2. The history of our University

The history of our University dates back to 1931, when the Leningrad Promcooperation Institute was formed. In 1936 it was renamed the Leningrad Technological Institute and in 1959 the Leningrad Technological Institute for the Pulp and Paper Industry. For its merits in training specialists and its research work the Institute was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour in 1981 and since 1987 it has been one of the leading institutions of higher education in Russia.

In 1993 the Institute got the status of University and was renamed Saint Pe- tersburg State Technological University of Plant Polymers.

Various kinds of research are carried out in the University. The main trends of investigations are as follows: creation of new technologies of complex pro- cessing of wood and other plants as natural polymers, development of new prod- ucts, lowering material and energy consumption. The research is closely connected with the teaching process.

The faculty of the University numbers 300 teachers including 17 Academi- cians and corresponding members of Academies of Sciences, 42 Doctors of Sci- ences and full professors, more than 200 Candidates of Sciences and associate pro- fessors, 4 honored members of the Academy of Technical Sciences, 5 National prize-winners.

The University has the graduate course, doctorate and the councils which grant doctor’s and candidate's degrees of technical Sciences. Some world-known scientific schools were created and are directed by the leading scientists of the University. There are 30 chairs in the University.

The University has about 3500 students including 2000 full-time students. The course of study for full-time students lasts 5 years. Every theoretical course is followed by practical training. The third-fourth year’s students have practical train- ing at different integrated pulp and paper mills. One of two engineers working in

the pulp and paper industry has graduated from the University. Many of its gradu- ates work as chief engineers and general directors of pulp and paper mills.

The University has 5 dormitories for 2000 students. The University has nine departments:

• the chemical-technological department,

• the department of mechanics of automated systems of production,

• the department of industrial heat-power engineering,

• the department of automated control systems of technological processes,

• the department of economics and production management,

• the evening and correspondence departments and some others.

3. My Future Occupation: Industrial Heat-Power Engineering

I study at the department of industrial heat-power engineering of Saint- Petersburg Technological University of Plant Polymers. I am a second year stu- dent. Our department trains heat-power engineers. Many of them work at research and design institutes.

Our industry and economy are greatly connected with power engineering. It is impossible to imagine modern life without heat and electricity. Thermal power stations and municipal and industrial boiler houses play an important role in energy system of our country. At present great attention is paid to combined generating of heat and electricity at heat-and-power plants and to centralized heat supply. A qualified specialist should assure that the technological processes and operation of modern equipment along with the cost of heat energy and electricity to be pro- duced suit market requirements. From this point of view the profession of a heat- power engineer is extremely necessary and important and a specialist in this field should be a real professional.

Our department trains qualified engineers capable of operating the most complicated up-to-date technological processes and highly competent in applying modern kinds of equipment and using it in the most efficient manner. After gradu- ating from the university I am going to work as a heat-power engineer. I think that my future work is not easy, but absolutely necessary for our national economy.

Questions

1. What department do you study at?

2. What is your future specialization?

3. Where do the graduates of your department work?

4. Are you going to work as heat-power engineer?

5. Do you like your future occupation?