Imperial College London
United Kingdom
Imperial College London (officially The Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine) is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in business, engineering, medicine and science. Formerly a constituent college of the federal University of London, Imperial became fully independent in 2007, the 100th anniversary of its founding.
Imperial College Men’s first Table Tennis Team’s success has gone from strength to strength over the last two years. They were promoted into the BUCS (UK national governing body for higher education sport) Premier South League at the end of the 2009/10 season which was a significant achievement for a relatively small university club. The team then followed this up not only by maintaining their place in the top flight but going on to win the league in 2010/2011.
Imperial College Men’s Table tennis first team also made it through to the 2011 BUCS Championships semi-finals in Sheffield. Eventually beaten by the overall Champions Nottingham, the team learned a great deal from their first national championships.
The team are now eagerly anticipating their debut appearance in the 2011 EUSA Table Tennis Championships and competing against the best Universities from across Europe.
University of Nottingham
United Kingdom
The University of Nottingham is a research university based in Nottingham, United Kingdom, with further campuses in Ningbo, China and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. With more than 49,000 applications for 5,500 places in 2011, Nottingham is the third most popular university in the UK. The University of Nottingham traces its origins to the founding of an adult education school in 1798, and the University Extension Lectures inaugurated by the University of Cambridge in 1873 – the first of their kind in the country.
The table tennis men’s 1st team came 2nd in the premiere division of the BUCS narrowly missing out on 1st place after beating the eventual winners 17-0 at home. The team then qualified for the BUCS championships winning 9-3 in the final. The team has also qualified for the European Universities Championships in Portugal. The team is very dedicated and trains twice a week with the help of a former English champion who comes down to coach the team. The team has prep talks before each game and analysis after games and training.
King’s College London
United Kingdom
King's College London was founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington (then Prime Minister) in 1829 as a university college in the tradition of the Church of England. It now welcomes staff and students of all faiths and beliefs.
King's professors played a major part in nineteenth-century science, and in extending higher education to women, working men and through evening classes.
The College has grown and developed through mergers with several institutions who have their own distinguished histories. These include the United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals; Chelsea College, Queen Elizabeth College, and the Institute of Psychiatry.
This season has been one of the most successful to date for the KCL Table Tennis club. The Men’s 1st team have had an exceptional season winning every single game in their league, beating opponents from rival institutions from Brighton, Brunel, Kent but most importantly for us, LSE and UCL, finishing comfortably top and thus progressing through to the Premier Play Offs against Cardiff.
The boys also had some great results in the Championship Knockouts that lead to their appearance at the National Championships in Sheffield for the Semi Final and Final. In the first round, they drew Cambridge, and we nudged past them 9-8, to meet Warwick in the next round. This match was a little more one sided as we smashed them 16-1. This meant that the team would be travelling up to Sheffield for the very first time in the club’s history – they were now one of the top four table tennis teams in the country, and the only one not boasting an international representative. The semi final was a tense affair but King’s just about pipped Edinburgh 9-7 to guarantee at least a silver medal.
The final against Nottingham was tough but Nottingham’s outstanding players shone and raced to a 5-1 lead, which almost guaranteed victory. Despite the best efforts of our team, taking some of the remaining singles matches literally down to the wire, Nottingham were too strong, and our players a little fatigued so the final result was 9-3 to Nottingham.”
University of Cambridge
United Kingdom
The University of Cambridge is the second oldest university in the UK and was founded in 1209 by scholars from Oxford University. It is well known to have a strong academic reputation, particularly in the sciences. The University sent a team to the EUSA championships in Kazan, Russia in 2010.
Academically Cambridge ranks as one of the top universities in the world: first in the world in both the 2010 and 2011QS World University Rankings, sixth in the world in the 2010–2011 Times Higher Education World University Rankings, and fifth in the world (and first in Europe) in the 2010 Academic Ranking of World Universities. Cambridge regularly contends with Oxford for first place in UK league tables. In the most recently published ranking of UK universities, published by The Guardian newspaper, Cambridge was ranked first.
Graduates of the University have won a total of 61 Nobel Prizes, the most of any university in the world.[10] Affiliates of the University have won a total of 88 Nobel Prizes as of 4 October 2010, the second most of any academic institution (after Columbia University) - the most recent one being Robert G. Edwards for the prize in physiology or medicine.
Academic staff of the University won a total of 52 Nobel Prizes, second most of any academic institution (after Columbia University). In 2009, the marketing consultancy World Brand Lab rated Cambridge University as the 50th most influential brand in the world, and the 4th most influential university brand, behind only Harvard, MIT and Stanford University, while in 2011, the Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings ranked Cambridge as the 3rd most reputable university in the world, after Harvard and MIT.
