• 02.09.2025 18:22

"There Are No Unnecessary Subjects": Rector Meets TSU's New Students

On September 2, a traditional meeting between Rector Oleg Aleksandrovich Kravchenko and first-year students took place at Tula State University. This year, the event was honored by the participation of a special guest: Nikolay Yuryevich Vorobyov, Senator of the Russian Federation from the Tula Region.

The event began with introductions.

Students arriving to study at TSU came not only from the Central Federal District but also from various other parts of Russia. The geography is quite vast — from the Murmansk Region to the Republic of Crimea. This is not to mention the rich palette of countries from further abroad represented in our university.

All the first-year students are united by their choice — Tula State University. They had only heard good things about it, knowing it is a prestigious institution that provides a quality education. Moreover, our university opens up broad prospects for its graduates.

One young man came from a military town near Murmansk; his father is a submariner.
The freshman shared that he himself has many connections to Tula. His grandmother lives here, and he often visited her. Fifty years ago, his grandfather graduated from what was then the Tula Polytechnic Institute. His uncle is also a graduate of our university.
"I always wanted to study at TSU!" the student admitted. "I achieved my goal! I was admitted to a state-funded place."

Nikolay Yuryevich Vorobyov noted with satisfaction that it is, of course, pleasing to see Tula State University being chosen by young people from all over Russia. This helps popularize the Hero City of Tula and maintain its positive image. The regional leadership and TSU, for their part, will do everything possible to engage these students and maintain their interest.

In turn, Oleg Aleksandrovich Kravchenko told the students about the Tula Workers' Regiment Military Education Center and the conditions for enrollment. He emphasized that students, except for those in medical fields, can undergo military training there without interrupting their studies.

Acknowledging the status of the guest, the Rector of TSU asked future political scientists why they had chosen this field. One freshman from Oryol explained that she chose this area of the humanities because it is interesting, promising, and in demand.

Continuing the theme, Nikolay Yuryevich Vorobyov shared his story of how he, a career military officer, transitioned into legislative work to help people.
The guest stressed that it is impossible to live without politics. Discussing serious political issues with young people is very important. If goodness and rules are not prioritized, he stated, historical values can be replaced by fascism, as can be observed in some countries. This must never be allowed to happen.

The children of participants in the special military operation spoke with particular warmth and pride about their parents.
The father of a student from Obninsk (Kaluga Region) volunteered to fight. He was seriously wounded and now has shrapnel throughout his lung.
"But thank God, he is alive!" the girl said. "That's the main thing!"
The mother of a young man from Protvino (Moscow Region), a medical professional, works in a hospital in Lugansk, saving the lives of our soldiers.
The freshmen admitted that thanks to their parents' support, they were able to enroll at TSU.

Nikolay Yuryevich reported that under the leadership of the Governor of the Tula Region, Dmitry Vyacheslavovich Milyaev, the "Geroi 71" (Hero 71) program is being implemented in our region. He cited a real-life example of a paramedic from Tula who served in Libya, Syria, and the SMO. This man has amazing reflexes and was able to quickly help a girl who fainted at a school assembly.

Among the meeting participants were many high-achievers in chemistry, history, and mathematics, as well as winners of the multidisciplinary "Zvezda" (Star) Engineering Olympiad. Oleg Aleksandrovich told them about TSU's collaboration with industrial partners and the opportunity to do internships at their facilities. He introduced students seriously considering research to the opportunities at the "BioKhimTekh" Research Center.

The freshmen asked their senior colleagues questions.
A student from the Medical Institute asked Nikolay Yuryevich how the Tula Region plans to attract young specialists.
The Senator detailed support measures such as providing service housing, incentive payments, relocation benefits, targeted training for future specialists, and improving the material and technical base of medical institutions. He emphasized that the Tula Oncology Center and the Tula Perinatal Center are particular points of pride for the region.

When asked what advice he would give his younger self starting university, Oleg Aleksandrovich replied that one must understand: there are no unnecessary subjects. The Rector confessed that he himself did not particularly like some humanities subjects, sincerely believing they would be useless. Years passed, and he became head of the university. Now, as a leader, he needs knowledge of political science and economics.

The students asked Nikolay Yuryevich which school subjects influenced his choice of future profession.
The guest shared that his school had teachers who were war veterans. Out of fourteen boys in his class, twelve enrolled in military school. As for specific subjects, chemistry and physics left a deep impression on him.

A question was also raised about expanding support programs for talented students.
Oleg Aleksandrovich spoke about named scholarships established by the university's partner enterprises, student internships at the N.D. Zelinsky Institute of Organic Chemistry and the Pushchino Research Center, and the development prospects for fields related to molecular biology and genetic medicine.

One freshman asked Nikolay Yuryevich to help organize trips for students to the State Duma and the Federation Council.
The Senator emphasized that such practice already exists and will be continued.

In his concluding remarks, Nikolay Yuryevich Vorobyov particularly noted that the armaments chapter is rightfully considered a glorious page in our university's history. Founded as a defense institute, TSU has proudly carried this title throughout its existence. The names of talented gunsmiths like Arkady Georgievich Shipunov, Vasily Petrovich Gryazev, Nikolay Aleksandrovich Makarovets, and Gennady Vasilyevich Denezhkin are known far beyond our region.

He knew Nikolay Aleksandrovich Makarovets personally. At one time, Makarovets and the surgeon Leonid Mikhailovich Roshal were trustees in elections for the President of the Russian Federation.
Once, Dr. Roshal came to Tula, met with Makarovets, and Nikolay Yuryevich was present. They began talking about career choices. Roshal shared that he always wanted to do good and help people, which is why he chose medicine. He then asked Nikolay Aleksandrovich why he became a gunsmith.
"Where were you during the war?" Makarovets asked his colleague.
"Evacuated with my parents," the doctor replied.
"I remember the soles of German boots," said Nikolay Aleksandrovich Makarovets. "As a child, I hid under a bed, and the fascists threw bones at me. I saw them beat my mother. So, I entered the Tula Mechanical Institute and devoted my life to ensuring the defense capability of my country."

"And you, guys, no matter what specialty you choose, must first and foremost be patriots of your country," Nikolay Yuryevich Vorobyov addressed the freshmen. "And most importantly — be good people!"

Tatyana Krikunkova

Photos by Mikhail Gindin