Science and technics

The Bologna process was a reason for a few adjustments made to the education systems of many countries. However, some European countries have succeeded in implementing the right to determine their own approach to the process of training future specialists, and Germany was not an exception. Carsten Drebenstedt, Director of Freiberg University of Mining and Technology, told “Forpost” about some specific features of school and university education in the country as well as about the consequences of switching to the two-level qualifications.

Copper is a metal, which first became known to mankind for several millennia BC. In nature, it is usually found in the form of nuggets or in the mineral composition. Copper colour range varies from grayish brown to goldish with pinky shade. Some other reddish shades are also possible.

Four German students became the participants of the International Summer School ”Geological tour of Crimea” organized by St. Petersburg Mining University.

Baryte is a mineral that belongs to sulphates, it has a granular structure and perfect cleavage. From Greek the mineral’s name is usually translated as “heavy”, and that is hardly surprising – this stone’s relative weight can be easily felt if one would take it into the hand.

Agate is a semitransparent silicon oxide, which has been known to humanity for over 6,000 years. The mineral itself is easily distinguishable from other stones, as is has specific embedded markings as well as it offers incredibly rich colour palette. Naturally there are more than 150 different variations of this stone: ocellar agate (resembles an eye in appearance), moss agate (its markings look similar to moss in its form), fortification agate (multicoloured pattern looks like the old castle ruins), landscape agate (nature images), magical or black agate as well as many others.

Amethyst is a precious kind of quartz deeply-saturated purple color. The mineral got its name from Ancient Greek language meaning “not drunk”.

Orica is the world’s largest provider of commercial explosives and innovative blasting systems to the mining, quarrying, oil and gas and construction markets, a leading supplier of sodium cyanide for gold extraction, and a specialist provider of ground support services in mining and tunnelling.

Lanzhou Technological University’s students have started their education in the summer school of the Mining University. As a part of educational programme, students from China will attend a course of lectures. They will also participate in workshop sessions and practical studies. The whole range of courses has a common topic «Innovations and development outlook in mining machinery manufacturing and electrical engineering».

It is essential to recreate specialist’s degree programmes at the universities so as to prepare and train new engineers. Massive improvements in the quality of education are required so that new graduates would be able to master complex engineering challenges, if we want to develop main sectors of our local economy and want to move from standardized technologies to newer innovative and technology-intensive ones.

Lebanese students went to St. Petersburg to get acquainted with Russian culture with no need for a break from studies. Summer school of St. Petersburg Mining University is the host party for the students here. According to the University, it is also the very first time they organize a summer school.