kornes_p_gaiduk_n_red_getting_on_in_english_spilkuemosya_ang

Student Life Today

complex. There are two gymnasia (in Lviv and Sokal). There are also University sports and recreation centres near Alushta and near Odessa on the Black Sea coast and a rec­ reation centre in the Carpathian mountains for winter sports, skiing and tourism.

There are 19 faculties in the University (the Faculties of Control Engineering, Ar­ chitecture, Geodesy, Electrical Power Engineering, Electrical Mechanics, Electrical Engineering and Physics, Civil Engineering, Engineering Economics, Computer Tech­ nology and Information Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Mechanics, Radio En­ gineering, Heating Engineering, Technology of Organic Materials, Chemical Techno­ logy, and Applied Mathematics; the Faculty of Evening Studies, The Distance Learning Faculty and the Faculty of Access Studies). There is also an Institute of Humanities Education, and an Interdisciplinary Institute for Professional Development and ReTraining consisting of three departments - the Departments of Management and En­ terprise, Information Technology and Computer Technology, and Architecture.

There are 77 academic departments, with 35 affiliated units in industry and other organisations and in the Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, and a Department for Army Officer Training.

The Department for Army Officer Training was established in the University, in accordance with a resolution of the Cabinet, on the basis of the former Higher Mili­ tary-Political Academy and the military departments of other institutions of higher education in Lviv. Its purpose is to train career officers and reservists in 27 military specialisms, employing the technical facilities and staff of the academic departments of higher educational institutions in Lviv as well as experts from the military. The in­ tegration of military and civilian education facilitates specialised training of military experts, especially in military geodesy, military topography, automobile engineering, mobile troop operations, military translation, military orchestra conducting, physical training and sports management etc.

The University offers the necessary teaching, research and recreation facilities for its students, postgraduates, lecturers and other employees. In 1994, the Jubilee year, it had 9,862 daytime students, 1,181 evening students and 2,639 distance learning stu­ dents.

Higher technical education is provided also for international students from 43 countries, especially Bulgaria, Poland, India, Bangladesh, Morocco, Syria and Lebanon. There are also international postgraduate students.

The University offers courses in 52 subject areas. For the benefit of young people from Ukraine and from other countries who are considering their choice of future career and are thinking of joining the large friendly community of students at our Uni­ versity, the main subject areas are shown below:

Applied mathematics, Architecture,

Automation and integrated computer technology, Chemical technology,

Civil engineering and building, Computer science,

133

Unit З

Computer systems, automation and control engineering,

Computer technology,

Economics,

Electrical engineering,

Electrical mechanics,

Electronic devices,

Electronics,

Environmental engineering,

Food technology,

Geodesy, cartography and land management,

Laser technology and opto-electronics,

Management,

Mechanical engineering,

Metrology and measurement,

Military specialisms,

Power engineering,

Radio engineering,

Telecommunications,

Transport engineering,

Welding.

86% of the University’s academic staff providing general and specialised education are senior lecturers, professors or hold a higher degree. Multi-level academic pro­ grammes have been introduced, on the model of the world’s leading technological uni­ versities. In addition to the engineering degree in various specialisms, these pro­ grammes lead to the degrees of Bachelor and Master.

A flexible programme of training for university lecturers and researchers is also available. Highly qualified specialists are educated at the University through Masters’ and PhD programmes. Doctoral dissertations are defended before specialised academic committees.

Research Schools

Traditionally, pure research in our university is carried out in the fields of physics, electronics, mechanics, chemistry and chemical technology, mathematical sciences, instrument-making, geodesy and construction. The University has made considerable achievements in these fields in the past, especially in construction. The Lviv school of mathematics has also established a high reputation for its research.