University of Kent
United Kingdom
A university in the ancient city of Canterbury was first considered in 1947, when an anticipated growth in student numbers led several localities to seek the creation of a new university, including Kent. However, the plans came to nothing.
A decade later both population growth and greater demand for university places led to new considerations. In 1959 Kent County Council explored the possibilities of a university through its Education Committee, formally accepting the proposal unanimously on 24 February 1960. Two months later the Education Committee agreed to seek a site at or near Canterbury, given the historical associations of the city, subject to the support of Canterbury City Council. By 1962 a site was found at Beverley Farm, straddling the then boundary between the City of Canterbury and the administrative county of Kent. The University was granted its Royal Charter on 4 January 1965 and the first students arrived in the October of that year. On 30 March 1966 Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent was formally installed as the first Chancellor.
The university's original name, chosen in 1962, was the University of Kent at Canterbury, reflecting the fact that the campus straddled the boundary between the county borough of Canterbury and Kent County Council. At the time it was the normal practice for universities to be named after the town or city whose boundaries they were in, with both "University of Kent" and "University of Canterbury" initially proposed. The name adopted reflected the support of both the city and county authorities, as well as the existence of the University of Canterbury in New Zealand, which officially opposed the use of a name too similar to its own. The abbreviation UKC became a popular abbreviation for the university. Part of the original reasoning for the name disappeared when local government reforms in the 1970s resulted in the Canterbury campus falling entirely within the City of Canterbury, which no longer has county borough status, and Kent County Council.
University of Geneva
Switzerland
The University of Geneva (Université de Genève) is a public research university located in Geneva, Switzerland.
It was founded in 1559 by John Calvin as a theological seminary and law school. It remained focused on theology until the 17th century, when it became a center for Enlightenment scholarship. In 1873 it dropped its religious affiliations and became officially secular. Today, the university is the second-largest university in Switzerland. It has programs in various fields but is particularly acknowledged for its academic and research programs in international relations (with Geneva being hostess to a dense agglomeration of international organizations), law, astrophysics, astronomy, genetics (with a record of prominent contributions to the fields of planetary science and genetics) and theology.
Classes are taught mainly in French. The university holds and actively pursues teaching, research, and community service as its primary objectives. It was ranked number one generalist university in continental Europe, thirty-second world wide amongst the "Top 100 Global Universities" by Newsweek in 2006 and 81-83rd worldwide by the Global University Ranking in 2009. The university is a member of the League of European Research Universities.1
In 2009, the University of Geneva celebrated the 450th anniversary of its founding through a wide range of public events.
University of Bordeaux
France
University of Bordeaux (L'Université de Bordeaux) is an association of higher education institutions in and around Bordeaux, France. Its current incarnation was established 21 March 2007. The group is the largest system of higher education schools in southwestern France. It is part of the Academy of Bordeaux.
There are seven founding members to the Université and currently one associate member.[2] Each of the eight institution has different areas of study from each other as well. The seven (7) founding members of the group are composed of four universities (which are numbered 1-4) and three technical schools. The four universities are (order number follows name): the University of Bordeaux (#1), Victor Segalen University (#2), Michel de Montaigne University (#3) and Montesquieu University (#4). The three founding technical schools are: Bordeaux Polytechnic Institute (IPB), Bordeaux National School for Agriculture Engineering (ENITAB), and the Bordeaux Political Studies Institute.
The group is also associated with UPPA: the University of Pau and Pays de l'Adour, which is a grouping of schools in the areas around Pau and the Adour River.
The original Université de Bordeaux was established by the papal bull of Pope Eugene IV on 7 June 1441. The initiative for the creation of the university is attributed to Archbishop Pey Berland. It was originally composed of four faculties: arts, medicine, law, and theology. The law faculty later split into faculties of civil law and canon law.
This university was disestablished in 1793, and then was re-founded on 10 July 1896.
Following May 1968, the university was split into three universities: Bordeaux 1, Bordeaux 2, and Bordeaux 3. In 1995, Bordeaux 4 split off from Bordeaux I.
Université de Aix-En-Provence, Marseille
France
The three Universities of Aix-Marseille, situated in Aix-en-Provence and Marseille for six centuries, are the successors to the original establishments created in the region during the 19th century. Combined, they welcome over 70,000 students per year, 10% of whom are foreign students.
