III. Moscow State University

Lomonosov Moscow State University is the oldest and the most prestigious university of Russia. Moscow University was founded in 1755 on Saint Tatiana’s Day at the Decree of the Empress Elizaveta and on the initiative of the great Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov. The day of Moscow University’s foundation is celebrated as the Student’s Day in Russia.

Started with three faculties in 1755, Moscow State University nowadays offers education in 27 faculties and research training in a number of institutes. Moscow State University has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence. At this oldest and most famous Russian university, scientific and educational schools of international reputation have been formed. A number of its graduates and professors had become Nobel Prize winners and are considered world famous scientists. According to all private and governmental surveys, Lomonosov Moscow State University is the leading national educational establishment. It is internationally recognized and ranked among the top ten in the world. The University has been providing a means for the people from all over the world to learn about the latest advances in sciences, humanities and medicine for about 250 years.

The total number of university students including post-graduates exceeds 30,000. The university employs 8,500 professors, teachers and researchers. About 6,900 of them hold Doctor of Science Degrees. The number of foreign students is growing constantly. Currently the university hosts about 3,000 students from about 100 countries. The university teachers and professors are highly qualified and world recognized for their achievements in modern sciences. Further, the application of the latest techniques in teaching provides the necessary background for an excellent education. The Diploma of Moscow University has won universal prestige and is recognized worldwide. Many educational programmes are carried out in close co-operation with research institutes of the university and the Russian Academy of Sciences.

The main building of the university is world famous for its exceptional architecture and size – it is the largest and highest university building throughout the world. The university campus located in one of the most beautiful parts of Moscow supplies the students with all necessary facilities: lecture halls, laboratories, libraries, dining halls, dormitories, movie theatre, conference hall, post office, clinics, pharmacy, and various shops. The university campus includes 12 training halls, 2 swimming pools, baseball and football stadiums, tennis courts and other sport facilities. The university closely cooperates with the leading international organizations including UNESCO and The World Bank.

The University is a member of various international associations and has concluded more than 350 exchange, research and cooperation agreements with universities on all continents. Moscow State University is also the centre of cooperation between the universities of the former USSR. The Rector, Prof. V.A. Sadovnichy, is the President of the Eurasian Association of Universities. Many outstanding scholars, public and state leaders of the world have been elected Honourary Professors and Doctors of the University. Among them are J. Goethe, the beloved German thinker and novellist, the first prime-minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru, Margarete Thatcher, Bill Clinton.

Moscow State University provides a wide range of educational services and educational programmes. It has established modern educational programmes in all basic areas of research and education. The educational system of the University is designed to give a student deep understanding of fundamental disciplines combined with specialization in the applied and concrete scientific problems.

Almost all programmes at the University are delivered in the Russian language. However, some graduate and training programmes are conducted in foreign languages. Courses of different type and duration, pre-university programmes, various specialized courses including teachers’ and researchers’ qualification advancement studies as well as courses of the Russian language, history and culture are open for international students.

Notes on the text

tohost – зд. принимать

alumnus (pl. alumni) – (лат.) выпускник университета или колледжа

1. Read and translate the text above.

2. Find in the text the words or phrases which mean the same as: по инициативе, день студента, достижения, аспирантура, всемирное признание, сотрудничество, благоприятные условия, международные организации.

3. Choose the correct word from text to complete the sentences:

1. Moscow State University is the oldest and the most… university of Russia.

2. Moscow University was founded on… of January.

3. Moscow State University nowadays offers… in 27 faculties.

4. A number of its graduates and professors became… winners.

5. The University is the… national educational establishment.

6. The University teachers and professors are highly… and world recognized for their achievements in modern science.

7. The main building of the University is world famous for its exceptional… and size.

8. The University closely… with the leading international organizations including UNESCO and the World Bank.

9. Moscow State University provides a wide range of… services and programmes.