In the 1950s and subsequent years, the University’s research took new directions, including telecommunications engineering, radio physics, instrument-making, elec­ tronics and semiconductors. The research schools are known abroad as well as in Ukraine. The work of their former students has contributed much to further enrich the research schools they founded, and continues to do so. Firm evidence of this is the fact

134

Student Life Today

that over the last several decades nearly twenty scholars have won national and other Ukrainian prizes for their work. Among them are Professors B.Shvetsky, I.Vyshenchuk, M.Nikolaev, V.Perkhach, V.Prokhorenko and B.Stadnyk. The research achievements of our scholars have further been marked by the election to full member­ ship of the academies of various branches of science and the conferment of the title of Academician on Professors Y.Rudavsky, S.Voronov, S.Gotry, V.Yavorsky, E.Mokry, R.Bazylevych, V.Koval, V.Prokhorenko, V.Perkhach, B.Stadnyk, Y.Petrovych, R.Akopyan, V.Shevchuk, V.Chaban, V.Dudykevych, V.Antonyshyn and V.Pohribny.

Today the following research schools are actively developing in the University: Instrument making. Scholars are developing the theoretical principles and the con­

struction principles of precision instruments, equipment for the analysis of vibroacoustic fields of complex structures; multi-functional computerised data measurement systems for process monitoring and diagnostics and specialised computing equipment. In terms of their quality, the devices designed by members of this school are competi­ tive with products of well-known firms in other countries. Permanent contacts are maintained with companies in Canada, Bulgaria and Poland.

Semiconductor sensors. The theoretical and experimental basis of this school was established many years ago under the leadership of Professor O.Andrievsky.'The work is presently being continued by a new generation of researchers - V.Voronin, Y.Budzhak and others - who have created semiconductor thread crystal sensors for mechanical, thermal and magnetic measurement. These are miniature highly sensitive rapid sensors. They can perform simultaneous measurement of several physical dimen­ sions, including medical applications.

Members of this school are responsible for over 270 inventions.

Materials with special physical and mechanical properties for construction appli­ cations. The scientific basis for these materials was derived by Professor M.Shulha. His successors, notably Professor V.Prokhorenko, have succeeded in creating new types of construction materials which are now widely used in instrument making and for atomic energy applications. The research findings are published in Ukrainian and international specialist journals.

New chemical compounds. Significant achievements have been made in this im­ portant field by Professors T.Yurzhenko and D.Tolopko, Their research has in fact established the basis for new research schools. In the school led by Professor S.Voronov, the successors of T.Yurzhenko have created new peroxide compounds which form the basis for deriving materials with special physical and chemical pro­ perties. They are heat-conductive and energy-conductive, but are resistant to radiation, and can be applied in bio-technology and medicine.

The development of new methods of synthesis and new technology for monomer production by catalytic transformation of hydrocarbons is led by Professors E.Mokry and Y.Yatchyshyn, together with other researchers, in the school established by Pro­ fessor D.Tolopko. Research continues here into new monomers, polymers and pollu­ tion-free technologies, which are important for the achievement of ecologically pure manufacturing processes.

135

Unit З

Reinforced concrete construction design. Many industrial and other buildings based on designs by members of this school, F.Klimenko, B.Hnidets and others, have been erected in Ukraine and abroad. One of the founders of the school was Professor A.Kuryllo. The designers developed a theoretical basis for the creation of original re­ inforced concrete structures, especially with external reinforcement permitting savings in reinforcing steel, for the reconstruction of road bridges and the construction of multi-storey buildings with increased strength.

Astronomical and geodetic measurement and aerospace survey. The work of this school began many decades ago. Professors M.Myhal, A.Ostrovsky and G.Meshcheryakov researched into efficient methods and means of enhancing the accu­ racy and quality of astronomical and geodetic measurements. The school has long­ standing and continuous contacts with scholars in Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slo­ vakia, Germany and Poland.

History o f Ukrainian statehood and armedforces. The University has established a school under the leadership of Professor N.Deshchynskyj for research into the history of Ukrainian statehood and the Ukrainian armed forces. This work is part of the Tempus programme funded by the European Union.

