Graduation Ceremony 2017

The final days of the academic calendar at HSE include a range of activities that serve as the culmination of a learning marathon that each student, regardless of discipline or programme, has worked hard to complete.  The Department of Public Policy’s international Master’s programme saw its own marathon come to an end with a graduation ceremony on June 29. An unforgettable event for both students and faculty members, the graduation ceremony saw students awarded with diplomas in recognition of their readiness for the world as professionals well equipped with the skills to function in an increasingly globalized world.

The event was held at HSE’s main conference hall where the academic supervisor of the Master’s programme in Comparative Social Research, Professor Christian Froelich, made the opening remarks. Students earning the red diploma (honours diploma) were invited to the podium first, receiving a rousing applause in recognition of the consistency and hard work they demonstrated in their studies. This year, six students in the Public Policy programme were awarded red diplomas, including two double degree students – Nikita Davydov and Maria Diukareva – who were also awarded Master’s degrees from the University of Bologna. All the red diplomas were handed out by Professor Nina Belyaeva, who was then given a bouquet in gratitude for her academic leadership and support for the students during the two-year programme. 

Students who worked under Professor Dmitry Zaytsev, Professor Sanjay Rajhans, Professor Artyom Uldanov, and Professor Sergey Parkhomenko were introduced by each, who briefly told the audience about their work and their growth as students over the two years.

At the very end of the ceremony, Katherina Cheklina, the programme’s manager, was given a long applause and a large bouquet was for her tireless support of the programme’s teachers over the course of the programme.   

Throughout the celebration, the graduates continuously smiled, laughed and bubbled with joy for a number of group photos, including during the traditional hurling of their caps on the staircase at the HSE building. While one learning cycle has come to an end, a new path for professional and academic excellence awaits each of these proud and accomplished alumni.