The universities try not to compete for students, rather, they offer expertise in different domains. Arts and Social Sciences are pursued at the Université de Provence Aix-Marseille I; Health, Sport and Economics at the Université de la Méditerranée Aix-Marseille II; Law, Political Sciences, Applied Economics and Business Management at the Université Paul Cézanne Aix-Marseille III. The Exact Sciences, notably Mathematics, Physics, Astrophysics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Environmental Studies and Engineering, are spread throughout the three Universities.
In 2011, efforts were under way to merge the three universities into one system.
University of Western Brittany
France
Multidisciplinary, University of Western Brittany provides an excellent higher education in its Faculty of Science and Technical, Medical, Dentistry, Humanities and Social Sciences, of Law, Economics and Management, Sport and Physical Education.
Along with these formations "classic", it offers professionalization training in relation to the economic context the region.
Today, more than 20,000 students are working in 21 areas located on six sites: Brest, Quimper, Morlaix, St. Brieuc, Vannes, Rennes.
The opening of the sea has to UBO and all its stakeholders.This peak position is an additional asset for its future.
UBO is a welcoming place for emancipation and fulfillment to through its sports and cultural practices. The university opens also abroad through exchange programs European research and cooperation throughout the world.
University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne
France
Pantheon-Sorbonne University or Paris 1 is a university in Paris, France. With eight hundred years of excellence to build on, the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, a descendant of the Sorbonne and the Faculty of Law and Economics of Paris, is one of the largest universities in France today.
Some forty thousand students are enrolled in 14 teaching and research departments (Unités de Formation et de Recherche) and 5 Institutes, which offer top-level degree courses in law, political science, economics, management and the humanities.
The university is located in the heart of the Latin Quarter, in the largest campus in the world, and occupies part of the Sorbonne and other prestigious French university buildings. It aims to be a major pole of research and learning in Europe in the 21st century. In 2011, it was ranked among the Top 100 Universities by Reputation in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
It is registered as University of Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne (Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne in French) at the Rectorate of Paris. Historically, it was part of the University of Paris, which was subsequently split into several universities. The 1968 Cultural Revolution, commonly known as the French May, resulted in the division of the world's second oldest academic institution, the University of Paris, into thirteen autonomous universities.
University of Cyprus
Cyprus
The University of Cyprus was established in 1989 and admitted its first students in 1992. It was founded in response to the growing intellectual needs of the Cypriot people, and is well placed to fulfill the numerous aspirations of the country.
The University is a vigorous community of scholars engaged in the generation and diffusion of knowledge. Despite its brief history, the University of Cyprus has earned the respect of the international academic community and the appreciation of Cypriot society.
The University of Cyprus aims to become a leading educational and research institution that will distinguish itself internationally through the promotion of scholarship. It is already recognized as a centre of excellence in the Mediterranean region.
The main objectives of the University are twofold: the promotion of scholarship and education through teaching and research, and the enhancement of the cultural, social and economic development of Cyprus.
The opinion that sports are an integral element of education was born in Greece. Over the years this opinion, was transferred to the rest of the world and was established in many educational systems of foreign countries. The University of Cyprus attended for its reintroduction, creating a high level Athletic Centre that has the ability of achieving:
- The culture, among University Members of a powerful wish for sports and exercising.
- The implementation of the Athletic Program of the University of Cyprus that it includes:, Internal Championships, Competitive Sports , Recreational Sports, Events, Sports and Contribution to the Community .
- The organization of local and international University Championships and tournaments.
- A Training Centre for team and individual sports preparation.
- The ability of hosting and organizing local and international congresses, seminars and athletic exhibitions.
- The attendance of foreign Athletic Teams
- The growth of a Sports program for all that would serve the Academic Community and the region.
Our female Basketball team has won the national Basketball Championship during 2011 and ranked 6th during the previous European Universities Basketball Championship in Poland.
Wroclaw University of Economics
Poland
The Wroclaw University of Economics commenced its activities in 1947 as a private, one-faculty College of Commercial Education.
The University has four faculties: Economic Sciences, Management, Computer Science and Finance, Engineering and Economics and Regional Economy and Tourism, the latter located in Jelenia Góra.
Altogether it employs 784 academic teachers including 142 professors. There is strong interest in economic studies, in the current academic year the University has about 17,000 students, and so far it has produced over 70,000 graduates.
The University is authorized to grant degrees, among them PhD and doctor habilitatus of economic science, organisation and management.
The University is organized into 66 departments, and the didactic process is supported by such units as the Library, the Department of Foreign Languages , the Department of Sports and Physical Education, and the Publishing House.
The ECU in the table tennis our universities team will participate for the second time, was the first Latina in Italy in 2008 where we were represented by a team of men. This time we will be represented by a female team of Polish University Champions 2011 in the store, Anna Janta-Lipinska, Anna Zak, Anna Janas, Renata Sobon. Team is coached by Tomasz Dabrowski.
