Before reading the text, study the words in column A and find their synonyms in column B.

A	B
1. an undergraduate	a. next
2. subsequent	b. a stimulus
3. to train	c. dorm(itory)/hostel
4. to value	d. a student
5. Hall of residence	e. to establish
6. a board	f. appreciate
7. an incentive	g. to teach
8. to found	h. committee

THE BELARUSIAN-RUSSIAN UNIVERSITY

“Which University to enter?” is one of the biggest decisions you have to make after leaving school. It determines your entire future life.

This year I entered the Belarusian-Russian University in Mogilev. It is a dynamic modern university with a long history of providing higher education to meet the needs of society and industry. The University is subordinate to the Ministries of Education of the Republic of Belarus and of the Russian Federation.

The Belarusian-Russian University was founded in 1961 as the Mogilev Mechanical-Engineering Institute and later was reorganized into a university. It is located in the center of Mogilev. Now it comprises a system of a continuous educational process: Lyceum - College of Architecture and Construction – University – Professional Development and Retraining Institute. The total number of students is 12 000. The number of undergraduates at the University is 7500. The University has 8 faculties. It trains engineers and economists in compliance with the Belarusian and Russian educational standards.

Entrance to the University is by centralized testing. Those who pass tests successfully are enrolled in the first course. The basic subjects of this year are Higher Mathematics, Physics, History of Belarus, Belarusian, Russian and a Foreign Language, PT classes, etc. These subjects lay the foundation for specialized subsequent years. The University has a good computer network and our library is a real investment in supporting our students’ learning.

Specialists of the highest qualification are trained through Master and Post- Graduate (PhD) courses. The University has a specialized Board for defending theses and awarding the Candidates of Engineering Sciences degrees.

The University close relationship with industry and commerce benefitsstudents, teachers and the society. The University also highly values its many international contacts. Students from foreign countries are an important part of the Belarusian-Russian University.

The University has three Halls of Residence situated within a walking distance from it. There are several sports clubs, providing a wide range of sporting opportunities.

The overall strength of the Belarusian-Russian University and the attractions of the city of Mogilev together offer a strong incentive to live and study here.

Combine parts of word combinations from the text.

A	B
1. to make	a. a university
2. to determine	b. the needs
3.to enter	c. an incentive
4. to provide	d. a decision
5. to meet	e. a degree
6. to benefit	f. the foundation
7. to award	g. the society
8. to defend	h. life
9. to offer	i. theses
10. to lay	j. higher education

Fill in the gaps with prepositions where necessary.

1. The Belarusian-Russian university is subordinate … the Ministries of Education of two countries.

2. The University comprises … 8 faculties.

3. The students of the Economics faculty are trained … compliance … Belarusian educational standards.

4. In August I found out that I had been enrolled … the Economics faculty.

5. The subjects I am studying now will lay the foundation ___ my future career in economics.

6. A number of graduates make a decision to obtain the highest level of education … Post-Graduate course.

7. International students value … the opportunity to study in the BRU.

Complete the sentences using the words from the box.

benefits, faculty, subjects, network, overall, lyceum, undergraduate, continuous, needs

1. A system of ___ educational process includes not only University and College of Architecture and Construction, but ___ as well.

2. Mechanical-Engineering ___ is one of the oldest in the BRU.

3. The facilities of the BRU meet all the ___ of modern ___ .

4. The basic ___ include Math, Foreign Language and History of Belarus.

5. The computer ___ of the university ___ students’ learning process.

6. BRU’s cooperation with regional industrial and commercial institutions adds to its ___ strength.

Finish the sentences.

1. The BRU was founded in 1961 and in compliance with its specialization it was called …

a) Belarusian Technical Institute.

b) Mogilev Mechanical-Engineering Institute.

c) Mogilev Technological Institute.

2. Structural division of the BRU that provides an opportunity for obtaining the second higher education or a new specialty is …

a) Professional Development and Retraining Institute.

b) College for Professional Development and Retraining.

c) Institute for Retraining of Pedagogical Staff.

3. Enrolling in the University is based on …

a) the applicant’s results of the final school exams.

b) the applicant’s results of the centralized testing.

c) the applicant’s determination to study.

4. The University has a specialized Board for …

a) demonstrating the achievements of its international students.

b) defending theses on Economics.

c) awarding Candidate of Engineering Sciences degree.

5. There are three Halls of Residence situated …

a) not far away from the University.

b) in the suburbs.

c) within 100 meters from each other.