Our graduates shape their own futures by choosing from variety of career opportunities in industry, science, and business

• Science: Landing Ph.D. positions and continuing research at leading Russian and international research entities
• Industry: Landing specialist positions in various industry sectors, demanding fundamental knowledge of mathematical and theoretical physics
• Startup: Starting a business on their own or through the Skolkovo innovation ecosystem with its extensive pool of experts, partners, consultants, and investors

Education in Skoltech is free. Students can create their individual learning plan and complement the compulsory set of disciplines by elective courses and projects from any field. Research is an integral part of the studying process.

Charles Belina, USA: “ I chose to study at Skoltech because it allowed me to receive a world-class education, while also experiencing life in a foreign country. Nowhere else could I live out my dream of living abroad in a cosmopolitan city like Moscow while studying at a top university. Skoltech encourages collaboration and team projects and teaches its students to make an impact; this means that you learn how to create something that people can use. ”

Shreya Santra, India: “ I decided to pursue my Master’s at Skoltech when I found out how this newly established institute is sending positive ripples through the international scientific community. The experienced faculty and advanced research facilities available in Skoltech are very appealing for every engineering student. The environment at Skoltech is extremely friendly and motivating, and it is easy for international students to adjust to life in Moscow. ”

Adeniyi Adebayo, Ghana: "Minds, hearts and hands! Skoltech helps you rediscover true learning: it is experiential and engages your mind in every sense, including the heart and hands. It is a transformative experience and I loved every part of the journey."

After reading:

 

Study the vocabulary:

World-renowned – adj., famous throughout the world.

Curriculum – n., t he lessons and academic content taught in a school or in a specific course or program.

Rigorous – adj., extremely thorough and careful.

Entrepreneurial – adj., characterized by the taking of financial risks in the hope of profit; enterprising.

Approach – n., a way of dealing with a situation or problem.

Stand apart from – v., to differ, to be distinguished from.

Immersion – n., the act of dipping something in a substance, completely covering it.

Supplement – v., add an extra element or amount to.

Insurance – n., an arrangement by which a company or the state undertakes to provide a guarantee of compensation for specified loss, damage, illness, or death in return for payment of a specified premium.

Entity – n., a thing with distinct and independent existence.

Complement – v., contribute extra features to (someone or something) in such a way as to improve or emphasize their qualities.

Compulsory – adj., required by law or a rule; obligatory.

Elective – adj., an optional course of study.

Encourage – v., give support, confidence, or hope to (someone).

Pursue – v., continue or proceed along (a path or route).

Ripple – n., a small wave or series of waves on the surface of water, especially as caused by a slight breeze or an object dropping into it.

Adjust – v., alter or move (something) slightly in order to achieve the desired fit, appearance, or result.

 II. Comprehension questions.

1. When was Skoltech founded?

2. What degrees may students get at Skoltech?

3. How many programs does Skoltech offer? Name them.

4. What approach is used to provide students with a world-class higher education?

5. What course gives tips how to commercialize ideas?

6. Are there academic mobility programs?

7. What does student package contain?

8. What career opportunities do graduates have?

9. What language is mainly used when conducting lessons?

10. How can students turn their knowledge and skills into action?

 

 III. TRUE / FALSE: Read the article again and decide if the statements are TRUE or FALSE.

1. Skolkovo institute of Science and Technology offers courses in Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree.

2. Skoltech’s curriculum includes programs both in technical and humanitarian fields.

3. Skoltech unites best Russian scientific traditions and best world practices.

4. Students are allowed to draw up their own training program.

5. Students are taught how to develop their entrepreneurial skills.

6. All lessons are conducted in Russian.

7. Students can participate in various international academic programs as trainee or researchers.

8. Education in Skoltech is provided only on commercial basis.

9. Each student conducts research projects as it is an integral part of educational process.

10. All research facilities are perfectly equipped.

 

 IV. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1) entrepreneurial	a) milestone
2) equipped	b) opportunities
3) life	c) courses
4) design	d) conferences
5) attend	e) collaboration
6) shape	f) skills
7) elective	g) training programs
8) positive	h) laboratories
9) encourage	i) ripples
10) career	j) future

 

  V.Match words with their definitions.

