Our University

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 669.

Every year thousands of young men and women enter Universities and Institutes of Higher Education in Belarus. Minsk and Gomel Universities may be the aim of many applicants although there are many more Institutions all over the country where students get their higher education in various subjects. Besides day departments there are evening and extra-mural (or correspondence) departments for part-time students who work during the day.

The applicants go in for entrance examinations in July and August before the new academic year begins. A written examination in the Russian language is compul­sory as well as an oral examination in the main subjects the students will take.

If the applicants want to have a good command of the subject in which they will take examinations, they attend preliminary courses.

Most students receive grants. The amount depends on the results of the previous set of examinations and the students' social work.

The first two years of study are generally the most difficult. The new student may have up to 30 hours a week of seminars, lectures and classes.

Apart from the major subject and its allied subjects, university students follow courses in Socio-Political History of the XXth century, Philosophy and Political Economy.

Sport is also compulsory during the first years of study.

Students have holidays twice a year, at the end of each set of examinations.

In winter many of the students take advantage of the weather and go to the country to ski. There are many "rest homes" where students may occupy themselves with various activities ranging from chess to ice-skating.

One popular activity in the summer is taking part in one of many student building brigades for which there are more applicants than places. The brigades perform an important role in bridging the gap between students and working people.

Student's life is a very full one, both academi­cally and culturally. Belarusian education provides the young­er generation not only with formal learning, butwith so­cial, moral and political ideas as well.

Read the following dialogue:

Once a year: every faculty gives an interview for candidates seeking admission. The dean and some of the lecturers welcome them and answer all their questions thoroughly.

Let's go to one of these meetings at the faculty and listen to every­thing they say there.

Dean: Dear friends, Gomel University is one of the most important educational and scientific centres in the country. Its history goes back to 1969.

The University occupies a great many buildings. The teaching staff of the University consists of professors, lecturers and assistants. Many of them are well-known not only in this country, but also abroad. Now I am ready to answer your questions.

Is there any difference in the curriculum' for full-time and part-time students?

Dean: Yes, there is. The evening department holds classes only four times a week, and therefore their course runs for six years.

We have heard that there is a well-equipped lan­guage laboratory at the Philological faculty. Shall we be able to listen to records and-work with tape-recorders there ourselves?

Dean: Of course, you will. You will even have to do it, otherwise your teachers will tell you that you don't work at your English properly. Besides it will help you to improve your pronunciation and speech habits. I'm sure that you will do your best, and there will be no need for your teachers to worry.

Shall we be able to borrow books from the University library being only part-time students?

Dean: Yes, you will have to join our library. It is well stocked with books from the reading-list of recom­mended works for students. Times of opening will be convenient for those who work as well as study. On Mondays and Thursdays our library is open till 9 o'clock in the evening.

Are there any student societies at your faculty?

Dean: There certainly are. We have students' clubs, which are extremely popular with the students of our faculty, especially first-year students. Everybody knows that "Much work and no play never makes people gay". So we hope that you will take part in the activities of our discussion and theatrical groups or the choir. Our University Choir is famous all over the country. Of course there are many sports societies among which you can find something to your liking. In senior years if you are interested in, research work' you will be able to join a linguistic society.

When can we hand in our applications?

Dean: The Entrance Requirements Department will take them from June 20th till July 31st.

What entrance exams shall we have to take?

Dean: You must write an essay and go in for Russian, English and History.