On April 3, about two thousand pupils, many accompanied by their parents, have visited the Open Day of MEPhI, naturally confirming the growing interest of youth to the leader of the domestic higher school, which adequately represents Russia in the world rankings.
Part of those who came to the event was current pupils of eighth-tenth grades and was particularly interested in the peculiarities of pre-University training. In this case they visited demonstration of lyceums which comprise the Pre-university of MEPhI.
The main event was held in the Assembly hall, where, thanks to the lecturers, it was possible to make an excursion into the history of MEPhI, to listen to leading experts, as well as get information about the admission campaign-2016.
The welcoming speech to the guests was made by the Vice-rector on educational-methodical affairs Elena Vesna. Today MEPhI is undergoing massive restructuring: faculties will be replaced by strategic academic units – institutes. They are formed for major research projects, and they will be a base for the preparation of highly qualified specialists for scientific organizations and high-tech industries. Also this year the University gives a student the opportunity to choose educational path himself. “Now we can declare that will prepare people who will be able to solve the problem of world level”, said the Vice-rector, reminding that MEPhI, as a leader of Russian engineering education, is the only Russian University included in the top-100 of subject sections of two major international rankings – THE and QS.
Pupils and parents carefully listened to the representatives of the Institutions, who told applicants who they can become, enrolling in MEPhI: Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology, Institute of Laser and Plasma Technologies, Institute of Biomedicine, Institute of Nanostructured Electronics, Institute of Intelligent Cybernetic Systems, Institute of International Relations, Institute of Business Informatics and Control of Complex Systems.
As a rule MEPhI applicant is an excellent student and the winner of various Olympiads and creative competitions. After the official presentation of all the Institutions, there was the awarding of winners of traditional competitions: the Olympiad “Rosatom” and the Engineering Olympiad among pupils. Winners are given the opportunity to gain a significant advantage applying to university.
This year there are many changes in the admission rules, which were announced by the responsible secretary of the Admission Commission V.I Skrytny. Vladimir Ilyich spoke on the minimum points of the state exam, organization of admission competition, the need of applicants to fill the so-called “consent to enrollment” – now it’s obligatory to be enrolled in the tuition-free education (even if the original document about education is in the University), mandatory medical commissions for a number of professions. Also he remembered that individual students' achievements are taken into account during enrollment in MEPhI.
Due to the fact that our University participates in the 5-100 Project, students are trained and work in leading world centers and laboratories. Applicants were able to hear addressing words from the MEPhI alumni who now are working abroad. For this purpose there was held a teleconference with leading research laboratories worldwide, including CERN (Switzerland), Bergen University College (Norway), ITER Garching (Germany), Aix Marseille University (France), Frascati National laboratory of National Institute of Nuclear Physics (Italy), etc.
Students of MEPhI have also prepared programme for guests of the University. In the library the United Council of Students showed that student life is not only colloquia, seminars and lectures, but also student fellowship, volunteering, Service of Good Deeds, construction teams and many more. Students enthusiastically talked about their projects and achievements, played board games and made memorable photos.
Of course great interest among schoolchildren was aroused by excursions to the research laboratories, interesting experiments in physics and chemistry and live communication with representatives of University science.
The positive atmosphere was created by the performance of vocal studio “Quanto di Stella”. A student team presented the popular youth repertoire and various student songs.
And what do applicants think about admission to our University?
Vladimir Izotov (Moscow): “MEPhI attracts me by a huge knowledge base. Plus there's a large field for scientific activity. I think it is perfect for those who want to connect their life with science”.
Daria Shabetnik (Kaliningrad): “I want to enter exactly this University, because it’s the only place which has specialties that interest me. Mainly, they relate to nuclear physics. In MEPhI this subject is fundamentally stronger”.
Kyril Yakushev (Moscow): “I want to study at MEPhI, as it needs no recommendations. I believe I could get a qualitative modern education here. It is important for me to become a competitive specialist”.
Maria Kuznetsova (Podolsk): “First of all, my parents studied at this University, and I decided to continue this tradition. Secondly, I'm going to pass physics, besides I am attracted to medicine. I don't think I'll regret if I enter the Department № 35 of MEPhI”.
