Text 1. Russian Universities

1. Read the text and choose headings to each of the 5 parts of it from the box

 

 

a) Research at a university. b) Course of training. c) Specialization of universities. d) Organization of studies. e) Entrance to universities.

 

1. Entrance to universities is by competitive examination or by the results of the Unified State Exam which is open to anyone between the age 17 and 35 having secondary education. Those who passed entrance examinations with merit and credit receive monthly financial support in the form of state grants. Students pay nothing for lectures and for using the laboratory equipment. If the applicants did not fail in the examinations but their results are satisfactory they can gain entrance but must pay for their education.

 

2. The complete course at the university lasts for 5 years, in some educational establishments it may be a little longer or shorter. Students have lectures and practical hours. They attend lectures on different subjects: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Philosophy, History of Russia, Economics, Strength of Materials, Drawing and others and take notes of them. Studying at the university is a great experience for students because theoretical material is always supported by practical exercises. During practical hours in the laboratories and shops they study the material of the lectures. Students can borrow books from the university library and use computer-assisted learning materials to read for credit tests and exams.

The academic year is divided into two terms from September to January and from February to July. Students take examinations at the end of a term and can be transferred to the next course. On completion of studies the student passes final state examinations and presents a graduation thesis.

 

3. The classic universities train highly qualified specialists in sciences and humanities. The specialized universities train specialists for one of the fields of culture or national economy. The graduates of specialized technical universities are well grounded in a specific field of engineering. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport, industrial and housing construction.

In all higher educational institutions there are some optional courses which provide students with an opportunity to study besides obligatory subjects, subjects they are most interested in.

 

5. Besides full-time education many institutions offer evening and correspondence teaching. The curricular of correspondence and evening higher schools do not differ essentially in the subjects taught, but they differ in the system in which studies are organized. The basic form of study has tendered to give a high priority to independent work and self-study at home. The majority of evening and correspondence students study professions they are engaged in.

 

6. Those who have a gift for research work may take advanced exams in philosophy, foreign language and a certain field of knowledge to enter the post graduate course. A postgraduate carries out his research and works at the doctoral thesis under the guidance and supervision of the experienced professors and academics. They should work hard to get the highest academic qualification.

 

2. Answer the questions.

 

1. Do students have to pay for their education?

2. Do students get grants for further education?

3. How long does the course of studies at the university usually last?

4. How many terms are there in the academic year?

5. Where do students take textbooks? Do they usually buy them?

6*. What can you say about the trends in Russian educational system? Is it concentrating more on purely academic subjects or on more practical ones?

7*. Would you say that people in Russia are more or less enthusiastic about university education than they are in Britain?

8*. What would you say are the successes and failures of Russian educational systems? Compare British and Russian educational systems.

 

2.3 Speaking

 

Using the chart make a report on higher engineering education in Russia.

 

 

 

 

 

		Faculties

 

 

 

 

 

UNIT 3 Siberian Transport University

1. Vocabulary

Give Russian equivalents to these word combinations:

prepare graduates for employment expressive architecture long standing traditions employability rates personal counseling productive and rewarding lectures reinforced by tutorials equal in time to dismiss from a positive contribution to undertake self-study on- and off-campus students to earn credits obtain knowledge under the guidance of to cheat in the exam sophisticated learning environment extracurricular activities leisure activities track-and-field to pursue new interests core subjects full assistance to be highly regarded employability rate extra remedial tutorials to carry out research students dormitories (hostels)

Railway engineering transportation management freight operation professional skills engineering personnel mechanics of solids and fluids material science thermodynamics systems analyses up-to-date information technologies (IT) Computer Engineering rolling stock track and track facilities loading and unloading Electrical Engineering machine maintenance Hydraulics, Water supply and sewerage Civil Engineering Building materials Railway Construction Footings and foundations Theoretical Mechanics Structural Mechanics Applied Computer Science practical design and application Bridges and Tunnels Human Resources Management Accounting and Auditing

 

 

2. Reading

1. Read the text

Siberian Transport University

Historical Background. Siberian State University of Railways is one of the oldest higher schools of Russia in the field of transport and transport engineering. It was established in 1932 and named Novosibirsk Institute of Railway Engineers. The building itself is unique for its expressive architecture. The University Museums preserve and share historical spirit with new coming generations. The university is one of the largest educational and scientific centers in Siberia with long-standing cultural, military and sport traditions.

The list of famous university graduates is long and impressive (2 Ministers of Russian Railways: N.Aksyonenko and V.Starostenko, 25 Executives of Railway branches, Kemerovskaya region Governor A.Tuleev and others).

