Matviyenko made BSU professor emeritus

Chairperson of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia has become a professor emeritus of the Belarusian State University.

The title was bestowed upon Valentina Matviyenko for her contribution to the development of the Belarusian-Russian relations in education, science and culture.

The certificate was presented by BSU Rector Sergei Ablameiko. He noted that this is the most distinguished title at the university which has been conferred to over 30 outstanding people of the world. Among them are heads of state, parliament speakers and prominent scientists.

Valentina Matviyenko stressed that she takes this title as a great honor. The Russian official pledged assistance to make the Belarusian-Russian relations even stronger. “The Belarusian State University is known worldwide. The university takes pride of its alumni that include a great number of scientists, diplomats and other outstanding people,” the Speaker of the Federation Council noted.

Valentina Matviyenko is currently the highest-ranking female politician in Russia. She was born in Khmelnitsky Oblast in 1949. She served as Deputy Chairperson of the Government of the Russian Federation in 1998-2003. She was Governor of St Petersburg from 2003 to 2011. Valentina Matviyenko was named Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation in 2011.