Rzeszow University of Techology
Poland
Rzeszow University of Techology has already taken part in European Universities Table Tennis Championship three times. In 2009 and 2010 the University's students won 8 medals in total (2 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze ones). This year's team consists of Pawel Chmiel, Piotr Chmiel and Damian Wojdyla. The first two players are members of AZS Politechnika's top-tier Polish Table Tennis Extra League, while Wojdyla plays in the First League.
Ignacy Lukasiewicz Rzeszow University of Technology is a state-funded academic university that makes up a part of the Polish national education and science system. Rzeszow University of Technology offers its students a wide variety of programs and courses.
It also undertakes research and scientific projects in the following specialized fields of the applied sciences: engineering, mathematics, physics, economics, as well as the chemical and biological sciences.Through its multilateral co-operation with entrepreneurial and industrial entities, the University carefully constructs and tailors its academic programs to offer students and graduates the most rewarding hands-on experience, benefitting the development of their professional careers on both a local and national level.
The University’s approach to learning provides students with an education grounded in the common values of respect for their community, their state and the principles of human rights. It teaches them the value of patriotism coupled with tolerance and the exercise of due diligence in carrying out their student responsibilities. In its activities, the University cultivates and realizes the humanistic and intellectual ideals advocated and followed by its patron – Ignacy Łukasiewicz.
Józef Rusiecki Olsztyn University
Poland
Józef Rusiecki Olsztyn University College was founded in 1997. Currently there are studying approximately 5,000 students in four faculties: Physiotherapy, Pedagogy, Physical Education, and Public Health. University AZS Club was founded in 2002. Currently around 100 athletes trening various sports are taking part in compatitions.
Students representing the OSW in table tennis are studying physical education. Karol Szarmach, Bartosz Szarmach and Szymon Malicki represent the Club MLKS Ostródzianka Condohotels Morliny Ostróda. Patryk Chojnowski represent the LKS Pogoń Lębork.
This year, Karol Szarmach together with Bartosz Szarmach and Szymon Malicki as a team were clasified on the 5th place in the Super League.
Karol with Bartosz Szarmach won a bronze medal in doubles The Polish Senior Championships. At the same championships Szymon Malicki and Patryk Chojnowski in singles were clasified on the 5-8 place.
At present, Karol Szarmach and Patryk Chojnowski were appointed to the Polish team.
University of Warsaw
Poland
The University of Warsaw (Uniwersytet Warszawski) is the largest university in Poland and one of the most prestigious, ranked as best Polish university in 2010 and 2011. Positioned by Times Higher Education Supplement as the second-best Polish university among the world's top 500 in 2006.
The Royal University of Warsaw was established in 1816, when the partitions of Poland separated Warsaw from the oldest and most influential Polish academic center, in Kraków. The first to be established in Congress Poland were the Law School and the Medical School. In 1816 Tsar Alexander I permitted the Polish authorities to create a university, comprising five departments: Law and Administration, Medicine, Philosophy, Theology, and Art and Humanities.
The main campus of the University of Warsaw is in downtown Warsaw, in Krakowskie Przedmieście. It comprises several historic palaces, most of which had been nationalized in the 19th century.
Dynamic political, social, and economic changes accompanying Poland's democratisation have brought the University new opportunities and challenges. In the beginning of 21st century, University of Warsaw is moving forward with a plan to modernise its structure, organisation and curricula in an effort to prepare its faculties, students and graduates to function freely in the international community.
Today the University of Warsaw employs over 6,200 people, including 3,240 academic teacher and educates almost 53,700 undergraduate and graduate students. Each year over 20,000 young people enroll as students at the University of Warsaw. Their interest in studying at University of Warsaw results above all from the University's prestige, something University of Warsaw has earned through the high educational level it offers and the research work.
University Duisburg-Essen
German
The University Duisburg-Essen (German: Universität Duisburg-Essen) is a public university in Duisburg and Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany and a member of the new founded University Alliance Metropolis Ruhr. It was founded on January 1, 2003 as a merger of the Gerhard Mercator University of Duisburg and the University of Essen, both of which were established in 1972. Until 1994 the name of the Gerhard Mercator University was Comprehensive University of Duisburg.
With its 12 departments and more than 30 thousand students, the University Duisburg-Essen ranks among the 10 largest German universities. Many international students study at the University Duisburg-Essen and give the cities of Duisburg and Essen an international atmosphere. 1
After a decision of the federal state government in 1960 the teacher training college of Kettwig was settled to Duisburg and was named Pedagogical University Ruhr. In 1972 the Pedagogical University Ruhr and the Public School of Engineering, which was renamed in 1971 to University of applied sciences Duisburg.
