A technical higher educational institution from Germany becoming a new business partner
On July 24 2014 our university received German representatives, who are interested in cooperating with Belgorod State Technological university named after V.G. Shukhov. The delegation included professor Jürgen Kretschmann, the president of Technische Fachhochschule Georg Agricola in Bochum and Mr. Karl Kleinberg, a specialist in surveying.
As we have already established a tradition, the guests' visit began with laying flowers at the monument to V.G. Shukhov. Mr. Kretschmann admitted that for him this ceremony is not a formal act:
- I am familiar with the works of Vladimir Shukhov and I am admired with the abundance of talents of this distinguished scientist and inventor. That is why I am very pleased to pay tribute to him.
The ceremony was followed by a meeting in the conference hall of BSTU Academic Council with the participation of German visitors and rector of the University, prof. S.N. Glagolev, BSTU President prof. A.M. Gridchin, the faculty staff and the students. Prof. Jürgen Kretschmann made a presentation of the higher technical institution he heads, described the progress and the prospects of Technische Fachhochschule Georg Agricola.
The University in the German city of Bochum was founded in 1816 and specialized in training for the mining industry. In the middle of the last century, the college received the status of higher school, which, by European standards is equivalent to the university. 2,400 students, among them - 35 young people from Russia, undergo training at three faculties. The future specialists study engineering geology, mining and industrial management, electrical engineering, information technology. Upon graduation, they will be awarded a bachelor's or master's degrees. However, according to Mr. Kretschmann, to enter the university is not so simple. Applicants to Technische Fachhochschule are required to have not only complete secondary education, but also training in the specialized school, supported by practice in the enterprise.
Technische Fachhochschule is a private institution and belongs to a group of mining companies. It bears the name of a prominent scientist in geology and mineralogy. In 2006, the school introduced a presidential form of management - professor Jürgen Kretschmann was appointed to this responsible position.
- And since my term expires only in 2022, we still have a lot of time to establish friendly relations, - said the guest under unanimous approval of the hall.
The President stressed that Technische Fachhochschule is actively cooperating with Russian institutions. For example, the Moscow Mining University, St. Petersburg University of Mining. And Technische Fachhochschule in Bochum would willingly see Belgorod State Technological university named after V.G. Shukhov among its partners.
We could arrange arrival of Belgorod students in Bochum for one semester training - offered Mr. Kretschmann. Sergei Nikolaevich Glagolev liked the idea. But he expressed the wish to expand the list of possible joint projects.
The President of the German university responded to questions from the audience. BSTU staff and students were interested, for example, what is done in Germany with students who fail to cope with the academic program or whether it is necessary for students to combine work and studies.
Then the floor was given to Karl Kleinberg. He spoke about the existing program at the university's unique training program in postmining, i.e. reuse of waste pits. And showed pictures featuring particularly successful projects "reformatting" of abandoned mines. One of them turned into a beautiful park which serves not only as a good decoration landscape area, but also a way to provide new jobs for the miners who lost employment.
The meeting resulted in signing a cooperation agreement between BSTU named after V.G. Shukhov and Technische Fachhochschule Georg Agricola.
The German guests then made a short tour of the university, visited two university centers - high-technology and innovative youth centre. And in the afternoon they went for a tour around the city. Also on this day, they met with the mayor of the city of Belgorod S.A. Bozhenov.
On July 25, the German delegation continued their familiarization with the university.
Irina Doronkina
Photo George Alexandrov