'Once HSE Student—Always HSE Student': How HSE University-St Petersburg Graduation Ceremony 2026 Went
The concert and sports complex 'Arena' hosted one of the main events of the academic year—the graduation ceremony of HSE University-St Petersburg. In 2026, 1782 bachelor's and master's students of HSE University-St Petersburg got their diplomas, and 303 of them received an honours diploma. The festival gathered almost 6000 guests: bachelor's and master's graduates, their families and friends, as well as professors and mentors.
The evening started with performances by HSE Dance and HSE Music, and by the student band 'Kinda Session'. The team prepared a creative performance to the iconic song 'Mamma Mia'.
A welcoming speech was given by Anna Tyshetskaya, First Vice Rector of HSE University. She presented a digital portrait of graduates and shared their main achievements and merits.
Anna Tyshetskaya
First Vice Rector of HSE University
'Over the years of studying at HSE University-St Petersburg, you passed 142 800 exams and tests, defended 2000 difficult projects, and uploaded 320 000 pages of term papers and theses to an anti-plagiarismsystem. You undertook 4000 internships and also found success in science. In the bank of your cohort, there are a RAS gold medal and 1150 published research papers'.
At the end, Anna Tyshetskaya addressed the graduates with traditional parting words.
'Be yourselves! Act unconventionally! Think globally! Never rely on someone else's intellect, even if it is the most advanced artificial intelligence. And remember: we are always with you. Once HSE student—always HSE student'.
HSE University-St Petersburg graduates also received congratulations from the members of the Board of Trustees: Alexander Loginov, vice president and director of the regional branch 'North-West' of PJSC Rostelecom, Dmitriy Breytenbiher, board member of VTB bank, and Sergey Timoshin, director for operations and regional development at 'T2 Mobile'.
Alexander Loginov
Vice President and Director of the regional branch 'North-West' of PJSC Rostelecom
'From now on, you have three points of support. The first one is behind. These are your dear city, university and parents. The second is in you. HSE diploma proves that you know how to negotiate any questions. Solving difficult tasks is your profession. The third point of support is in the future. Do not go anywhere warm and cosy. Go somewhere interesting. Interest is the only renewable energy on the planet. Let's go!', wished Alexander Loginov.
The school deans also prepared some parting words. All of them highlighted that the doors of HSE University-St Petersburg were open to graduates and wished them never to stop learning, enjoy the chosen profession and change the world for the better.
For academic supervisors of 'Media Communications', 'Applied Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence' and 'Business and IT Architecture of High-Tech Companies', the Graduation Ceremony 2026 was special—they saw off the students of the first intake.
'Just recently, my colleagues and I delivered the first lectures and seminars, rejoiced at the first success of our students and felt stressed because of their first failures. Four years have passed, and we see people who we can call colleagues, not just to be polite', confessed Mikhail Tyurkin, academic supervisor of the bachelor's programme 'Media Communications'. 'Some graduates work at 'Yandex', others work as an editor at a leading journal in the region, some successfully carry out marketing strategies, and others create their own documentaries. This is new proof that 'Media Communications' trains versatile specialists who find their favourite job and, perhaps, calling'.
'Today, we solemnly award diplomas to the first intake of the Master's programme 'Business and IT Architecture of High-Tech Companies'. We are among the first in Russia to teach students to solve strategic business tasks with technologies. Our graduates can design and create efficient, flexible and scalable organisation systems, where IT doesn't just support business processes but serves as their driver and a source of competitive advantage', said Mikhail Zaboev, academic supervisor of the programme.
In addition, professors of HSE University-St Petersburg prepared a small present—a video with wishes for the graduates. The professors made this video with the help of students. They also recorded one more video about themselves as a souvenir.
For some graduates, this evening symbolised the end of their studenthood and a transition to a new life stage; for others, it was a reminder of the importance of the chosen academic path. No matter how different their fates were, everyone agreed: it was much easier to overcome obstacles together with professors and other students of HSE University-St Petersburg.
Valeriia Novikova, graduate of the Bachelor's programme 'Asian and African Studies'
'HSE University showed me how to use my talents and skills. I'm really grateful to my thesis supervisor Milana Iliushina, with whom we went all the way hand in hand, and to our academic supervisor Maria Soloshcheva, who always chose the students' side. Five years ago, I didn't have any publications or experience—over this time, I wrote several research papers for academic journals, went to Morocco and Israel twice, and participated in grant projects. In the future, I'm planning to continue my academic path: I want to teach, develop international projects and be a part of the most comfortable academic community of HSE University-St Petersburg'.
Anatoly Kononov, graduate of 'International Programme in Business and Economics'
'At the end of this long way, I feel relieved and sad at the same time. I won't have to combine studies and work, but also the student life comes to an end, and our ways with groupmates will part.
HSE University-St Petersburg was my safe space. Here, I met people who accepted me the way I was. I wish the university would keep this spirit of freedom and mutual support'.
Sofia Filippova, graduate of the Bachelor's programme 'Law'
'I can't wrap my head around the fact that my studies at HSE University-St Petersburg are over. I hope that after the Graduation ceremony, I will finally feel that I've become a skilled specialist and am ready to enter the adult world.
I think my life now is so bright and intense because I tried as much as possible. Thus, I recommend future students to use all the opportunities offered by the university'.
Sergey Fedchin, graduate with an honours diploma of the Bachelor's programme 'Applied Data Analysis and Artificial Intelligence'
'When I was applying to HSE University-St Petersburg, I didn't even realise what AI was, and now, I work in a team of 'Sber' and collect data for model training. The most valuable thing which I've learnt here is how to puzzle out difficult topics on your own. I am really grateful to Evgeny Safronenko, who was worried about us even after the course ended, and my thesis supervisor, Dmitry Ryumin. Together with him, for a year and a half, we worked on my thesis. Thanks to that, I managed to get an honours diploma'.
Anastasia Saratova, graduate with an honours diploma of the Bachelor's programme 'Media Communications'
'Four years ago, I moved to St Petersburg from Rostov-on-Don. While studying here, I made a lot of new acquaintances, and now I work in the profession as a chief editor in a brand media. All of that without any doubts happened thanks to HSE University.
When we just enrolled without any experience and knowledge, the professors treated us like equals straight away and set a high standard. It was hard to meet this standard, but only the aspiration to be better helped us become real professionals. Thank you, HSE University-St Petersburg, for believing in us!'
Evgeny Zhukov, graduate with an honours diploma of the Master's programme 'Global and Regional History'
'I'm filled with emotions—I want to relive these two years. Over this time, I clearly realised that I would be a historian. During the studies, I discovered a completely new research field for me—the history of science, which I've never engaged in before. I want to thank my thesis supervisor, Pavel Vasilyev, for his mentorship: he guided me, gave valuable advice and showed prospective opportunities'.
A memorable part of the evening was a wedding proposal made by Artem Sadrutdinov, graduate of the Master's programme 'Strategic Management in Logistics', to Yasmin Kamilova, 2nd-year Master's student of HSE University-Moscow.
The grand ceremony finished with the student anthem performed by the academic choir and the main ritual of all graduates, which symbolises the transition to a new status—moving the tassels on the hats from left to right and throwing the graduation hats up in the air.
More photos in the group of the HSE University-St Petersburg Graduation Ceremony. Follow the updates!