1) curriculum	A) the capacity and willingness to develop, organize and manage a business venture along with any of its risks in order to make a profit.
2) accreditation	B) deep mental involvement in something.
3) innovation	C) the process of two or more people or organizations working together to complete a task or achieve a goal.
4) entrepreneurship	D) the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.
5) milestone	E) a set of proposals or terms offered or agreed as a whole.
6) collaboration	F) a room or building equipped for scientific experiments, research, or teaching, or for the manufacture of drugs or chemicals.
7) conference	G) the act of granting credit or recognition, especially to an educational institution that maintains suitable standards.
8) package	H) an important event in the history or development of something or someone.
9) immersion	I) a new thing or new method of doing something.
10) laboratory	J) a meeting, often lasting a few days, which is organized on a particular subject or to bring together people who have a common interest.

 

VI. Read the extract from the article written by Jennifer Dimambro, science sector leader. The following three titles were removed from the text. Skim through the text and match the titles with the paragraphs.

A) Future design and expansion

B) Sustainability

C) Targeted flexibility

 

1) __________

The brief from MIT stated that a university for the 21st century did not create academic departments, but rather created space for all disciplines to collaborate in. The laboratory design allows for each of the five science clusters to be located throughout the building, adjacent to any other cluster, without oversizing the plant and infrastructure. This approach provides infrastructure that meets the general needs of all science typologies, with the capability to provide additional capacity in some targeted areas.

 

2) __________

The floor plan typologies share a common kit of parts to enable easy re-configuration. All research areas required additional strengthening to allow for ceiling mounted hardware such as cranes and heavy plant.

The large single storey basement was one of the many technical challenges for the structural engineers. The basement was below the ground water level and the design intent was to avoid any movement joints. The maximum basement dimension of over 250m meant that detailed consideration had to be given to thermal and shrinkage effects and construction sequencing.

 

3) __________

Skolkovo IC has a dedicated ‘Green Code’ for sustainability, and Skoltech is also aiming for LEED Silver certification. The Green Code bans combustion on site and as such all vehicles will be parked at the site boundary and on-site transportation will be via electric vehicles. There is a central district heating plant that supplies medium temperature hot water to Skoltech, and a dedicated cooling plant, designed by others.

The energy consumption of the building was estimated using the ASHRAE 90.1 (2007) method, as required under LEED. Design Builder incorporating Energy Plus was used as the modeling software.

 

VII. Language focus. Read this extract again and find in the text word which mean the following:

1. The definition of infrastructure is the basic facilities and installations that help a government or community run, including roads, schools, phone lines, sewage treatment plants and power generation.

2. The maximum amount that something can contain or produce.

3. The act of rebellion against someone or something.

4. Socio-ecological process characterized by the pursuit of a common ideal.

5. The use of goods and services by households.

 

 

 VIII. GAP FILL.Put these words into the spaces in the text below.

cultivate science world-class laboratories unique arrangement single loop academic facilities

critical issues cutting edge research equipment research university researchers and entrepreneurs flexible occupation

 

Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech) is a global 1) __________ located in Moscow, Russia. Established in 2011 in collaboration with MIT, Skoltech aims to 2) __________, technology and business for a new generation of 3) __________, promote advanced scientific knowledge and foster innovative technology to address 4) __________ facing Russia and the world.

The new campus, designed by Herzog de Meuron, is home to 40 5) __________ each containing 6) ___________. As Lead Consultant, Arup was responsible for project delivery in its entirety, including provision of all engineering and architecture.

Structured as East and West ‘Rings’, Skoltech’s 7) __________ is designed to encourage collaboration and enable 8) __________ across different science disciplines. The curved shapes connect laboratory buildings, shared 9) __________ and public spaces within a 10) __________. Skoltech is one part of the Skolkovo Technopark Moscow.

 

IX.Spelling: Unjumble the words in bold

1. Students receive rirogosu theoretical and practical training

2. close atineiogrnt to society and industry

3. by choosing from a ivretay of courses

4. 8-week eritsnhinp at leading industrial companies

5. how to commercialize ideas and research nfdigsin

6. a monthly psacolrshhi starting from

7. The experienced faculty and davcneda research facilities

8. 8-week internship at ealdgin industrial companies

9. internationally rewnodne labs and universities

10. participate in science and student ctitomeiopns

 X. Translate from Russian into English.

Учёные с мировым именем, предпринимательские навыки, проходить практику, оборудованные лаборатории, выделяться, карьерные возможности, обязательные дисциплины, курсы на выбор, неотъемлемая часть, научное сообщество.

 

XI. Fill in the table and share your ideas about the information from the article with the class.

What I knew	What I know now	What I want to know

 

 XII. Search the Internet and find out information about entry requirements for the course that you are interested in. Share what you discover with your group in the next lesson.