Currently the University with more than 10,000 students is proud of its mission to provide career qualifications and prepare graduates for employment both in Russian and international environment as well as in the reformed railway system.

The University achieves highest graduate employability rates because of its reputation and strong links with railways. The professors develop courses that are highly regarded in the railway system because of the balance between theory and practical application. It prepares graduates to make a positive contribution to the professional railway community.

Our graduates can be found working everywhere from the Ministry of Railways and Local Administration Authorities to various railway companies. The STU is one of the leaders among Russian railway educational establishments.

In 2003 Siberian Transport University ranked 20th among 174 technical universities of Russia, 3rd among 10 railway universities of Russia, 2nd among 28 technical universities of Siberian Federal District, 1st among 6 technical universities of Novosibirsk.

 

Course of Training. The Siberian Transport University provides Railway Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics, Information Technology, Railway Transportation Management, International Business, Law, Human Resources Management and other programmes. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport and construction.

All students of engineering must have an understanding of the physical sciences and mathematics. The basic engineering sciences are: mechanics of solids and fluids, electrical science, thermodynamics, mechanics, material science, information transmission, logic and computing devices, systems analysis. The University programmes in Railway Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering equip on- and off-campus students with the professional skills of engineering. The courses consist of formal lectures, reinforced by tutorials, laboratory classes and projects, practical design and computing work. All programmes include obligatory foreign language training, which prepare students for a variety of real life and professional situations.

The University provides some extra help and full assistance to students who are having difficulties with their studies. Teachers offer extra remedial tutorials in core subjects, as well as personal counseling and assist students in developing good study skills so that student’s time in the university will be productive and rewarding. Students are required to undertake self-study outside formal classes at least equal in time to the number of hours of formal classes per week.

The complete course of study lasts 5 years. Each academic year consists of two terms. Several times a term students are graded according to their achievements. At the end of the term students earn credits and are allowed or not allowed to take exams. Any student caught cheating in the examination is disqualified. Those failing exams or disobeying the rules are dismissed from the University.

 

Faculties, Departments and Specialities:

1. Railway Transportation Management Faculty (Rolling Stock and Freight Operation Department; Railway Stations and Junctions Department; Railway Operation Management Department; Vital Safety Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Transportation and Transport Operation Management; Engineering Environmental Protection, Industrial Safety.

2. Railway Construction Faculty (Track and Track Facilities Department; Railway and Highway Surveying and Design Engineering Department; Engineering Geodesy Department; etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Railway Construction, Track and Track Facilities; Highways and Airdromes.

3. Building and Road Machines Faculty (Mechanization of Track, Loading and Unloading and Construction Works Department; Transport Mechanical Engineering Technology and Machine Maintenance Department; Electrical Engineering and Electric Technologies in Railway Industry Department, etc.) It trains specialists in the following fields: Lifting and Hoisting, Road Building Machines and Equipment; Maintenance of Transport, Engineering Machines and Equipment (Building and Road Machines); Standardization and Certification; Automobiles and Automobile Facilities; Machine Building Technology.

4. Civil Engineering Faculty (Railway Structures and Buildings in Railway Industry Department; Technology, Engineering Management and Construction Economics Department; Hydraulics and Water Supply Department; Building Materials Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Civil Engineering; Water Supply and Sewerage; Expertise and Property Management; Economics and Management in Construction Industry; Water Resources Integrated Usage and Protection.

5. Bridges and Transport Tunnels Faculty (Bridges Department; Tunnels and Underground Railways Department; Geology, Footings and Foundations Department; Structural Mechanics Department; Theoretical Mechanics Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Bridges; Transport Tunnels and Undergrounds; City and Transport Structures.

6. Engineering Economics Faculty (Transport Economics Department; Accounting and Auditing Department; Management in Transport Industry Department; etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Accounting and Auditing; Enterprise Economics and Management (Railway Industry).

7. International Business and Law Faculty (Economic Theory Department; International Business Department; Civil Law Department; Public Law Department; Criminal Law Department; Finance and Credit Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Law; Finance and Credit; International Business; Social and Cultural Services and Tourism; Customs; Antitrust Management.

8. Human Resources Management Faculty (Social Psychology Department; Psychology and Education Science Department). It trains specialists in the following fields: Human Resources Management; Psychology; Professional Training.

9. Information Technology in Business Faculty (Information Technology in Transport Industry Department, Systems Analyses Department). It trains specialists in the following fields: Applied Computer Science (Economy); Information Systems and Technologies.

