Text 2. Bologna process creates a stir

The Russian government has approved a number of draft bills to reform higher education in Russia.

Forthcoming reform is planned in light of Russia’s accession to the so-called Bologna Process, which the country signed in September 2003. The reform is an acute problem that is being extensively discussed by Russian society. As in Europe, some people support the reform, some are in doubt and others disagree with it.

The proposed changes would create a bachelor degree obtainable in three to four years, a specialist degree obtainable in five years, and a master's degree obtainable in six years. The reforms are expected to increase the competitiveness among graduates of Russian institutions. In part, this is because Russian degrees will be more transferable – as they will be more similar to those in the West as well as in CIS member states, many of which have already adopted similar reforms drawing education in post-Soviet space closer to that of the West.

In further reforms, Russia plans to create several elite business schools and several "mega-universities." Finances are going to be increased for these new schools, and the state will have more control than before.

The state has created several new "federal universities," a new designation that entitles certain universities to more state funding and benefits. Federal Universities will receive increased federal funding. Furthermore, Russia plans to nearly double financing for Moscow State University and St. Petersburg State University as well as fund new construction of dormitories and lecture halls. Federal Universities will also have certain rights such as to establish new branches and tax-free commercial enterprises.

Although has the ability to directly appoint rectors at federal universities, a lot of universities are pushing for the new status, despite the loss of freedom. Many see the increase in funding as an opportunity to regain their prestigious status lost when funding collapsed with the Soviet Union.

A new breed of business schools offering internationally credited MBAs are also being formed to help increase Russia's competitiveness in the international economy.

Champions of the reform point to the big advantage of having greater recognition of Russian credentials across Europe, although many academics in the hard sciences say graduates from well-respected Russian institutions such as Moscow State University are openly welcomed by the rest of Europe for their talents. Apparently, it is no coincidence that Russia’s accession to the Bologna Process is mostly advocated by those academics in the humanities. The positions of rectors of two major Russian universities provide insight into the dichotomy of opinion.

The rector of St. Petersburg State University, Lyudmila Verbitskaya, a philologist, believes modularization of higher education would give students greater freedom in choosing their study paths. The rector of Moscow State University, Viktor Sadovnichy, a mathematician, worries that reforms would lower Russian education standards.

(http://www.sras.org/news2.phtml?m=934)

1. Explain the underlined words, translate them into Russian.

2. Use a dictionary and find out the difference in meaning and usage of the following words.

1. academic (n.; adj.); academical; academician;

b) education (adj.); educational.

3. Translate into English:

1) Более широкое признание российских дипломов в Европе будет большим преимуществом. 2) Несмотря на преимущества предлагаемой реформы образования, введение ЕГЭ – не панацея от коррупции в приемных комиссиях. 3) Приблизив российскую систему высшего образования к западной системе, реформа повысит конкурентоспособность выпускников российских учреждений. 4) На строительство новых общежитий и лекционных залов будет выделено дополнительное финансирование. 5) Правительство будет назначать ректоров федеральных университетов. 6) В советское время выпускники школ имели хорошие знания основ, зазубренные по традиционным методам обучения. 7) Согласно новой методике ученики будут специализироваться в четырех-пяти предметах учебной программы вместо прежних двенадцати-четырнадцати. 8) Вступление России в Болонский процесс больше поддерживается преподавателями гуманитарных, а не естественных наук

4. Summarize the information from Text 1 and Text 2 in four paragraphs.

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