Historical Background. Siberian State University of Railways is one of the oldest higher schools of Russia in the field of transport and transport engineering. It was established in 1932 and named Novosibirsk Institute of Railway Engineers. The building itself is unique for its expressive architecture. The University Museums preserve and share historical spirit with new coming generations. The university is one of the largest educational and scientific centres in Siberia with long-standing cultural, military and sport traditions.
Currently the University with more than 10,000 students is proud of its mission to provide career qualifications and prepare graduates for employment both in Russian and international environment as well as in the reformed railway system.
The University achieves highest graduate employability rates because of its reputation and strong links with railways. The professors develop courses that are highly regarded in the railway system because of the balance between theory and practical application. It prepares graduates to make a positive contribution to the professional railway community.
Our graduates can be found working everywhere from the Ministry of Railways and Local Administration Authorities to various railway companies. The STU is one of the leaders among Russian railway educational establishments.
Course of Training. The Siberian Transport University provides Railway Construction, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Economics, Information Technology, Railway Transportation Management, International Business, Law, Human Resources Management and other programmes. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport and construction.
All students of engineering must have an understanding of the physical sciences and mathematics. The basic engineering sciences are: mechanics of solids and fluids, electrical science, thermodynamics, mechanics, material science, information transmission, logic and computing devices, systems analysis. The University programmes in Railway Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering equip on- and off-campus students with the professional skills of engineering. The courses consist of formal lectures, reinforced by tutorials, laboratory classes and projects, practical design and computing work. All programmes include obligatory foreign language training, which prepare students for a variety of real life and professional situations.
The University provides some extra help and full assistance to students who are having difficulties with their studies. Teachers offer extra remedial tutorials in core subjects, as well as personal counselling and assist students in developing good study skills so that student’s time in the university will be productive and rewarding. Students are required to undertake self-study outside.
Research. STU provides all the necessary facilities, laboratories and up-to-date information technologies for research. These make it possible to not only obtain knowledge but to use new developments in railway industry. In well-equipped laboratories and research centres students carry out their research under the guidance of Professors. Fundamental and applied research at the university is carried out in the research laboratories and centres. Developments in the field of railway engineering, operation and management are introduced in Russian railway industry.
Faculties, Departments and Specialities:
1. Railway Transportation Management Faculty (Rolling Stock and Freight Operation Department; Railway Stations and Junctions Department; Railway Operation Management Department; Vital Safety Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Transportation and Transport Operation Management; Engineering Environmental Protection, Industrial Safety.
2. Railway Construction Faculty (Track and Track Facilities Department; Railway and Highway Surveying and Design Engineering Department; Engineering Geodesy Department; etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Railway Construction, Track and Track Facilities; Highways and Airdromes.
3. Building and Road Machines Faculty (Mechanization of Track, Loading and Unloading and Construction Works Department; Transport Mechanical Engineering Technology and Machine Maintenance Department; Electrical Engineering and Electric Technologies in Railway Industry Department, etc.) It trains specialists in the following fields: Lifting and Hoisting, Road Building Machines and Equipment; Maintenance of Transport, Engineering Machines and Equipment (Building and Road Machines); Standardization and Certification; Automobiles and Automobile Facilities; Machine Building Technology.
4. Civil Engineering Faculty (Railway Structures and Buildings in Railway Industry Department; Technology, Engineering Management and Construction Economics Department; Hydraulics and Water Supply Department; Building Materials Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Civil Engineering; Water Supply and Sewerage; Expertise and Property Management; Economics and Management in Construction Industry; Water Resources Integrated Usage and Protection.
5. Bridges and Transport Tunnels Faculty (Bridges Department; Tunnels and Underground Railways Department; Geology, Footings and Foundations Department; Structural Mechanics Department; Theoretical Mechanics Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the fields: Bridges; Transport Tunnels and Undergrounds; City and Transport Structures.
6. Engineering Economics Faculty (Transport Economics Department; Accounting and Auditing Department; Management in Transport Industry Department; etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Accounting and Auditing; Enterprise Economics and Management (Railway Industry).
7. International Business and Law Faculty (Economic Theory Department; International Business Department; Civil Law Department; Public Law Department; Criminal Law Department; Finance and Credit Department, etc.). It trains specialists in the following fields: Law; Finance and Credit; International Business; Customs; Antitrust Management.
8. Human Resources Management Faculty (Social Psychology Department; Psychology and Education Science Department). It trains specialists in the following fields: Human Resources Management; Psychology; Professional Training.
9. Information Technology in Business Faculty (General Information Science Department, Information Technology in Transport Industry Department, Systems Analysis Department, Applied Mathematics Department). It trains specialists in the following fields: Applied Computer Science (Economy); Information Systems and Technologies.
10. Distance learning Faculty.
c) Read the passage more carefully and answer the following questions:
1. What is the most common name of our University?
2. What is its current official name?
3. When was it established?
4. What programmes does it provide?
5. What are the basic engineering sciences?
6. What are types of academic activity?
7. Students are required to undertake self-study, aren’t they?
8. What happens if students fail to earn credits?
9. What are the faculties of the University?
10. What faculty do you study at?
11. What is the name of your speciality?
12. Where do students carry out their research?
13. What can you say about university library?
II. a) You entered university thanks to the knowledge you gained at school or a vocational school or a technical college. Say a few words about the educational institution you studied at before entering the university, i.e. present your educational background. Give information about:
1) the type of school you studied at;
2) the place where it is situated;
3) the age at which you began to attend it;
4) compulsory and optional courses which you were interested in;
5) how many times a week you had your lessons of English;
6) your favourite subjects and marks;
7) your teachers.
b) Now give some facts about your students’ life. Present information on:
1) the name of your University;
2) its location;
3) the departments at your University (day-time, evening or distance learning);
4) the number of students at the University;
5) the subjects you study;