The University’s research facilities include 101 laboratories, 12 specialised labo­ ratories, a construction research institute for vibro-acoustic measurement, a special design office for electro-mechanical systems, a radio engineering research unit and a department of semiconductor microelectronic sensors. There are over 100 researchers at post-doctoral level, more than 1,000 at doctoral level and 150 at masters’ level. There are 320 engineers and some 150 technical staff and laboratory assistants support the research activities. Nearly 700 students carry out research each year. The origina­ lity and high quality of the research findings are confirmed by numerous reviews and by the international patents obtained for our inventions.

The research group led by Professors V.Perkhach and R.Bazylevych is making an important contribution to the social and cultural revival in Ukraine, especially their preparatory work on the creation of specialised technical terminology in Ukrainian, on the establishment of national standards and the conversion of computers to Ukrainian.

The University’s research policy is based on the experience of the schools over many years, taking into account the needs of the national economy as well as those of the neighbouring countries with which Ukraine is developing mutually beneficial eco­ nomic and scientific links.

The University helps to foster international economic relations. Contracts have been signed with a number of foreign companies for the export of products of its re­ search activity. Agreements on scientific and technical co-operation have been reached with higher education institutions in the USA, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, France, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria and other countries. This co-operation in­ volves staff exchanges between Ukraine and the above-mentioned countries and also the provision of courses for students in Ukraine and the partner countries. The staff exchanges contribute in no small way to the enhancement of our University’s interna­ tional reputation and the standing of Ukrainian research in general The participation

136

Student Life Today

by our researchers in international conferences, symposia and seminars also promotes the writing of text books and articles and the dissemination of the outcomes of the University’s important research projects. It facilitates the incorporation into our work of western scientific thinking, new technologies and modem teaching and research methodology.

The University is now a centre for international academic conferences and sympo­ sia, attended by experts from USA, France, Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Poland and other countries.

Hie Mortui Vivunt et Muti Loquuntur

The university library was founded simultaneously with the Technical Academy, but its book stock was lost in the fire of 1848. In the 1920s -1930s it became the larg­ est technical library in Poland, counting over 78,000 volumes, creating an urgent need for separate accommodation. New premises were designed by T.Obminsky, a profes­ sor of the Polytechnic, and built between the years 1929-1934 at no. 1 Professors’ Street. The inscription on its facade reads: Hie morti vivunt et muti loquuntur (“Here the dead come to life and the mute speak to us”).

Over the period of nearly one hundred years since the designation of the Polytech­ nic, the library has built up a collection of 90 thousand volumes. During the German occupation parts of the collection were destroyed or stolen. Fortunately, the unique publications dating from the 16th to 18th centuries survived. These include “Works of Verona philosophers and physicians” published in Basel in 1535, Euclid’s “Elements of geometry” (Basel edition of 1546), the works of the architect Vitruvius (1548), Guido Ubaldo’s “Mechanics”, Venice, 1581, the works of Isaac Newton published in London during his lifetime (1687 and 1726), etc.

After the war, the library’s book collection was rapidly expanded and by 1970 it had been increased 15 fold. The numbers of readers rose to 25 thousand. In 1970, a second library building was erected, with bookstacks on seven tiers and four large reading rooms. The architect was P. Mar’ev, a lecturer at the University.

The library now contains over two million titles. The main collection consists of scientific literature (approximately 1,100,000 volumes) and textbooks (approximately 700,000 volumes). Additionally, readers have at their disposal over 150,000 reference works and dictionaries.

There are ten reading rooms, providing nearly 1,600 places for readers.

The scientific and technical library of the Lviv State Polytechnic University is one of the largest university libraries in Ukraine.

Physical Education and Sport

Students have at their disposal two physical education buildings with nine spe­ cialised sports halls, a swimming pool, skiing facilities, a summer sports ground and a rifle range. There are also three sports centres attached to the halls of residence and further facilities at the three coastal sports and recreation centres.

137

Unit З

Physical education is organised for students of all years, taking into account the demands of their timetable. They have opportunities to improve their skills in 36 dif­ ferent forms of sport.

