introduce newcomers to campus infrastructure, share important aspects of student life, and provide support in their studies and involvement in community activities.

«Our university has approximately 20,000 students, and it is you, the mentors, who create their first vivid and warm memories of their student years at KBSU. Your first impression of the university depends on you,» emphasized Elizaveta Khutorskaia.

The training will be interactive: workshops, master classes, and discussions will help develop key skills. Participants are divided into three groups, where they will develop scenarios for their first meeting with first-year students and analyze complex cases—for example, how to respond to absenteeism or student stress. Furthermore, future mentors will learn the fundamentals of psychology, pedagogy, and effective communication. This knowledge will form the foundation for a trusting relationship in which first-year students will feel confident and supported in any situation.

Program supervisors closely monitor the participants’ progress, assessing their communication skills and understanding of ethical standards—an integral part of the mentor role. Those who successfully complete the training and final assessment will receive official certificates that will be useful in their careers. It’s worth noting that KBSU’s «Mentor» project has already proven its relevance by winning the all-Russian «Rosmolodezh.Grants» competition in 2023.