The investiture ceremony was attended by the Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Denis Pushilin, Deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation from the United Russia faction, First Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Education and Science of the State Duma of the Russian Federation Gennady Onishchenko, Chairman of the People’s Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic Vladimir Bidyovka, Deputy Chairman of the Government of Donetsk People’s Republic Vladimir Antonov, Acting Minister of Education and Science of the Donetsk People’s Republic Andrey Udovenko.

The Head of the Republic Denis Pushilin called today’s graduates the hope of Donbass. He also stressed, it is Russia that we should thank for the help in providing many platforms for the development of our students.

“This hall holds the best and brightest. You managed to show advanced achievements in studies and scientific activities. You were honoured with commendations and awards for the highest results in various Republican and all-Russian competitions. Education in the universities of the Republic meets the high educational standards of the Russian Federation, which confirms the quality mark of your diplomas.

The help of Russia, that provides many platforms for the development of our students, enabled your success in many respects. We are grateful to the Russian Federation for the training seminars and workshops, scientific and practical conferences, contests, internships − for everything that helped hone your professional skills.

Dear friends! I wish you to use your mental furniture that you collected all those years of study to achieve ambitious aims. Let your most audacious ideas come true! Go for it, be creative and make it for the greater good of our country. And we are sure to back you up!” the Head of the Republic addressed the graduates.

Denis Pushilin presented the honours diplomas of the Russian Federation to the ten best graduates. Gennady Onishchenko, the member of the State Duma of the Russian Federation from the United Russia faction, was awarded with the medal “Gold Star of the Hero of Labour of the Donetsk People’s Republic” for outstanding achievements before the Donetsk People’s Republic and its people, and significant contribution to the development of the education system of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

Gennady Onishchenko thanked the Head of the Republic for the prestigious award and warmly congratulated the graduates.

“Donbass has always been the part of both the Soviet Union and the Russian Empire, and still is the linchpin that designates the authentic face of the Orthodox Slavic civilization. Everything connected with Donbass is always worthy of the highest mark” he stressed.

Gennady Onishchenko noted that today, when the whole world bumped up against the epidemic, the complete professionalism of medical workers, journalists, and engineers is needed. He also expressed confidence that many of today’s graduates will engage themselves in science to cope with the challenges of times.

Deputy Chairman of the Government of the DPR Vladimir Antonov, Minister of Education and Science of the DPR Mikhail Kushakov, the Head of the Republican Service for Control and Supervision in Education and Science Lyubov Volkova, Rector of the Donetsk National University Svetlana Bespalova, and Rector of the Donetsk National Medical University names after M. Gorky Grigory Ignatenko were honoured with commendations of the Committee on Education and Science of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Bidyovka, the Chairman of the People’s Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic congratulated those who gathered in the hall.

“The diplomas you were given here, on this very stage, are the result of the tremendous job. It was yours, the faculty’s, your parents’. Moreover, what is the most important it is the result of those integration processes with Russian Federation that take place in the Donetsk People’s Republic today. You, my dear graduates, are the integral part that is signed into the history. I wish you to stay dignified sons and daughters of your Fatherland! Way to go!” he said.

Deputy Chairman of the Government of the DPR Vladimir Antonov made acknowledgements to the teachers, the parents of yesterday’s students and spoke the parting words to the graduates.

“On this solemn day I would like to thank, first of all, the faculty that not only taught you, but also brought you up. You lived in a big and close-knit family of your university and absorbed the basic principles of the chosen profession. I would like to thank your parents for their efforts they invested in your nurture. I am sure they hope you become excellent people and splendid experts: scholars, doctors, economists… I wish you, my dear graduates, luck and patience. As today you step into new adult season of life, where you will be responsible for yourself, and for your team,” he noted.

The Acting Minister of Education and Science of the Donetsk People’s Republic Andrey Udovenko wished the recent graduates not to forget their alma mater and to keep learning all their life.

“First of all, on behalf of the Minister of Education and Science of the Donetsk People’s Republic Mikhail Kushakov, I would like to congratulate all the graduates of higher educational establishments, who were presented with honours diplomas. I would like to wish you to always remember your alma mater and to keep learning. Study does not stop today. We are learning our whole lives, we teach others too, but still keep going. Only that can be the guarantee for your successful personal fulfilment, and rewarding career. I am sure you will always be proud of your home university and your universities and the whole Republic will be proud of your achievements!” he said.

75 graduates were presented with honours diplomas. They heartily thanked their faculties for the gain knowledge and promised to become good professionals.

The festive concert programme, which ended with the anthem written by the friends of our Republic from Ryazan Olga Voronova and Aleksandr Trushin “Donbass and Russia are the great power”, performed by the leading singer of the “Donbass” ensemble, the graduate of the Donetsk National University 2021, Anatoly Minyailo, created the mood.

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