Altai State Technological University

The Altai State Technological University (ASTU) is one of the largest higher institutions of our country. It is also the leading educational, scientific center of the Altai region.

Our university was founded in February 1942 on the basis of the Zаporozhye Engineering Institute. It consisted of 2 faculties: the faculty of mechanical engineering and the faculty of agricultural engineering with a student-body of 360 people. In 1959 it became the Altai Polytechnic Institute. In May 1965 the Institute was named after I.I. Polzunov. In 1992 the Polytechnic Institute was transformed into the University. The student-body of ASTU is over 11 thousand people. At present Rector of the Altai Technical University is Vladimir Vasilyevich Jevstigneev, a doctor of Physics and Mathematics, a professor, an honored scientist, a member of the International Academy of High school and the International Academy of Information.

There are four forms of training in the University: full-time, part-time, extra-mural and distant. After passing entrance exams successfully, students are enrolled into the University on the competitive basis. The course of studies lasts for five years. Part-time and extra-mural students study for six years. Classes begin in September, they are over in June. Students study in 2 shifts. Student’s work is given a mark on a five point or fifty-point scale. The academic year is divided in 2 terms. After every term students take exams. After every session students have vacations – two weeks in winter and 2 months in summer. Senior students have their practical training in different enterprises of Altai Region. Students who study well get grants or stipends.

Student research work is a natural part of training. Leading scientists of the University act as students scientific advisers. In the final year students write diploma papers and take state exams. On graduation students receive degrees of Bachelor and diplomas of specialist.

There are 14 faculties in our university. Distant education is carried out in many districts of the Altai Region. Among the teaching staff of the University there are 44 Academicians and Corresponding members of the Russian Academies and New York International Academy.

There is a post-graduate course in the University. ASTU participates in the Tempus and Intas international programs, collaborates with members of international organizations such as DaaD, ASTR, ACCELS, IREX. It has bilateral agreements with major Universities in USA, Germany, China, the Netherlands and England.

Students of the University have 7 academic buildings, a complex of hostels (including hostel for family students), a big scientific library, a computing centre, a publishing house, a student club, the «Kaleidoscope» student theatre, a preventive clinic, a skiing lodge, sports and rest camp by the river Ob.

Faculties of the University:

1.mechanical technological

2.automobile and tractor

3.chemical engineering

4.power engineering

5.civil engineering

6.faculty of food industry

7.physical engineering

8.engineering pedagogic and computer engineering

9.new information technologies and business

10.humanitarian

11.economic engineering

12.military faculty

13.social service and tourism

14. architecture and design

III. Read, translate and reproduce the dialogues:

Dialogue 1:

– Hello. What classroom are we in?

– Hello. I don’t know. Let’s look up the time-table. Here it is. English class, classroom 410, main building.

– Oh, goodness. How awful, I thought we had a lecture on history at that time.

– What difference does it make?

– It does make a difference to me. I planned to do English home-assignment during the lecture.

– You are lazy-bone. You are sure to fail in your English if you go on like that.

– I bet I shan’t: idle away my time during the term and cram the last fortnight. Goes like clock-work. An excellent method I must say.

– It’s no good with language training. I know it from my own experience. Speech skills and habits need hard and regular work.

– Well, we’ll see.

Dialogue 2:

– Hello. Haven’t seen you for ages. How are you?

– Hello. I am well at present. You see, I have been ill for a month and now I have many problems.

– Have you any health problems?

– No, I haven’t. I have fallen behind in some subjects. Especially, I can’t cope with math.

– As for math, I can help you. I am good at math and have passed the exam in math ahead of time.

– I shall be very grateful to you.

– As far as I know you left school 22 and you are on good terms with English, aren’t you.

– Yes, I am. English is one of the first subjects I have passed my credit tests in. I can really give you a helping hand with English.

– When shall we start?

– I think as soon as possible. Let it be this Saturday 10 a.m.

– Agreed. So, good bye. See you on Saturday.

– Good bye.

IV. Ask your friend:

1.когда он поступил в университет.

2.на каком он курсе.

3.что он знает об истории университета (когда он был основан, политехнический институт, на базе какого института он был открыт, когда политехнический институт был преобразован в университет).

сколько студентов обучалось в институте в год его основания (обучается сейчас).

4.сколько факультетов (общежитий, корпусов) сейчас в университете (было в год его основания).

5.есть ли филиалы университета в других городах.

6.чье имя носит университет.

7.какие формы обучения (отделения) существуют в университете.

8.платное ли обучение.

9.есть ли аспирантура в нашем университете

V.Act out the situations:

1.Вы встречаетесь со своим другом в последний день экзаменационной сессии. Обсуждаете итоги своей экзаменационной сессии. Один сдал все экзамены, и видимо будет получать стипендию. У другого - сессия продлена по болезни.

2.Два школьных товарища встретились на вечере, посвященном дню первокурсника. Они обмениваются новостями: на каких факультетах учатся, трудно ли было поступить в университет, жизнь в общежитии, расписание занятий.

3.Начались каникулы, экзамены сданы, студенты строят планы: где и как можно провести свободное время. Один хочет поправить свое здоровье – с этой целью пойдет в профилакторий, другой думает заняться спортом, будет посещать лыжную базу, готовиться к лыжным соревнованиям.

4.Готовитесь к экзаменам по математике. Обсуждайте со своим другом расписание экзаменов и планируйте когда и как готовиться к ним.