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The 80th Anniversary of Faculty of Geography

18 December, 2018 - 06:00

The 80th Anniversary of Faculty of Geography

Authors:
Text: 
Александра Головачёва
Photo: 
Виктория Викторова

On December 14 the SSU Faculty of Geography celebrated its 80th anniversary in the ceremony hall of Bldg. X. The students Aleksandr Nevruyuyev and Anastasia Malova became the ceremony hosts.

The faculty staff received the congratulations from representatives of different organisations of the city and the region and colleagues from other SSU and institutes and faculties.

The audience was welcomed by Dean of the Faculty of Geography, Professor, and Chair of the Saratov region Division of the Russian Geographical Society V.Z. Makarov. He told them in details about the history of the faculty dividing it into two periods – the pre-faculty and the faculty ones. The latter was constituted by the following six stages: pre-war time, war time, faculty foundation, the first rapid development, maturity, and the second rapid development. The dean commented on the researchers that worked in this or that stage of the faculty and contributed to the geographical sphere, e.g. SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko.

V.Z. Makarov pointed out the recent distinguished achievements of the geographers.

‘Today the faculty has developed in terms of studies and research. We have 5 interdepartment laboratories. We carry out massive research of different areas of the Saratov Region. Besides, we have more opportunities to entice investors. I announce that our faculty is highly-demanded nowadays. We have received new equipment and participated in the SSU innovation projects. It helps us use new research methods of areas in the city and the countryside as well as factory territories. Three terminal papers have been defended at the faculty, and more than 18 monographies have been published. We are especially proud that in the 1990s Yurii Andreyevich Sklyarov headed the group of geographers who created the devices to study and measure solar radiation.’

Also Vladimir Zinovyevich thanked A.N. Chumachenko, a graduate of the MSU Department of Cartography and Geoinformatics, who suggested new ideas on automatised cartography and digital models. Together with A.N. Chumachenko and I.V. Prolyotkin the faculty staff founded the Laboratory of Urban Ecology and the Laboratory of Geoinformatics and Special Cartography, therefore, they have implemented many important contracts and grants.

At the end of his speech the dean asked the students to do their best and use opportunities to build their career, create new ideas, and implement audacious projects.

SSU Rector A.N. Chumachenko reminded about the glory of the Faculty of Geography.

‘The first autonomous faculties of geography were established in Saint-Petersburg, Moscow, Kazan, and Saratov, and only two of them have not undergone any changes – in Moscow State University and Saratov State University. By the way, the MSU Faculty of Geography celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, too. The faculties of the two other universities have become the institutes that conduct research in different geographical spheres. We have worked hard during 80 years and proved that the Faculty of Geography has great perspectives!’ marked Aleksei Nikolayevich.

Moreover, the rector spoke about his work at the SSU Faculty of Geography. In the beginning, he asked his experienced colleagues for advice. A.N. Chumachenko underlined that highly professional personnel had always worked at the faculty. The university pedagogues have been always ready to help their new colleagues, e.g. N.D. Dobrina, the ex-dean of the faculty.

Also Aleksei Nikolayevich highlighted that prominent researchers had contributed a lot to the development of the faculty.

After that the rector gave the letters of appreciation to the faculty staff. The awarding ceremony was continued by Vice-Rector for Youth Policy and Organizational Work A.V. Golovchenko. He presented the letters of appreciation to the most active and talented students – Ivan Kovalyov, Aleksandr Nevryuyev, and Anastasia Malova.

The vice-rector added that all members of the faculty staff understand each other and are always ready to help their colleagues.

Vice-Rector for Research Work awarded a student of the faculty Anastasia Spiryakhina for her research achievements. He congratulated the faculty as well and wished the staff to become more successful and happy.

The faculty dean received a special gift – a beautifully decorated letter form the SSU directors of institutes and deans of faculties. Dean of the Faculty of Physics V.M. Anikin revealed one secret.  It can be considered that the faculty was established in 1917, as the Department of the Physiography and Meteorology existed when there was only one faculty in the university – the Faculty of Medicine.

The graduates of the SSU Faculty of Geography had sent their congratulations to their alma-mater, too.

The faculty staff was also congratulated by ex-Minister of Land Policy of the Saratov Region N.V. Vladimirov, Chair of the Eco-Club “Khvalynsk Hills” V.A. Koshkin, Head of the Geographical Club “Our Place in the World” V.S. Dubovitskii, and the community “Young Vavilovites” headed by Honoured Educator of the Russian Federation, a teacher of geography and ecology of School № 45 A.A. Amirova.

What is more, students performed for the guests: they sang and danced.

In the end, the audience sang the informal anthem of geographers.