Other schools were also relocated to Duisburg. The University of Duisburg was then called Comprehensive University of Duisburg. In 1994 the university was renamed to "Gerhard-Mercator-University".
In 2003 the Gerhard-Mercator-University and the University of Essen merged to the University Duisburg-Essen.
University of Stuttgart
German
The Universität Stuttgart lies right in the centre of the largest high-tech region of Europe. We are surrounded by a number of renown research facilities and have such global players as Daimler or IBM as our neighbours. We were founded in 1829 and over the years this technical institution has developed to the research intensive university that it is today. Our main emphasis is on engineering and the natural sciences. However, combining these areas with the humanities and the social sciences adds something special to our profile.
Indicators of our excellent status are the two projects that were successful in the recent “Excellence Initiative” sponsored by both the Federal and the State governments. One project is the Cluster of Excellence “Simulation Technology” and the other, the Graduate School “Advanced Manufacturing Engineering”. We are also involved in a number of Collaborative Research Centres and Research Training Groups. Our research activities are concentrated around eight interdisciplinary areas, “Modelling and Simulation Technology”, “New Materials”, “Complex Systems and Communication”, “Concepts of Technology and Technology Evaluation”, “Energy and the Environment”, “Mobility”, “Integrated Product Design and Production Organisation” as well as “Building and Housing”. We are going to strengthen our research through interdisciplinary networks of cooperation in order to continue to expand our cutting-edge position in these fields. We are going to increase our international presence and concentrate on themes that are of central importance to our future. Behind this lies the vision of undertaking research on the whole life-cycle of a product. This involves not only the technical engineering implementation but also the evaluation of the sustainability of the technical innovations.
We have become one of the most popular education institutions world-wide for the subjects we offer. Around 20,000 students are enrolled in the courses offered by the 150 institutes in the 10 different faculties. We offer some 80 degree programs. We also have seven international MSc-degree programs that are taught entirely in English. In addition, we offer numerous activities that are tailor-made for our international partners.
Our International Centre offers a “Welcoming Service” for international freshman as well as an “Orientation Week” at the beginning of each semester. New students are picked up on arrival and taken to their accommodation, they are accompanied when they go to the German authorities and are shown around the campus and the city of Stuttgart. They are also given information on excursions and other social activities. The International Centre also offers intensive German language courses.
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
German
The University of Karlsruhe was founded as Polytechnische Schule, a polytechnical school, on 7 October 1825. It was modeled upon the École polytechnique in Paris. In 1865, Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden (German: Friedrich) raised the school to the status of a Hochschule, an institution of higher education. Since 1902 the university has also been known as the Fridericiana in his honour.
The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) is a German academic research and education institution resulting from a merger of the university (Universität Karlsruhe (TH)) and the research center (Forschungszentrum Karlsruhe) of the city of Karlsruhe. The university, also known as Fridericiana, was founded in 1825. In 2009, it merged with the former national nuclear research center founded in 1956 as the Kernforschungszentrum Karlsruhe (KfK). One of nine German Excellence Universities, the KIT is one of the leading universities in science and engineering in Europe, ranking 6th overall in terms of scientific impact.
Russian State University for the Humanities
Russia
Russian State University for the Humanities (RSUH) is a higher education institution with rich traditions and many years of experience in both educational and scholarly work. It was founded in 1991 on the basis of the Moscow State Institute for History and Archives, as a new innovative educational project. It would have been impossible to found the RSUH without the solid foundation laid by several generations of researchers and educators but the recognized need to transform the university into a very different educational institution capable of meeting today’s challenges and of assimilating current educational practices was clear at that time.
Nowadays university combines leading research, excellence in teaching and studies, internationality and interdisciplinary cooperation. Its foundation saw new methods of teaching and many new approaches to research in the humanities developed through fusing the best achievements of both Russian and foreign scholarship, and also through the wide use of information technologies in education. This allows to classify RSUH as a research university. It is not just a University in the traditional sense, but an educational network with many branches and offices in various regions of Russia.
Also in RSUH much attention is given to sports activities, in particular to table tennis. At 2011 man's national team of RSUH is the silver prize-winner of the Russian Championship among students, the winner of the Cup of Russia, the Champion of Moscow among Moscow universities. In 2010 in the European Championship in Kazan man's national team of RSUH has taken the fourth place. Female national team of RSUH in 2010 became the Champion of Europe in Kazan, but unfortunately this year it can't come on the EUC. Sportsmen Gladyshev Michael and Merzlikin Taras have taken the first and the second places accordingly in the single category.
