Legal Literacy Week Kicks Off at KBSU

Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov has launched Legal Literacy Week at the initiative of the Student and Graduate Students’ Trade Union. This is more than just a series of lectures, but an opportunity for students to understand their rights and learn about the university’s resources that can make their studies and daily life easier.

Aslan Mambetov, Legal Support Specialist at KBSU’s Student and Graduate Students’ Trade Union, opened the week. He spoke about the real impact of the student union on the university’s life, explaining in detail what this organization is and why every student needs it.

The student union is a public organization of students. The goal of the student union is to protect and represent the interests and rights of its members, the speaker stated.

Mambetov emphasized that the union is not an abstract structure, but a tool that works for students. The trade union assists students in resolving contentious issues related to the academic process, scholarships, dormitory accommodation, and other matters. Trade union staff advise students, represent their interests before the university administration, and assist with the preparation of necessary documents. The speaker also discussed financial incentives, including discounted or free vouchers to health resorts, participation in student exchange programs, and financial assistance in critical situations.

Aslan placed particular emphasis on the principle of voluntariness and responsibility. He reminded students that joining a trade union is a conscious choice.

Membership in a trade union is voluntary. If you want to become a union member, it’s easy. Contact the trade union committee of your institute or college, and they will quickly help you with all the paperwork and issue you a union card, Mambetov suggested.

The speaker also reminded students of the need to pay membership dues, clarifying that the fee is small, amounting to only 1% of their stipend. Legal Literacy Week is designed as a deep dive into student life. Over the course of five days, participants will meet with representatives of various university structures.

Following Mambetov’s lecture on the role of the trade union, students will explore equally important topics. On March 24, Campus Director Belina Aloyeva will speak about comfortable dorm life, and on March 25, Aslan Mambetov will return to the topic of student rights. On March 26, Ibrahim Kalabekov, Deputy Director of the Scholarship Programs Center, will share a guide to obtaining scholarships, and the week will conclude on March 27 with Saida Khachetlova, Deputy Chair of the KBSU POSiA, giving a lecture on media at the trade union.

Students who attend four of the five lectures or all of them will receive a certificate of completion of the educational program.