IX “Battle of the Schools”: “The Future is Ours!”

On November 25, the MGIMO Cultural Centre hosted an event that has become, for the ninth time, the culmination of the freshman integration period and a celebration of the university community’s unity. The IX “Battle of the Schools” had the “The Future is Ours!” motto and brought together over 600 freshmen, more than 900 spectators, vice-rectors, deans, professors, teachers, and the university’s distinguished guests — renowned scientists, workers of culture and sportsmen, as well as representatives of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

       This creative and cultural project was implemented by the Organizational Committee of the University’s Students’ Union with the support of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs (Rosmolodezh Grants), the MGIMO Endowment, the Department of Student Affairs, the “Russian Media Group” media holding, and the Russian Union of Theatre Workers. The project was dedicated to the 80th Anniversary of the Great Victory and demonstrated how the younger generation connects Russia’s historical legacy with its responsibility for the country’s future.

       The event opened in a striking and unexpected way. The hosts were joined on stage by two innovative robots, “Druzhok” and “Descartes.” Descartes quoted his namesake, the philosopher René Descartes: “Like the brain, a university is an instrument of knowledge and cannot be divided by insurmountable barriers.” This quote, recently cited by Rector A.V. Torkunov in an interview with “Rossiyskaya Gazeta,” received an original continuation. The robot promised to carefully preserve this statement in the archive of the future, placing it in a specially designated capsule. This symbolized the connection between the present and the future, and the inextricable link between scientific progress, youth education, and the continuity of MGIMO and Russia’s traditions. Having thus built a bridge between generations and eras, the hosts invited the Organizational Committee of the Students’ Union to the stage.

       On the main stage of the country’s leading diplomatic university, student creativity, youthful energy, and patriotic self-awareness merged into a single mosaic of national pride for Russia’s achievements in a wide variety of fields. First-year students from 12 schools, educational institutes, and branches of the MGIMO took part in the show contest. The students explored the significant topics assigned to them by lottery — from space and medicine to cinema, music, theatre, science, and youth diplomacy. Their video introductions and creative performances showcased the contributions of MGIMO alumni to Russia’s development in various spheres. The school teams actively included international students from many countries worldwide, highlighting the university’s international dimension and strengthening the intercultural ties within the MGIMO student body. Senior student mentors assisted the freshmen in preparing their performances.

       This year, the «Battle of the Schools» was marked by two spectacular debuts. For the first time, a team from the MGIMO-Tashkent branch performed on the stage of the Cultural Centre. In their vibrant performance, third-year students from the campus explored the theme of friendship between the peoples of Russia and Uzbekistan. The team from the Diplomatic Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also made its debut, and this very first creative show within the MGIMO family earned the students a prize-winning third place.

The school teams’ performances were judged by a competent panel: Igor Loginov, Advisor to the MGIMO Rector, Honoured Doctor of Russia; Egor Litvinenko, Deputy Head of the Federal Agency for Youth Affairs; Olyesya Dotsenko, Master of Sports of Russia, Champion of Russia, bronze medalist of the European Championship, first-category sports judge; Dmitry Dyuzhev, Honoured Artist of the Russian Federation; Vladislav Miller, Russian theatre and film actor, member of the Oleg Tabakov Moscow Theatre company, Chairman of the Youth Council of the Russian Theatre Union; and Irakly, Russian singer and producer. The judges shared their impressions of the «Battle of the Schools» and the performances.

       All teams were recognized as winners in the contest’s most distinguished categories: for energy and strategic vision, the art of intergenerational dialogue, directing international processes, loyalty to traditions, and other meaningful and creative achievements. The awards ceremony for the prize-winning faculties was attended by Igor Loginov, Jury Chairman, Advisor to the Rector, and Stanislav Surovtsev, Vice-Rector for Students’ Development and International Affairs.

       When it was time to announce the winner, Anatoly Torkunov, Rector and Academician took the stage. Anatoly Torkunov noted that regardless of the contest results, all teams had won the hearts of the audience and demonstrated total embodiment of the MGIMO family spirit. On behalf of the entire university’s youth community, the hosts once again congratulated the Rector on his anniversary. All participants and spectators joined in these warm words, and in an atmosphere of celebration and unity, expressed their gratitude to Anatoly Torkunov for his many years of work, comprehensive support, and invaluable contribution to preserving the spirit of the MGIMO family and developing the alma mater.

       First place and the Rector’s Cup went to the School of International Economic Relations. Second and third places were awarded to the teams from the School of International Relations and the Diplomatic Academy. Prizes for the best male and female roles went to Artem Grinchenko (School of International Journalism) and Alinur Magdieva (MGIMO-Tashkent campus). The students received certificates from the contest’s partner, the “SimfoMultimedia” project, the organizer of multimedia concerts performed live by the “Nella Musica Orchestra” symphony orchestra under the direction of Ekaterina Kochetkova.

       The event was hosted by Maximilian Khikhinashvili (Master’s degree student at the School of Governance and Politics) and Egor Gontarenko (2nd year student at the School of International Journalism). The director was N.Churanova.

       The IX «Battle of the Schools» once again demonstrated that MGIMO is a unique space where intellectual and creative development is inextricably linked with civic maturation. Russia’s future is not forged alone in offices and laboratories, but via dialogue, creative interaction, and conscious intergenerational continuity.

MGIMO students — whether they study in Moscow, Odintsovo, or Tashkent, whether they come from Russian regions or from all across globe — have shown that they are capable of seeing the country as a whole: science and art, sports spirit and diplomatic skills not as disparate achievements, but as a single creative impulse of the nation. In the year of the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory, the youth reminded us that historical memory and responsibility for the future are the foundation upon which sovereign development is built. “The Future is Ours!” is the conscious and sincere pledge of those ready to take responsibility for Russia’s development in the 21st century, in a landscape of global challenges and opportunities.