Today, Russia is developing new educational standards and becomes integrated into the world educational space. RSUH is at the forefront of this process.
Kazan Federal University
Russia
Kazan (Volga Region) Federal University was founded on the basis of an executive order signed by Dmitry Medvedev on October 21, 2009. The university's first rector is Ilshat Rafkatovich Gafurov, formerly the mayor of Elabuga.
The federal university project was realized in early 2010 on the basis of Kazan State University, with the accession of the Tatar State University of Humanities and Education (TGGPU) and the Kazan State Financial and Economic University (KGFEI). Early plans had discussed the possibility of the Kazan State Architectural University (KGASU) acceding as well.
Kazan State University is one of leaders in the area of international cooperation having well-established cooperation with programs and sponsors like DAAD, Humboldt, Volkswagen and Adenauer foundations (Germany), the Tacis Bureau and INTAS programs (European Union), the US State Department, USIA, Fulbright, the Open Society Institute, CDRF, Ford, Carnegie, Kennan and other foundations and organizations. It enjoys support from the funding bodies of Britain, Spain, Belgium, Sweden, Japan, India, Taiwan and other countries.
The University is preparing for the full introduction of the European ‘Bologna’ system, with its unified credit transfer system, to facilitate student-exchange and to establish mutual degree recognition. By developing new course modules it seeks to comply with international standards of transferability. Annually KSU receives over 200 students from all continents on both full-time majors and short-term training or research programs with even higher potential for this in the coming years. KSU participates in international associations and has partner agreements with 50 institutions in 20 countries from FU Berlin, Germany, to UNAM, Mexico, from the Sorbonne, France, to Hunan, China, and from Granada, Spain, to Kanazawa, Japan. KSU has had especially exciting results from its comprehensive collaboration with universities like Giessen University in Germany and Leuven Catholic University in Belgium.
Moscow State University of Railway Engineering
Russia
Moscow State University of Railway Engineering is the leading and largest higher education institution in the field of railway transport in Russia with more than 17,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students. Every year about 25,000 top managers and specialists take professional development courses at Moscow State University of Railway Engineering.
The growth of the railway network of Russia in the second half of XIX century demanded more training of Railway Engineers. The only country in the Institute of Railway Engineers in St. Petersburg could not fully solve the problem. Shortage of engineers and railroad workers especially sensed the beginning of construction of Great Siberian Way. Therefore, the Ministry of Railways has made to the government proposal to create another institution of higher education, which would prepare engineers for the needs of the department.
Many cities claimed that institution - Kiev, Kazan, Voronezh, Orel and Saratov. But preference was given to Moscow, since the capital has excellent teaching staff, and it was a decisive condition.
University of Porto
Portugal
The University of Porto (Universidade do Porto) is a Portuguese public university located in Porto, and founded 22 March 1911. It is the largest Portuguese university by number of enrolled students and has one of the most noted research outputs in Portugal. It was considered one of the 100 best Universities of Europe, in 2010.
The university results, essentially, from two higher education institutions created during the 19th century in Porto: the Politechnical Academy (Academia Politécnica) and the Medical-Surgical School (Escola Médico-Cirúrgica). After the 1910 revolution in Portugal, starting the First Republic, the Universities of Lisbon and Porto were created.
The inauguration of the University of Porto was on July 16, 1911, and as first Reitor (rector), the mathematician Gomes Teixeira was chosen. At this time, the university became economically and scientifically independent, and teaching autonomy was officially recognised. Currently, there are 14 faculties and a postgraduate business school at the university.
The University of Porto is deeply committed to the development of its international relations, taking part in several university networks and cooperation groups — not only within Europe but also extending to the southern hemisphere countries of Portuguese language. The increasing numbers of students taking part in mobility programs, the exchange of lecturers and researchers, the participation in international R&D projects and the involvement in cooperative projects with Brazil and several African countries are a reflection of the importance the University gives to its international orientation. This is why, every year, a growing number of students and scientists from all over the world choose the University of Porto as their preferred teaching and research institution. Just in 2007, around 2.000 foreign students completed their higher education in the University of Porto.
Finally, one should mention the active role the University has played in international actions concerning the assessment and funding of higher education institutions, both fundamental to the development of Portuguese models in these areas.