 

 

C) NSTU NETI entered the world rating on Computer Science and Engineering and Technology

D) Open Day at university

 

Text D.

 

Leisure activities

 

Before reading:

I.  Brainstorm. Answer the following questions:

 

1. How do you spend your leisure time?

2. What are your hobbies? Do you find the balance between your study and hobbies?

3. What do you know about student’s life in your university? Are there any clubs?

4. Do you take part in university activities? If yes, what kind?

5. Are there any opportunities for students to reveal their talents?

 

While reading:

 

 

 II. Read the text about leisure activities in Russian universities and match activities, titles and pictures.

Leisure activities

Days of National Cultures Hiking & Travel Clubs The Club of the Jolly and the Quick-Witted Sport Clubs

Parties Performing Arts Studios and Schools Sport Volunteering

 

 

1. _________ The most memorable event in the life of any student is the initiation ceremony for freshmen and graduation day. The third year is when students celebrate their Equator, that is, the mid-point of their university studies. The event features concerts, skits, and jokes. As a rule, each university has its own amusing rituals for freshmen and graduates. For example, Hippocrates himself greets medical students at their admission ceremony, biology students are given different liquids to try, such as tea, citric acid, etc., and are asked to determine the composition of the liquid, future journalists are offered to eat pieces of newspaper with jam. Graduates also have their funny traditions: for example, medical graduates place bandages on the monuments of prominent Russian scientists Sechenov and Pirogov, graduates of the faculty of journalism of Moscow State University climb the monument to Lomonosov, the founder of the University, and graduates of Bauman MSTU ride around student hostels in washtubs tied to cars.	a)
b)	2. _________ This is the club where students from different departments compete in humorous acts and perform funny sketches. The wittiest participants form the University KVN team, which plays in inter-university games and the all-Russian KVN. The best of the best get to participate in a KVN television show.
3. _________ During this event students from different countries tell other students about their home country, its culture, traditions, and national cuisine. Such meetings broaden the students’ horizons and help them learn many fascinating new things.	c)
d)	4. _________ Universities run a variety of creative associations such as student theatres, bands, dancing groups, music and singing studios, etc. Even if you study physics or math, you can still enroll in a school of drawing or a literary club.
5. _________ Universities have this kind of clubs, which arrange joint trips, walks and hiking tours. Everyone is welcome to join the community.	e)
f)	6. _________ Universities have centres where students can learn about ongoing projects, initiatives, events, and internships in Russian and foreign organisations. There are opportunities to work in Russia and abroad. You can also find many communities in social networks devoted to social, environmental and other issues in Russia. Join them and you will always be in the know when it comes to doing a good deed.
7. _________ When you enroll in a Russian university, you automatically gain access to its sports grounds, stadiums, sports complexes, swimming pools, fitness halls, and its sports community. You can get involved in amateur and professional sports alike. Each university hosts its own tournaments, competitions between departments, participates in intercollegiate, municipal, all-Russian and international competitions, including the Universiade.	g)
h)	8. __________ Are you into sports? Join a sports section at your university. The coaches who work with students are staff from the physical education departments, honoured athletes, winners of national and international competitions. Students who achieve outstanding results in different sports become members of university teams. For information on sports sections, visit the pages of universities on the Study in Russia website or on the Sports sections of the university website.

After reading:

Study the vocabulary:

Initiation – n., the action of admitting someone into a secret or obscure society or group, typically with a ritual.

Freshman – n., a first-year student at university.

Skit – n., a short comedy sketch or piece of humorous writing, especially a parody.

Admission – n., the process or fact of entering or being allowed to enter a place or organization.

Prominent – adj., important; famous.

Department – n., a division of a large organization such as a government, university, or business, dealing with a specific area of activity.

Broaden – v., become larger in distance from side to side; widen.

Enroll – v., officially register as a member of an institution or a student on a course.

Internship – n., the position of a student or trainee who works in an organization, sometimes without pay, in order to gain work experience or satisfy requirements for a qualification.

Deed – n., an action that is performed intentionally or consciously.

