On Russian Press Day: How KBSU’s «University Life» Newspaper Shaped the University’s History

On Russian Press Day, Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov (KBSU) extends its deepest respect to all members of the journalistic community. We proudly remember «University Life» – a publication with over 60 years of history, which served as the voice of our university and became an integral part of it. We express our gratitude to everyone who worked on its creation and publication over many years, preserving its legacy.

The history of «University Life» began on December 15, 1958, a year after the founding of KBSU itself. The initiator of the newspaper’s creation was Anatoly Tekuev, a future Doctor of Historical Sciences and then a young scholar. He became the first editor of «University Life.»

«I happily agreed – I had a lot of strength, and it seemed to me then that there were no difficulties I couldn’t overcome. Students and faculty eagerly collaborated with the newspaper, publishing their articles, reports, and information. We produced each issue with love and passion,” Anatoly Kuzhbievich noted in his memoirs.

For over six decades, the newspaper served as a reliable source of information about the university. Its pages chronicled academic year milestones, scientific breakthroughs, highlights of social life, and staff anniversaries. The vibrant student life—their participation in construction teams and Komsomol projects, where team spirit and responsibility were fostered—was also highlighted. The newspaper also covered historical research, social initiatives, cultural and sporting events, fostering a cohesive university community.

For example, in the September 12, 1967 issue, we read an article by fourth-year correspondence student Z. Kosatenko of the Faculty of History and Philology, «The Path to the Summit,» about conquering Elbrus:

«The weather was perfect. The sky was full of stars. When the sun rose, we saw all the beauty of the Caucasus—the sparkling icy peaks of Uzhba, Donguz-Orun, and Nakra. And when we climbed Elbrus, the entire Caucasus lay beneath our feet… In mountaineering, it’s not where you go, but who you go with, so the team must be healthy and friendly. Individualists and egotists have no place in the mountains. Therefore, some people need to think first and then go to the mountains.»

Regular columns such as «Education News» about important changes in the educational process, «Biblioglobus» about the world of literature, «Names» about outstanding figures from the university and the region, as well as «Big Change» and «First-Year Students Speak,» reflecting student opinions and sentiments, were consistently popular with readers:

«To become a chemical engineer, you now need one thing – study hard. I believe this kind of study should be the main characteristic of a university student,» said V. Doroshenko, a first-year student in the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology.
«Now that the entrance exams are behind me and I’ve found my name on the list of first-year students at the Faculty of Chemistry and Biology, I see my task as studying hard and proving that becoming a mechanical engineer isn’t just a dream, but a very real possibility, and mastering it is a student’s responsibility,» said M. Pashtov, a first-year student in the Mechanization Department.

«I became interested in modern physics back in school. That’s why I decided to apply to the Physics and Mathematics Department. Now I can say that my future depends solely on me. My goal is to study hard enough to justify the trust placed in us, graduates of rural schools, during the university admissions process,» says M. Matsukhov, a first-year student in the Physics and Mathematics Department.

The newspaper’s archived issues contain true treasures. For example, the February 17 issue featured a photo of a meeting between KBSU students and prominent Soviet-era authors Konstantin Simonov and Alim Keshokov. The June 1967 issue features poems by renowned Kabardino-Balkarian poets and writers Kaisyn Kuliev, Pyotr Kazharov, and Boris Kagermazov. Boris Utizhev’s articles, cartoons, and caricatures were a huge hit with readers. At that time, the editor-in-chief’s duties were performed by Mukhamed Khafitsa, a student in the Faculty of History and Philology and now a renowned journalist and public figure.

The newspaper’s circulation at various times reached five thousand copies. The publication was popular both within the university community and beyond: it was read in schools, other universities in the republic, and by government agencies.

On this festive day, the KBSU team wishes the journalistic community creative success, inspiration, and an unceasing pursuit of truth. May your work be a source of knowledge, hope, and support for society, as well as an important tool in shaping public opinion and cultural dialogue.