The Physical Education Department and the Sports Club organise large-scale sports and keep-fit activities at the halls of residence and in the recreation and sports centres. Annual sports and athletics competitions between the faculties are held in 26 different events, between the halls in 12 events and at the recreation and sports centres in 15 events.

The sporting achievements of the University are well known. The following have taken part in the Olympic Games: Apolinaria Plekhanova, lecturer in the Physical Education Department (fencing), Yuriy Dmitriev, student of the Faculty of the Faculty of Telecommunications Engineering (cycling) and Oleksiy Demyanyuk, student of the Automotive Engineering Faculty (athletics). Eugene Mokry, a former student of the Faculty of Chemical Technology and now a Professor in the Faculty and an Academi­ cian, has been a medallist at the World Festival in Moscow and has on many occasions won first prize in weight-lifting at the Ukrainian national games. Anatoliy Sekyra, a student of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty, won the silver medal for canoeing at an international competition in Bulgaria. The University’s men’s volleyball, men’s basketball, fencing, women’s handball, tennis, football, ice hockey, biathlon, skiing and orienteering teams have many times been prizewinners in Ukrainian national stu­ dent competitions.

Bringing out Artistic Talent

The “Prosvita” cultural association is very active in promoting Ukrainian culture, organising leisure pursuits and developing artistic talent in students and other mem­ bers of the University. There are nine amateur groups, including a symphony orches­ tra, a choir, a dance group, a staff male voice choir and a music and song group.

The longest-standing group is the symphony orchestra. During the 45 years of its existence it has won many prizes and diplomas, including first prize at Ukrainian na­ tional festivals.

The music and song group is the newest of the amateur groups, founded only a few years ago, but it has already excelled in its performances at international folk fes­ tivals at W^gorzewo in Poland, where it has twice been a prizewinner.

The performances of the amateur cultural groups are very popular with students. Their concert tours in Greece, USA, Germany, Poland, Austria, Italy and Slovakia have met with great success.

Some 3,500 students participate in the amateur cultural groups. Each spring, when they have the opportunity to demonstrate their talent in the “Students’ Spring Con­ certs”, the numbers of participants rise to 4,000.

Conclusion

Our university, one of the oldest higher educational institutions in Ukraine, is highly rated by young people. It has created its own special teaching, research, cul­

138

Student Life Today

tural, artistic and sporting traditions. A survey by the Canadian Association of Engi­ neers has rated Lviv State Polytechnic University among the 20 most authoritative universities of its kind in the world.

150 years separate the original Technical Academy from the present-day Lvjv State Polytechnic University. During this historical span of time, social and political sys­ tems and affiliations have come and gone and revolutions and wars have raged around our university. It is a matter for celebration that we are able to mark the century and a half of its existence as the oldest technological university in Ukraine against the back­ drop of the most important event in our recent history, the gaining of Ukrainian inde­ pendence. In the light of its long history, the University now faces the test of its ma­ turity as an institution of European and world standing.

[Source: © Станіслав Паливода, Державний університет “Львівська політехніка”, 1994, Translation

© Patrick Corness, 1996]

Exercise 1.

Write a report on one of the following topics as fully as possible, using only the material from the text Lviv State Polytechnic University: past and present:"

Topic 1. The history of Lviv State Polytechnic University.

Topic 2. Research schools of the University.

Topic 3. The Library and other student support services.

Exercise 2.

Write an essay on one of thefollowing topics:

Topic 1. Pm a student at Lviv Polytechnic University (speaking from ex­ perience).

Topic 2. Sport for all.

Topic 3. Bringing out artistic talent.

Exercise 3.

Give a short talk on one o f thefollowing topics:

Topic 1. I’m a student of Lviv Polytechnic University (speaking from experience).

Topic 2. Sport for all.

Topic 3. Bringing out artistic talent.

139

Student Life Today

itself to enhancing international co-operation and peace. As a result, both the Univer­ sity and city have an enormous amount to offer students from across the world - ex­ cellent facilities, a range of cultural organisations, a commitment to equal opportuni­ ties and, of course, a very big welcome.

