Just the other day I had a happy experience - I received a diploma of higher education from the P.F.Lesgaft University of Physical Culture, Sport and Health. Naturally, like all students, I had to sit state exams and defend my diploma work. And I really enjoyed doing it, because it gave me the opportunity to make use of the experience that I’ve picked up in sport over the years. You know, I’ve received many diplomas in my life, but this one has a special significance for me because it confirms my sporting achievements in the form of a diploma of higher sports education, bringing practice and theory together.

The award of a diploma is a very exciting process, of course. All our teachers and the university management were there, together with all the graduates, many of which had brought their parents along as well. Naturally, we were all very happy and talked together about our plans. Some want to become trainers and are looking for positions; others want to continue their studies. But the main thing is that all of all already have some kind of start in life. I hope the graduates from our institute will be able to pass on their knowledge and train young kids not only in Moscow, but in the regions too. Because often the teaching conditions are excellent in the regions, including for gymnastics trainers. When we were all chatting together somebody asked for my advice, and I suggested they think about starting a career in one of the regions.

The award of a diploma is also an opportunity to thank your lecturers and the rector for the knowledge they have imparted to you over these years, for their patience and understanding. And I was happy to do this.

I think the problems in education today are mainly to do with the attitudes that teachers take towards their profession. And everything possible needs to be done to create conditions in schools and institutes that will attract teachers who love their job. There are plenty of problems at the moment, of course…but when you think about this, for some reason I always remember the warmth with which my mother spoke about her school (“You can’t imagine, Alina, how much I enjoyed going to school and what good teachers we had!”). You rarely hear anyone say things like that these days. Usually they’ll mention one or two favourite teachers. But we students at the Lesgaft institute were lucky, because we had excellent teachers. A big thank you to them!