The meeting of Saratov State University Joined Academic Council took place at Bldg. X on February 3, 2015. SSU Rector Prof. A.N. Chumachenko reported the main results of the University work in 2014.
Aleksey Nikolaevich brought to notice that the anniversary 105th year was marked by a number of events – political, sociocultural, economic – that influenced the University in some way.
A.N. Chumachenko reminded that in 2014 Saratov State University became number 15 among Russian universities according to the World top universities rating by the British consulting agency QS; SSU is the only Saratov university in the rating list. In the National university rating SSU holds 18th position. The Rector also highlighted Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia Kirill’s visit to Saratov State University on October 25, 2014.
In his report the Rector gave his evaluation of the development program of national research university implementation and its influence on the University life. The report also gave the analysis of the University educational work with special emphases on pre-university and continuing professional education. Today the University offers 11 CPE programs, 7 with the Institute of Ciontinuing Professional Education. 728 people and 457 students completed further professional training and re-training programs last year.
Aleksey Nikolaevich also reminded the University introduced rating system for staff performance assessment. According to him, first year results are not so satisfactory as the average score is 81. “For a university of SSU’s level the average should be 100”, said A.N. Chumachenko.
The most important part of the University’s work is its scientific and research activity. A.N. Chumachenko appraised the work in research results publishing. SSU’s h-index is the highest among Saratov Region universities rising from 52 to 59 points. Saratov State University staff work hard on grants and research programs of the Ministry of Education and Science, Russian and international research foundations. In 2014, the total amount of research funds was 249.03 million rubles.
According to the Rector, the University innovative activity is one of the most in-demand parts of its work. He paid special attention to the two milestone events. On January 20, 2015, Russian President V.V. Putin conducted a meeting of the Military Industrial Commission where he saw some innovations developed by “Tailored Material” lab staff. The laboratory’s scientific advisor is SSU President L.Yu. Kossovich. On January 28, 2015, SSU and “Skolkovo” Fund signed the cooperation agreement. Speaking of SSU’s international relations, A.N. Chumachenko said new forms and methods of work had a positive influence on the number of international students.
Also important are the University’s social projects like helping first-year students adapt to university life and helping students with disabilities. A.N. Chumachenko highly valued the work of the Students Club and SSU Sport Club. He also mentioned the positive influence of “UNIVERiA” project which has for the third time won the 2015 contest by the Ministry of Education and Science.
30 clubs work at SSU. The most popular are volunteering activity and student units’ work. In 2014, the University’s students self-governance program celebrated its 10th anniversary by organizing the X Students’ Initiatives Relay.
Most importantly, year 2014 was the anniversary year for SSU. The 105th Anniversary was celebrated by many events including conferences and concerts.
Summing up the Rector thanked the University staff.
Full text of the Rector’s report is sent to all SSU structural units.
In his speech SSU President L.Yu. Kossovich talked more about the University’s innovative development and characterized its innovative structure and results of its work. He evaluated the work of twenty small innovative enterprises working at the University and spoke about the main areas of research and innovative work.
The President touched on the work of distant learning system that earned the University 21 million rubles in 2014.
L.Yu. Kossovich told about SSU international projects. 471 international students from 34 countries (including Columbia and Morocco) study at Saratov State University and that makes it the regional leader. The University has strong ties with Ankara University.
The President determined the main goals of SSU innovative system development: patent work; increasing hi-tech equipment workload through contractual work; innovations certification; entering into a cooperation agreement with Skolkovo Fund; working with venture capital funds on SSU innovations implementation.
Scientific advisor of the Institute of Sport and Physical Training, Saratov Region Minister of Youth Policy, Sport and Tourism N.B. Brilenok spoke about cooperation between SSU and the Ministry and about the Institute of Sport and Physical Training work.
Dean of the Faculty of Nano- and Biomedical Technologies, Director of the Development Program of National Research University Prof. S.B. Venig spoke of the key events in SSU National Research University work and its results in 2014. He gave a satisfactory mark to the Rector and SSU administration’s work.
Associate Professor of the Department of Russian Philology and Media Education, The Lyceum of Humanities and Economics director M.I. Orlov spoke about the department’s work and its effect on the Lyceum. He thanked the University administration for the help and support.
Dean of the Faculty of Foreign Languages and Language Teaching Methods R.Z. Nazarova told about international professional training for the Faculty staff and new educational programs. She called SSU administration work satisfactory.
Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Mechanics A.M. Zakharov told about new elements of the education process at the Faculty and new lab equipment. He also found SSU administration work satisfactory.
Scientific advisor of the Institute of Philology and Journalism Prof. V.V. Prozorov looked at the future talking about SSU initiatives for the coming Literature Year 2015.
The Joined Academic Council found SSU administration and Rector’s work satisfactory, unanimously.
In his answering speech A.N. Chumachenko thanked everyone for the high evaluation and support.