A National Institution with Internationa] Perspectives

Founded upon moral values and the principles of equality, justice and academic freedom, Coventry University aims to provide educational opportunities to the maxi­ mum sustainable extent, through high quality teaching and research.

There are eight Schools in the University:

The School of Art and Design offers five distinct areas of study - fine art, graphic design, communication studies, technical communication and vehicle or product de­ sign;

The School of the Built Environment has modules on building, construction and civil engineering, as well as planning, covering regional and environmental issues and leisure management;

Coventry Business School offers a selection of subjects in the areas of economics, business law, business studies and management studies, including personnel manage­ ment and employment relations;

The School of Engineering: There is a wide variety of degrees here. The courses include new developments such as computer-aided design, robotics, flexible manu­ facturing systems, finite element analysis, microelectronics and computer control.

The School of Health and Social Sciences offers sociology, psychology and social policy as well as modules in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, physiology and nursing.

The School of International Studies and Law: History, politics, international rela­ tions, German, French, Italian, Russian and Spanish, as well as various aspects of the law are offered here.

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences offers a wide range of modules at different levels. There are modules in geography, biology, microbiology, polymer science or mathematical modelling;

The School of Mathematical and Information Sciences: Here there are courses in maths, statistics, computing, operational research and dynamic systems, either as pure subjects or in combination with other subject areas.

The University offers more than 180 courses, with more becoming available each year in response to the changing needs of industry and society. They are taught by an academic staff of over 600. The diversity of learning opportunities attracts a good mix of students of all ages and nationalities. There are over 1,500 international students from 90 different countries at Coventry University. It is important to bear in mind that all tuition and examinations are carried .out in English. Sufficient grasp of the language is needed to cope with the academic demands of the course. Competence in English language is tested in order to assess the needs of international students in this respect,

141

Unit З

and special courses in English as a foreign language (EFL) are provided, including the intensive pre-sessional courses during the summer. The University’s courses have al­ ways been designed with the needs of international students in mind - study pro­ grammes tailored to meet different interests, relevance and self-reliance. The Univer­ sity offers the best in international education. The emphasis here is placed on provid­ ing support to international students to meet both their specific and general needs. This is co-ordinated through the International Office. The International Office aims to pro­ vide help and support to every international student. It serves the special needs of stu­ dents from abroad and provides information and advice on a variety of subjects such as immigration, tuition fees, health, housing, employment, work permits and financial and personal matters.

Tuition Fees

Under British law, students from countries which are not members of the European Union are charged tuition fees at a higher rate than EU students. The tuition fees for non-EU students, payable in advance, are £5,900 per annum for undergraduate courses and £6,900 per annum for postgraduate courses.

The Students’ Union

The Students’ Union is a democratic organisation run by and for students with the assistance of professional staff. The Union building is located in the heart of the Uni­ versity campus, opposite the Coventry Cathedral. Recently the Students’ Union has acquired a new multi-purpose entertainment building. The Union runs over 80 clubs and societies, which cover most sports, and general areas of interest. Its facilities in­ clude cafes, a travel agency and a shop which offers an ever-widening range of goods.

However, sports and entertainment are not the only concerns of the Students’ Un­ ion. The Students’ Union Advice Centre (SUAC) is an excellent independent and free service. It has a staff of friendly assistants and advisers to give advice and support on any matter, be it financial, legal, personal, academic or concerning accommodation or loans.

Another important service is Women’s Priority Transport (WPT) - a free bus which takes students to their homes (within the city boundaries), run every evening, primarily for women.

The Union offers employment to almost 200 members in areas such as catering, bars, stewarding, crew, door staff and WPT drivers.

Along with all these services the Union represents the interests of students within the University as well as being their voice both locally and nationally.

University Support Services

Improvements are constantly being carried out at the University to ensure that the working environment is as pleasant and as welcoming as possible. All the Schools are

142