10. Correspondence Faculty.

 

Research. STU provides all the necessary facilities, laboratories and up-to-date information technologies for research. These make it possible to not only obtain knowledge but to use new developments in railway industry. In well-equipped laboratories and research centers students carry out their research under the guidance of Professors and Doctors of Technical Sciences. Fundamental and applied research at the university is carried out in 23 research laboratories and centers. Developments in the field of railway engineering, operation and management are introduced in Russian railway industry. The university library occupies the area of some 3000 square meters and has its own web-page at the University Internet site. The on-line library catalogue is constantly replenished. It is a very comfortable and sophisticated learning environment, conveniently located at the STU campus. Students have access to computers and Internet both in class and after class.

 

Student’s Life. The University campus consists of several academic blocks, stadium, gym, swimming pool, canteen, clinic and students dormitories. STU is fully brought to life by the lively students’ extracurricular activities, for instance in music and sport. Student life within the University is characterized by a plethora of different theatre groups (the drama studio “Sphera”, the dance theatre “Imperia”, short play theatre “Factorial”, etc.), the Club for Cheerful and Inquisitive, the University choir and the Drawing and painting studio where students apply their artistic talents. Student Leisure Centre regularly organizes a wide range of leisure activities, concerts, shows, celebrations and discos. Sports Centre develops various kinds of sports: track-and-field, ski racing, skating, swimming, basketball, volleyball, lawn tennis, chess, aerobics, even judo and sambo wrestling, weight lifting, biathlon and mountain climbing. STU has all the facilities for sports: open-air stadium, 2 skiing centres, Physical Education classes. A new gym with a swimming pool is built. Sporting, cultural and social events and entertainments both on and off campus take place all year round and students can also enjoy after class activities as a way of making new friends or to pursue new interests.

 

 

2. Answer the questions.

1. What is the most common name of our University?

2. What is its current official name?

3. When was it established?

4. Who are the famous graduates of the university?

5. What programmes does it provide?

6. How long does a complete course last?

7. What are the basic engineering sciences?

8. What are types of academic activity?

9. How does teaching staff help students having difficulties with their studies?

10. Students are required to undertake self-study, aren’t they?

11. What happens if students fail to earn credits?

12. What are the faculties of the University?

13. What faculty do you study at?

14. What is the name of your speciality?

15. Where do students carry out their research?

16. What can you say about university library?

17. Where can students apply their artistic and sport talents?

 

 

3. Speaking

 

1. You passed your entrance exams thanks to the knowledge you gained at school or a vocational school or a technical college. Say a few words about the educational institution you studied at before entering the University, i.e. present your educational background. Give information about:

 

1) the type of school you studied at;

2) the place where it is situated;

3) the age at which you began to attend it;

4) compulsory and optional courses which you were interested in;

5) how many times a week you had your lessons of English;

6) your favourite subjects and marks;

7) your teachers.

 

2. And now give some facts about your students’ life. Present information on:

1) the name of your University;

2) its location;

3) the departments at your University (day-time, evening or correspondence);

4) the number of students at the University;

7) the entrance exams you passed before entering the University;

5) the subjects you study (humanities, technical subjects, sciences);

6) the equipment the University is provided with;

7) the examinations you take and the grants you receive;

8) the students’ hostels;

9) the students of your group and the teaching staff;

10) what you like and dislike about the University.

 

3. Render the text in English or in Russian.

Setting up in 1932 five railway specialities in new Novosibirsk Institute of Transport Engineers marked a new stage in developing higher transport education in Siberia. The new educational establishment was aimed at supplying Russia with engineers capable to do all types of work.

The first chancellor of the Institute was Sergey E. Propastin, a former military officer who participated in World War I and in the Civil War. He was killed in the battle near Kiev in 1941. Those who worked out the first curriculum strove to provide students with the most profound knowledge in mathematics, physics, mechanics, chemistry, military training. In 1934 the Institute was reorganized into the Novosibirsk Institute of Military Transport Engineers. The course of training lasted 6 years.

Since the first days the institute united talented Russian lecturers, scientists, skilled railway and transport engineering specialists. STU school of Mechanics has been internationally recognized. The university scientists took an active part in developing theoretical and experimental methods of the mechanics of solids. Significant contribution was made by the university professors to bridge building, providing freight safety, developing railway track engineering in Siberia.

 

4. Render the texts in English.

В течение последних нескольких лет СГУПС активно развивает международные связи с вузами стран Дальнего Востока. Вузами-партнерами СГУПСа являются: Университет Хоккай-Гакуэн (Япония), Корейский национальный колледж железных дорог (Республика Корея), Корейский научно-исследовательский институт железнодорожного транспорта (Республика Корея), Пхеньянский железнодорожный институт (КНДР). Ежегодно совместно проводятся Международная молодежная научно-практическая конференция и обмены делегациями студентов и преподавателей.

 

Газета СГУПСа «Кадры транспорту» 1 сентября 2004 г.