Yuri Altudov held the meeting with talented first-year students
On September 2, the first day of the new academic year, acting rector Yuri Kambulatovich Altudov held the meeting with talented first-year students at Kabardino-Balkarian State University named after Kh.M. Berbekov. This year, 100 high-scorers joined the ranks of KBSU students, including six who achieved perfect scores. During the open dialogue, the students had the opportunity to ask questions, learn about the university’s opportunities, and meet the university’s rector in person.
Opening the meeting, Yuri Altudov noted the university’s outstanding achievements. In the 2026 National University Ranking published by the Interfax news agency, KBSU entered the top 50, placing 44th-45th overall, and confirmed its status by being included in the RAEX-100 ranking of the best Russian universities. The university is also part of the «Priority 2030» strategic academic leadership program, which allows it to develop cutting-edge research projects.
«We create individualized trajectories and provide opportunities for self-fulfillment for each student. Our goal is for you to graduate as accomplished professionals, having received a high-quality education and found your place in life,» emphasized the acting rector, urging students to feel confident and empowered to take ownership of the university environment.
Responding to a question about his education, Yuri Kambulatovich noted that he had the unique opportunity to study at three leading universities in the country: his native KBSU, MEPhI, and MNEPU. As a striking example of how the Soviet era focused on the development of talented young people, the acting rector of KBSU recalled a touching episode: Nobel laureate Nikolai Basov himself made a special visit to the student dormitory to interact with students, answer their questions, and support their academic interests.
The discussion focused on the challenges of the digital age and the rapid development of AI. Yuri Altudov advised first-year students to be inquisitive and not settle for ready-made answers:
«Your main task is to learn to ask the right questions, critically evaluate information, and develop empathy. Artificial intelligence cannot be interested in topics such as love, faith, or human relationships, and this is your undeniable advantage.»
Speaking about KBSU’s strengths, the rector highlighted the synthesis of research areas typical of a classical university. As an example, he cited the university’s recent victory in a large-scale competition organized by the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade to develop innovative rubber compounds for agricultural and aviation tires. «Solving this challenge required not only chemists and physicists, but also philologists and AI specialists. Only a classical university can assemble such an interdisciplinary team and offer a comprehensive solution that a specialized institute cannot,» he noted.
During the discussion, the students were also reminded of the university’s existing support system for talented young people. This includes financial incentives for high-achievers and for students who successfully present at international scientific conferences.
Furthermore, as a participant in the Priority 2030 program, KBSU is actively developing collaboration with major players in the Russian economy and science—Sberbank, Yandex, Tinkoff, and the National Research Center Kurchatov Institute. Regular visits by such high-level experts to the university have become a well-deserved tradition: they not only introduce students to cutting-edge practices and technologies but also conduct targeted searches for promising young talent for their projects.
The meeting concluded on a warm and motivating note. Yuri Altudov encouraged the students to maintain their leadership qualities, be inquisitive, and actively participate in the life of the university. The event concluded with a group photo.