 

 III. Comprehension questions

1. What events do Russian universities hold?

2. How student may reveal their talents?

3. What outdoor activities may students participate in?

4. Where do students get to know foreign cultures and traditions?

5. What examples of admission ceremonies are given in the article?

6. Where do students perform with funny sketches?

7. What sport facilities do universities provide?

8. Who usually work as coach at university?

9. Who may join the university sport team?

10. What communities organize significant social, environmental activities?

 IV. TRUE / FALSE: Read the article again and decide if the statements are TRUE or FALSE.

1. All Russian universities have the same rituals for freshmen and graduates.

2. Only the best teams can take part in a KVN TV show. 

3. Students may get familiar with culture and traditions of different countries and learn a lot of new things during Days of national culture.

4. Students of technical faculties are not able to join art studios or schools.

5. If students want to join trips, hiking tours or joint walks, they should visit travel bureau. 

6. Students may enroll in international as well as Russian volunteering projects.

7. Students have to pay to get access to university sport facilities.

8. Students have opportunities to engage both in professional and unprofessional sport.

 

 

  V.SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article.

 

1) freshmen	a) admirable
2) to determine	b) to join
3) to broaden	c) trainer
4) fascinating	d) first-year students
5) to enroll	e) to accomplish
6) to arrange	f) personnel
7) coach	g) to organize
8) amateur	h) to define
9) to achieve	i) unprofessional
10) staff	j) to expand

 

 VI. PHRASE MATCH: (Sometimes more than one choice is possible.)

1) initiation	a) games
2) perform	b) community
3) inter-university	c) environmental issues
4) broaden	d) ceremony
5) run	e) competition
6) join	f) sketches
7) enroll	g) results
8) devoted to	h) associations
9) host	i) in club
10) achieve	j) horizons

 

 VII. GAP FILL.Put these words into the spaces in the text below.

establish dice suit lifestyle audience

quizzes participants performances entertainment societies

Russian students lead an active 1) __________: they go to concerts, attend festivals, competitions, sporting events, play in the student theatre... Whatever university you choose, you will always be able to find something you like, be it sport, 2) __________, or something creative.

A variety of festivals for young people is held in Russia, including music, theatre, sports, ethnic, and linguistic festivals etc. Most students are not only the 3) __________ but also the 4) _________ of these performances – they sing, dance, appear in drama 5) __________, and reveal their various talents.

Debating 6) __________ welcome those who like to debate on social and political topics or aim to share their views on the future of science. Some universities run intellectual 7) __________.

Russian students often 8) __________ clubs and societies to 9) _________ every interest, from paragliding to chess, motoring or oriental games such as 10) __________ and backgammon.

 

 

VIII. Find 15 words and make up collocations related to the students’ leisure time.

O	A	S	S	O	C	I	A	T	I	O	N
U	P	T	S	Y	I	Q	C	Z	X	E	M
T	R	U	F	R	E	S	H	M	E	N	R
S	K	D	D	W	U	V	I	B	X	R	E
T	A	E	G	T	A	L	E	N	T	O	V
A	Q	N	O	P	N	Z	V	C	V	L	E
N	E	T	K	Z	X	G	E	T	S	L	A
D	H	O	S	T	Z	A	M	K	P	W	L
I	Y	H	J	C	E	R	E	M	O	N	Y
N	L	W	F	J	O	I	N	Z	R	T	R
G	U	R	U	N	W	N	T	X	T	E	M
Q	C	O	M	P	E	T	I	T	I	O	N

 

 IX. Speaking. Ask your partner questions about leisure time and make notes. Then tell the class the information you get to know from your partner.

STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS

1. Did you find the information in the article interesting? Why / why not?

2. What are your hobbies? 

3. Do you participate in any university activities described in the article? If yes, what kind?

4. What other activities can you think of?

5. Are you satisfied with the quality of activities that university provides? Why / why not? What would you like to improve?

 

STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS

1. Did you find the information in the article useful for you? Why / why not?

2. What do you do in your leisure time?

3. Would you like to participate in any university activities described in the article? If yes, what kind?

4. What are you good at: sport, creativity, science, communication, wittiness or something else?

5. Are you good at combining study and hobbies? Would you like to spend more time on study or on your hobbies?

 

  X.Search the Internet or use your ideas and experience and find out the information about leisure activities in your city that students prefer. You may use the following questions to complete the report.

- What are the most popular places in your city among students?

- Are these activities free? Do students have any benefits?

- Why do students find these activities / places interesting?

- Have you visited any of them?

- Are these activities interesting only for your age group?

 

XI. Writing. Imagine that you work in university publishing center. Write an article about activities held in your university that you visited as participant or audience. You may use photos to illustrate the article. Share your experience, feelings and view on this event.

 

Appendix 1.

Speaking Tips