2.3 The University support to research students

Read the text and discuss the following issue of the day “Having a postgraduate qualification after years of hard researching how could you see yourself on your way up the career ladder?”

All over the world, there is a tendency of holding scientific degrees by many high-rankers, executives, politicians and businesspersons, and many Russian executives are no exception because a postgraduate qualification can open significant doors. In modern Russia those, who were educated during the Soviet period, have to keep up with the realities and to yield their positions to the young people who have studied abroad where they have been trained in the best research centers in Europe and the United States, who know foreign languages, and have earned Master’s degrees, MBAs, and PhDs.

Under relentless government-based pressure to modify higher education in Russia, there are changes in its structure and content and most notably in the area of postgraduate education. These changes need a coherent national framework for addressing the nature of postgraduate training and the quality issues of research programmes.

To meet the needs of Russian economy for highly qualified employees the education system tries to do its best to raise the prestige of holding a Doctorate. In world practice, employees with an advanced degree are considered to be highly qualified specialists because an earned Doctorate is a sign that this employee has knowledge and qualification. They hold mid-level or senior management positions in companies they work for.

At present in the Russian Federation, there is particular concern for research students. Universities and regional governments support them. Among the priorities is the creation of favourable conditions for research including development and award of various types of grants, which could support postgraduate students in their studies. The Universities also hope that science will be reasonably funded in the nearest future as well as Doctorate holders will be guaranteed a successful career and a deserved and high salary.

Our University helps its candidate students to become researchers after completing their studies. Serving this purpose the University has set up its own programmes for supporting candidate students, young scientists and researchers because many of them have to support themselves by engaging in outside employment which often is unrelated to the research being undertaken. Because of their jobs, the students lack sufficient time and stamina to do their actual studies and much research work. To help research students and young scientists, our University allocates research grants, adds special bonuses to the salaries of active researchers, and provides assistance for the purchase of housing. Young people may participate in scientific conferences at the expense of the University that also covers the costs of their training and thesis defending.

Exercise 2.3.1

To start scientific career and obtain good promotion each researcher should pay attention to the following careers guidance questionnaire for analyzing his abilities, interests and aims. Brush up your grammar, and using conditionals, write some lines about your wishes.

1. What are your skills and abilities?

2. Do you have a good memory?

3. Do you have patience, energy and confidence?

4. Are you reliable and disciplined?

5. Can you express yourself well and clearly when speaking and writing?

6. Do you know practical requirements for the occupation you are interested in?

7. Would you rather work on your own or with other people? Are you good at talking to people? Are you critical?

8. Could you work in a team? Are you responsible, efficient, accurate, well-organized and punctual?

9. Could you keep your self-control and common sense in tough situation and stay independent, friendly and cheerful?

10. Would you mind working long hours in an office or travelling a lot and working outdoors?

11. Would you prefer doing practical or paper work?

12. Are you good at designing things? Do you have a lot of imagination?

13. Would you mind getting up early, working in the evening or at weekends?

Exercise 2.3.2

Brush up your grammar and using conditionals choose the appropriate verb forms

1. If I __________ you, I would accept this job offer.

A. ?    am

B. ? was

C. ? were

D. ? would be

2. You would have succeeded if you __________ trying.

A. ?    keep on

B. ? kept on

C. ? had kept on

D. ? have kept on

3. If the contest __________ tomorrow, I would probably go and see it.

A. ?    was to take place

B. ? were to take place

C. ? was taken place

D. ? would take place

4. __________ in your position, I would go.

A. ?    If I was

B. ? Was I

C. ? Were I

D. ? If I am

5. __________, please give me a call.

A. ?    Should he come

B. ? Will he come

C. ? He should come

D. ? He will come

6. It is necessary that the problem _______ solved right away.

A. ?  would be   

B. ? might be

C. ? be

D. ? is

7. I don't know the answer. I wish I ________ it.

A. ?  know   

B. ? will know

C. ? knew

D. ? had known

8. He talks as if he __________ everything.

A. ?  know   

B. ? knew

C. ? has known

D. ? will know

9. Without your help, we __________ such rapid progress.

A. ?  don't make

B. ? won't make

C. ? wouldn't have made

D. ? didn't make

10. If only I __________ you!

A. ?   could help

B. ? can help

C. ? will help

D. ? help

11. We all insisted that she _____ the meeting.

A. ?   attend

B. ? attends

C. ? attended

D. ? would attend