New HSE Complex on Pokrovsky Boulevard Welcomes Students
HSE University commenced the new academic year with a housewarming party marking the long-awaited opening of its new campus complex on Pokrovsky Boulevard. Rector Yaroslav Kuzminov, Academic Supervisor Evgeny Yasin, and vice rectors of the university took part in the event to welcome students, faculty, and staff.
On September 2, the new HSE complex at 11 Pokrovsky Boulevard opened its doors, and the lively chatter of students finally fills its grand central atrium. In his welcoming speech, Rector Yaroslav Kuzminov noted that the HSE community had been waiting for this day for seven years. ‘I warmly congratulate, first of all, those who will study here on Pokrovka: our future economists, students of the Faculty of Computer Science, and students of the International College of Economics and Finance,’ he said. ‘I also congratulate all students and staff of HSE, because this is the first time we have had such a large space in the city center—something that, by and large, no other Russian university has ever had. In addition, I want to congratulate those who worked so hard these past seven years to make this building happen—those who designed and built it.’
The university building on Pokrovsky Boulevard was closed for reconstruction in 2012. Prior to this, students of the economic departments that were located there nicknamed the old building ‘Fort Boyard’ due to the complexity of its layout. Now the renovated complex is comprised of 13 buildings that are situated in a campus-like arrangement inspired by university campuses in the United States and Great Britain.
Vice Rectors Alexander Shamrin, Vadim Radaev, and Sergey Roshchin, too, welcomed students to their new home. In his address, First Vice Rector Alexander Shamrin told students that they are not guests of the newly renovated buildings, but their owners, and he urged all members of the HSE community to work together to further improve their condition. ‘Speak up about what can be done to make the complex even better—more comfortable for living and studying, and more enjoyable. I wish you success in the new year and am confident that this complex will not be the only of its kind at the Higher School of Economics in the future.’
Sergey Roshchin noted that, for him, Pokrovka is a temple for creativity, where both employees and students can develop new ideas. And Vadim Radaev compared the new complex with Hogwarts.
It is complex, mysterious, beautiful, and majestic. Today, your real lives begin here, and I wish all of us success and good luck
Sergey Yakovlev, Director of the International College of Economics and Finance, which was relocated to Pokrovka, proposed that HSE open a new complex every year, albeit not of such a large scale. Faculty of Computer Science Dean Ivan Arzhantsev noted, ‘We were really looking forward to moving and are thrilled that it has finally happened. Employees and students of the faculty are just starting to settle in, and so far we couldn’t be happier. We hope that the road ahead brings only more good things to come. And with this faith in the future, I wish you a happy Day of Knowledge* and a successful beginning to the academic year.’
HSE Academic Supervisor Evgeny Yasin expressed his pleasure at being a part of the opening of the new complex, and expressed warm wishes not only to its new owners, the first-year students, but to the university rector as well.
The architect of the complex, Mark Feldman, expressed the hope that the complex would become a home for all of HSE: ‘You will make this space your own. When people live together, they begin to resemble each other. In a similar way, this complex of buildings will start to resemble you. Right now it is cold, pristine. But with time, this complex will become your home; you’ll grow close with it and probably even be sad to leave it. We wanted to create a space for you that would allow you to live and study as comfortably as possible.’
In concluding the opening ceremony, Rector Kuzminov reminded the first-year students in attendance that their main task is to study well, and, if possible, participate in university life without forgetting their friends and colleagues. ‘Look around and help. We are a community of people who love each other and love HSE.’
*In Russia, the Day of Knowledge marks the first day of school, which is September 1, nationwide.
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