University of Beira Interior
Portugal
The University of Beira Interior (Universidade da Beira Interior or UBI for short) is a public university located in the city of Covilhã, Portugal. It was created in 1979, and has about 5,200 students distributed across a multiplicity of graduation courses, awarding all academic degrees in fields ranging from medicine and biomedical sciences to aeronautical engineering to mathematics. The university is named after the historical Beira region, meaning Beira Interior the most interior area of Beira, mainly composed by the district of Viseu, district of Guarda and the district of Castelo Branco, in today's Centro region.
In August 1973, following a major change in the national higher education system, the government established a polytechnical institution in Covilhã, the Polytechnic Institute of Covilhã (IPC - Instituto Politécnico da Covilhã), which was the first higher education institution in the city. Over the years, the IPC facilities, as well as the enrolment and staff, never ceased to grow. This growth and the region's needs, led the IPC to a remarkable level of achievements that granted it, in 1979, to be promoted, by the Portuguese Ministry of Education, to a higher institutional level, university institute. Seven years later, in 1986, the University Institute of Beira Interior was granted full university status and renamed University of Beira Interior (Universidade da Beira Interior).
University of Coimbra
Portugal
The University of Coimbra (UC) (Universidade de Coimbra) is a Portuguese public university in Coimbra, Portugal. Established in 1290, it is one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in Europe and the world, the oldest university of Portugal, and one of its largest higher education and research institutions. It is organized into eight different faculties according to a wide range of fields, granting academic bachelor's, master's and doctorate degrees in arts, engineerings, humanities, mathematics, natural sciences, social sciences, sports and technologies. It is a founding member of the Coimbra Group, a group of leading European research universities, whose inaugural meeting it hosted. The University of Coimbra has approximately 20,000 students, and hosts one of the largest communities of international students in Portugal, being the most cosmopolitan Portuguese university.
Initial steps towards some convergence of European higher education systems were taken with the signature of the Sorbonne declaration by the Ministers in charge of higher education in France, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany, in 1998, and later, in 1999, with the signature of the Bologna declaration. The Bologna process, aimed at creating a European Higher Education Area by implementing a comparable degree structure, common quality assurance standards and by promoting the mobility of students and faculty members, was a major revolution in Europe's higher education. Globalization, technological change and increased international competition for scarce high-skilled labor highlighted the importance of making European higher education institutions attractive and competitive worldwide. A more integrated European Higher Education Market enhanced competition between European universities—a necessary condition for producing leading-edge innovations and for catching up with the US economy. In Portugal, the University of Coimbra decided to defer the adoption of the new Bologna Process model from 2006 to 2007/2008 (with exceptions authorized for a few programs on which a national consensus for change had been reached among institutions) in order to make the transition maintaining the highest standards of quality and academic integrity. Only in the 2008/2009 school year did the entire university fully adopt the new programs within its 8 faculties.
University of Minho
Portugal
The University of Minho, founded in 1973, is one of the then named "New Universities" that, at that time, deeply changed the landscape of higher education in Portugal.
Located in the region of Minho, known for its significant economic activity and by the youth of its population, the University of Minho has played the role of development agent in the region.
Sport Service and sport program in University of Minho is recognised by Sports and Academic Authorities, at national and international level, by the excellence of the facilities, skilled and experienced staff, quality of service. Sport program is planned for the Academic community and is fully orientated to the needs and expectations of the Academic community: Students, Staff and Professors. In the Academic Year of 2009/2010, 9422 sports cards have been issued, representing 42% of the Academic community with a regular practise of sport in University of Minho sport facilities.
Minho University sports Service has been created in 1995, and since that, a large experience in organising national and international sport events has been developed: 1998 World University Handball Championship, 2004 European University Volleyball Championship, 1997 and 2002 final stage of Portuguese University Championships, Qualifying Tournament for the World IHF Handball Championship’04, 2006 European University Basketball Championship, 2008 World University Badminton Championship and the 2009 European University Taekwondo Championship. The 2012 World University Chess, Futsal Championship’s and Wold University Handball Championship will be hosted by University of Minho in Guimarães and Braga.
The University of Minho Student Union (AAUM) was founded in 1977, following University of Minho students’ demands and needs. It is known as being managed by students for students.
AAUM was the second Portuguese association to receive the government title of Institution of Public Utility. Nowadays, it is one of the biggest student unions in the country.
AAUM has led the Portuguese University Sport national ranking many years with several national titles and with University of Minho students having taken part in FISU, EUSA and other international events.
University of Madeira
Portugal
The University of Madeira was born in September of 1988. The first Regulatory Commission wanted to compose a new “cultural-scientific project” facing the “exhaustion of the conventional model of University”. During this period the University of Madeira’s Statutes were conceived but, although approved, they were not homologated thus extending this phase of installation of the University.
