Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University

Universities play a prominent part in the educational and scientific life of the towns. Universities are traditionally important scientific centres, which carry on different research work and train highly qualified specialists for scientific, cultural and educational institutions, industrial enterprises, secondary and higher schools, and public bodies. The principal aim of the universities is to give their graduates a solid theoretical background and to combine research and study. The higher school gives the students the necessary professional skills and equips them for independent creative work.

I am a first-year student of Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University. The history of the University goes back to 1940 when the Lutsk State Teachers’ Training Institute was founded, then in 1951 it was reorganized into the Lutsk Pedagogical Institute and only in 1993 it became the Volyn State University. In 2007 it got the status of the National University.

Lesya Ukrainka Eastern European National University has level – 4 accreditation. Here over 12 thousand students are working towards bachelors, specialist and master degrees and 400 graduate students are working on their candidate of science or doctor’s dissertations.

At present, the University includes seven Institutes: the Institute of Social Studies, the Institute of Philology and Journalism, the Pedagogical Institute, the Institute of Arts, the Institute of Foreign Philology, the Institute of Economics and Management and the Institute of Health and Physical Training.

The study course lasts for five years at our University. Lectures, laboratory work and seminars are always a part of time-table whatever the speciality. Highly qualified teachers deliver lectures at the University. Term papers are prepared by the students independently. To complete the study course the student takes final examinations and presents a diploma paper. There is an extra-mural department at our University where the people combine work and study. Some students study free of charge. Many of them receive state grants. Others pay fees for their study.

The university consists of 9 educational buildings, a library, the Palace of Culture, a sports facility, a biology summer camp, 6 students’ hostels, a medical-rehabilitation center, a dispensary, Information and Computer Centre, the “Vezha” publishing house and the “Gart” recreation camp on the Lake Svityaz.

There are numerous lecture rooms, classrooms, laboratories, studies and computing centres at the disposal of the students. There is also a fine assembly hall where various scientific conferences, evening parties and amateur art concerts are held. Art groups often take part in different concerts. The students who come from other towns and villages live in the hostels. I like my studies at the University though it is rather difficult because it takes me much time to be ready for classes.

Exercise 3. Answer the questions.

1. What is the role of universities?

2. What is the principal aim of the universities?

3. What is the history of our university?

4. What university degrees do you know?

5. How many institutes are there in our university? What are they?

6. How long does the study course last?

7. What does the student do to complete the study course?

8. What department do students combine work and study at?

9. Do all students study free of charge?

10. How many educational buildings are there in our university? What are they?

11. Where do students from other towns and villages live?

12. Is it easy for you to study at our University?

Exercise 4. Say if it is true or false.

1. The academic year begins in October. 2. It lasts for five months. 3. The academic year has two terms. 4. The examinations take place in April. 5. The students have holidays four times a year. 6. The winter holidays are short. 7. We study on Sundays. 8. The students sit down when the teacher comes into the classroom. 9. Classes finish at 2 o'clock or at 3.45 p.m. 10. The students are always attentive at the lessons. 11. You live at the hostel. 12. The students always attend all classes. 13. You have English classes two times a week. 14. You prepare your homework at the library.

Exercise 5. Give English equivalents to the given words and word combinations.

творча робота

працювати самостійно

теоретичне підґрунтя

освітній заклад

основна мета

професійні навички

високо кваліфікований спеціаліст

наукове дослідження

провідна роль

тривати

першокурсник

випускник

розклад

ступінь бакалавра

ступінь магістра

навчальний курс

дипломна робота

курсова робота

отримувати стипендію

навчатися безкоштовно

платити за навчання

брати участь

жити у гуртожитку

займати багато часу