Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin – the President of the rf government

Vladimir Putin was born in Leningrad, October 7, 1952.

In 1975, he graduated with a degree in law from Leningrad State University. Later he earned a Ph.D degree in economics.

After graduation, Mr. Putin was assigned to work in the KGB. From 1985 to 1990 he worked in East Germany.

In 1990, he became assistant to the rector of Leningrad State Univer­sity responsible for international affairs.

His next position was an advisor to the chairman of the Leningrad City Council.

In June 1991, he became chairman of the St. Petersburg City Council’s International Relations Committee and, starting with 1994, he combined this post with the position of First Deputy Chairman of the St. Petersburg City Government (First Deputy Mayor).

In August 1996, he was appointed deputy head of the President’s Administrative Directorate (Property Management Directorate).

In March 1997, he became deputy head of the Executive Office of the President (Presidential Administration) and head of the Central Supervi­sion and Inspections Directorate.

In May 1998, he was promoted to first deputy head of the Presidential Administration.

In July 1998, he was appointed director of the Federal Security Serv­ice and, as of March 1999, he combined this position with that of Secretary of the Security Council.

In August 1999, he was appointed Prime Minister.

On December 31, 1999, he became acting President.

On March 26, 2000, he was elected President of Russia and was inau­gurated as president on May 7, 2000.

On March 14, 2004, he was elected President of Russia for the second term.

In 2008 he became the head of the Russian Federation government.

Now he is the President of the Russian Federation again.

Speaks German and English.

He has two daughters: Maria (1985), Katerina (1986).

Vocabulary

Ph.D. degree in economics — кандидат экономических наук

to assign — назначать на должность

to be responsible for smth. — быть ответственным за что-л.

position — положение; должность

to appoint — назначать (на должность), утверждать (в должности)

to promote — выдвигать; продвигать; повышать в чине/звании

Exercise 15: Answer the questions.

1. When and where was Vladimir Putin born?

2. What education has he got?

3. Where did he work and what positions did he hold?

4. When was he elected the President of Russia for the first term?

For the second term?

5. What can you say about his family?

6. How many languages does he speak?

Lesson 2 Our university / Наш Университет

Exercise 1: Read and translate the text, learn the active vocabulary:

Astrakhan State Technical University

Astrakhan State Technical University is situated in one of the most picturesque places of our town, not far from the great Russian river Volga.

Astrakhan Institute of Fisheries was founded in 1930. It was planned and built as a single and separate complex. In 1994 it was renamed into Astrakhan State Technical University. Several generations of students studied within the University, the graduates of the University have been working for a long time already, while the undergraduates are preparing for their finals.

A lovely academic town of the University is situated on a beautiful parkland. The University campus covers a large territory. The University campus occupies 7 teaching buildings with up-to-date lecture halls, well-equipped laboratories, computing centers, libraries rich in books. Various conferences and meetings are held in the Assembly Hall situated in the main building. Here you can also find Director’s, Deans’ and other offices.

The University possesses 8 halls for residence or dormitories, on the territory of it you can see cafes, shops, sport centre (it was built in 1983) with swimming-pool, halls for tennis, basketball, etc.

There are 7 Institutes at our University. There is a Preparatory faculty and a department of correspondence as well. A lot of students, including foreign ones, are trained in different specialities at our University.

Director (or Rector as it is called in Russia) is at the head of the University, while the work of the Institutes is headed by Deans. The teaching staff of special and academic departments consists of very experienced lectures and assistants (820 members), capable of giving their knowledge and experience to students. Most of them are Masters and Doctors of science.

The full-time students of the University have a four- or five-year course of studies, while the extra-mural students study for 6 years.

The academic year is divided into two terms, each term ends with the winter and summer exams sessions. During the term students have to attend lectures, seminars and practicals according to the time-table. They also make reports, do laboratories and graphical works according to the basic programme. The first year students study such traditional disciplines as mathematics, chemistry, physics, history, foreign languages, etc. In the third year students begin to study in depth the subjects connected with their future speciality. The attendance of lectures and seminars is obligatory, but students mat attend some optional courses as well. At the end of each term undergraduates get prepared for the credit tests and midterm examinations. Those who fail in an exam are allowed to take a second attempt.

The third-and-fourth-year students submit course papers on some special subjects. Graduates have to take final exams and defend their diploma projects worked out with the help of their supervisors. On graduating from the University students are awarded special certificates- diplomas; some of them who carry on research work can become postgraduates of our University.

Young people mainly choose our University because it provides everything to train qualified specialists: lectures in accordance with the latest theoretical and practical data, psychological seminars and trainings; practical experience on boards the largest ships. Those graduates who receive a Bachelor’s degree are welcome to take a Master’s one.