The Students Union, founded in 1991, is the students’ representative structure. It is a private institution with no lucrative goals established on its’ own statutes and further legislation.
The Students Union main goals are the students’ representation and the defence of their interests promoting their civic, physical, cultural and scientifical formation. However, above all AAUMa’s primary objective is always to ensure the best study conditions.
The University stimulates artistic, cultural and scientifical activities, promoting experiment spaces and extracurricular competences of both collective and social participation mostly endured by the Students Union.
In 2011 AAUMa completes 20 years of existence by the hand of several different social bodies. AAUMa follows an important strategy defending the Students Common interests. By supporting a direct communication with the student, AAUMa tries to inform and educate the student bearing in mind several fields of knowledge, and we believe students should have an active participation in his/her Academy’s ways.
Receptive to criticism, opinions, suggestions and demands, AAUMa believes that students should have an active participation concerning the Academy. Bearing in mind the profound transformation on the Portuguese Higher Educational system, complementary formation represents today a vital part on valuing the student.
As such, it is important to develop activities and projects that help students improve personal qualification and allow a useful and legitimate preparation.
Students’ projects and activities may represent a decisive advantage concerning a future selection. By supporting a direct communication with the student, AAUMa tries to inform and educate the student bearing in mind several fields of knowledge.
Technical University of Lisbon
Portugal
The Technical University of Lisbon (UTL) was established in 1930 from the merger of four existing schools: the High School of Veterinary Medicine, now the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV); the School of Agronomy (ISA); the Higher Institute of Economic and Financial Sciences, now the School of Economics and Management (ISEG); and the School of Engineering (IST).
"To link higher technical schools more directly with each other for the socioeconomic benefit of the whole of society and the wellbeing of the professions they serve, which are essential for the health and advancement of the country”; the University was created to teach “how society should be developed to meet all the demands of [...] modern civilisation." From the preamble to Decree-law no. 19081, of December 2, 1930, which created the Technical University of Lisbon.
The University was later expanded by the addition of three new higher education establishments: the Institute of Overseas Studies, now the School of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP), in 1961; the Higher Institute of Physical Education, now the Faculty of Human Kinetics (FMH), in 1976; and the Faculty of Architecture (FA) in 1979.
Around 19,000 undergraduate students and 3500 postgraduate students currently attend the seven Schools of the Technical University of Lisbon.
The premises of the Technical University of Lisbon are located in various parts of Lisbon. Some of the schools remain in their original locations: ISA (Tapada da Ajuda), ISEG (Quelhas) and IST (Alameda). A new Ajuda University Campus was created in 1987. with new premises for the Faculty of Architecture (FA), the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (FMV) and the School of Social and Political Sciences (ISCSP), as well as catering facilities and the Centre of Physical Activity and Recreation (CEDAR), located next to the School of Agronomy (ISA). UTL has expanded further within Taguspark (Oeiras), where a second IST campus has been operating since 2000. Other facilities include the Ajuda Botanical Garden and the Ajuda Woodlands.
The Rector’s Office has been located in the Centeno Palace (Campo Santana) since 1983. The University`s Administration offices and Social Services (SAS) have been housed in the Burnay Palace (Junqueira) since 2005.
Despite being one of the largest Portuguese state universities, the UTL has always adopted a decentralised organisational model. All faculties and institutes have an ample degree of autonomy in pedagogic, scientific, administrative and financial matters.
University of Ljubljana
Slovenia
The University of Ljubljana (UL) (Univerza v Ljubljani) is the oldest and largest university in Slovenia. With 64,000 enrolled graduate and postgraduate students, it is among the largest universities in Europe.
The University of Ljubljana practices basic, applied and development research, striving for excellence and quality of the highest standard in all fields of science and arts, such as the humanities, social sciences, linguistics, arts, medicine, natural sciences and technology. The University is known for the quality of its study courses in the humanities, and in scientific and technological fields, as well as in medicine, dentistry and veterinary science.
Based on its own research projects as well as advances in research at home and abroad, the University provides instruction and training to prominent scientists and experts, capable of leading sustainable development, with a view to respecting the legacy of European Enlightenment and Humanism as well as human rights. The University also promotes interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary studies.
Achievements in the fields of science and arts are shared with other universities and institutions carrying out scientific research. It thus contributes its share to the world's treasure of knowledge and at the same time, disseminates this knowledge within the country’s borders. The University works in co-operation with various economic institutions in both the public and private sectors, with the government and local authorities as well as other civil institutions. In this way it encourages the harnessing and application of its research and educational achievements and contributes to social development.
Some of these texts were taken from the website Wikipedia.
