The Institute of Chemical Engineering (ChemTech) is one of the leading divisions of the Ural Federal University, says the director, Mikhail Varaksin. The Institute competitive advantages are associated with its more than 100-year history, deep scientific and educational traditions, as well as highly qualified employees with rich experience in solving diverse fundamental and applied problems in the field of modern chemistry and chemical technology, biotechnology and related fields. ChemTech is a vivid example of the successful interaction between the good traditions of the old school and advanced trends in the field of science, education and innovation.
— Today's students are future students. Mikhail, please tell us what are the ways of working with applicants?
— The Institute of Chemical Engineering pays great attention to work with school student. We already know many of those, who come to study with us well - we met them at olympiads, summer schools, competitions, and also thanks to joint projects with a number of general education institution.
Here are some of the latest examples. In January 2022, the Ural project shift was held at the Sirius Educational Center (Sochi). The Institute of Chemical Engineering implemented research projects within the School of Talents. It is worth noting that team project work allowed to acquire a lot of skills: research (generating ideas, choosing the best solution), evaluative (evaluating the result of one’s own activities and others' activities), informational (search for the necessary information, literature), presentational (speak to an audience, answer to questions, use visual aids, demonstrate artistic temperament). And, of course, social interaction - the guys learned how to work in a team, help each other, monitor the work progress and make the necessary adjustments.
The second example is the holding of the Scientific and Technological Initiative (STI) Olympiad in the New Materials and Sensors profile. Forty-seven school students conducted experiments for five days in the ChemTech' laboratories. Three out of four tasks were solved on the basis of the Institute of Chemical Engineering. The finalists determined the content of nitrates in vegetables and fruits, the proportion of heavy metals in the environment, created sensors for detecting explosives, and synthesized nanomaterials. Based on the work results, the teams defended projects.
Also, ChemTech staff and undergraduates annually take part in the All-Russian and regional chemical tournaments for school student. This year, the final of the All-Russian tournament was held for the first time in Ekaterinburg, within the walls of the Ural Federal University. The Chemistry Tournament is a team event for school student who want to try their hand at solving complex and creative problems. About a month and a half before the start, participants are announced a list of tasks that need to be solved within its framework. Unlike Olympiads, these are open-ended tasks that do not involve a single answer; to solve them, you need to do a little research, work with literary sources and show creativity. For the school students, a correspondence stage was held, and futher, after checking the competitive tasks, a full-time stage. As part of the internal stage, the guys were able to get acquainted with the university, go on excursions to institutes that implement chemistry. Also, the applicants worked on chemical problems, conducted demonstration experiments with their own hands, and asked questions of interest to the institutes staff. It is also worth noting that ChemTech students took an active part in the preparation of the tournament, i.e., in fact, the professor-student-school student bond was realized. This is important when school student, while still studying at school, can get acquainted with the institutions, their work, in order to make the right choice.
The Institute of Chemical Engineering also holds the regional stage of the All-Russian Chemistry Olympiad for school student. One day of the Olympiad is theoretical, and on the second day the guys solve the tasks of the practical round in the ChemTech' laboratories. It should be noted that many coped with the tasks!
In 2018-2019 based on the new ChemTech' subdivision - the Innovative center of Chemical and pharmaceutical technologies, another idea was implemented - project work with school students. The first group that ChemTech stuff work with are students from a number of schools in Ekaterinburg and Berezovsky. In the classroom, the guys get acquainted with the fascinating world of chemistry, learn its basics. Lessons include not only theoretical, but also practical mastering of chemistry chapters. The students consolidate the material covered by solving problems of various levels of complexity and setting up an experiment, including its planning, conducting, description and summing up. So, now the teams are in the process of creating indicators based on plant materials. Very soon, school students will have a reporting conference on their work results. In May 2022, tenth-graders of the university lyceum, a specialized educational and scientific center (SESC) of UrFU, actively joined the work. SESC students were involved in the teams of young scientists to implement the tasks of scientific and innovative projects within the framework of existing grants from the Russian Science Foundation, the Russian Foundation for Basic Research, Federal Target Programs, etc. There are plans to attract school students from other schools in our region.
— How is the admission campaign - 2022 built? How do you attract prospective students?
— The admission campaign - 2022 of the Institute of Chemical Engineering started in the summer of 2021. We worked with Ekaterinburg school student as part of Summer scientific schools and the School of Successful Applicants. During the autumn-winter, more than 40 excursions were conducted around the Institute for future applicants from the cities of the Sverdlovsk region (Ekaterinburg, Revda, Novouralsk, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Lesnoy, etc.), the Chelyabinsk region (Miass, Snezhinsk, Ozersk), Kurgan, Izhevsk, Sarapul and etc. Our stuff gave lectures and conducted laboratory classes within the framework of the chemistry tournament, the STI Olympiad, "Test Drive", school Days of Science. In addition, we have conducted and are ready to conduct individual tours of the laboratories of our institute. This year even schoolchildren of 1-2 grades were on the excursion!
— The first question that arises among applicants is related to the choice of the trajectory of education. What areas of training are implemented at ChemTech? What professions can an applicant get and what is the uniqueness of education in your institute?
— Up-to-date information about educational programs, as well as about the Institute in general in Russian and English, is available on the ChemTech website. Please actively use the website https://hti.urfu.ru/en/ .
In 2022, ChemTech is recruiting for three bachelor's programs. The first, largest direction is 18.03.01 "Chemical technology". For a year and a half, all students of this direction study according to a single program, and then choose educational trajectories. These trajectories can conditionally be divided into organic and inorganic profile trajectorie.
Organic educational trajectories include "Chemical technology of organic substances", "Chemical technology of synthetic biologically active substances", "Chemical technology of natural energy carriers and carbon materials" and "Instrumental methods for the analysis of natural and technical objects". Graduates of this direction work at enterprises for the production of medicines, at research institutes, primarily at the Russian Academy of Sciences, in the different laboratories and teach at universities. In general, chemistry is everywhere, so the graduates will also have a green light at factories related to the production of polymeric materials, rubber products, plastics, new composite materials, petrochemistry and gas processing, chemical reagents.
Inorganic trajectories include "Technology of electrochemical production", "Chemical technology of inorganic substances" and "Physico-chemical technologies of materials for electronic engineering and energy". Graduates of these trajectories will definitely find work at enterprises that apply protective and decorative coatings, the production of electrical energy chemical sources, fuel cells, electrochemical corrosion protection, mineral fertilizers, large-tonnage chemistry products, and chemical reagents. Good prospects are for graduates who master the technologies for the production of printed circuit boards for modern electronics, the cultivation of fiber-optic materials - communications of the 21st century, and the creation of thermal imaging sensor elements.
The second direction is 18.03.02 “Energy and resource saving processes in chemical technology, petrochemistry and biotechnology”. Within the framework of this direction, two trajectories are being implemented: “Machines and apparatus for chemical production” and “Environmental protection and rational use of natural resources”. Graduates of these trajectories are in demand in research and design institutes, in high-tech computerized production of petrochemical and oil and gas processing complexes, the nuclear industry and different laboratories.
The third area of bachelor's training is 19.03.01 "Biotechnology". Graduates will be in demand at enterprises producing antibiotics and vaccines, vitamin preparations, biologically active substances, genetic engineering products, vaccines, probiotics, fermented milk products and low-alcohol drinks, homogenized juices, biofuels.
In the areas of "Chemical Technology" and "Biotechnology" there is also an extramural form of education (5 years).
— Is there an opportunity for admission for college graduates?
— Traditionally, not only high school graduates, but also college graduates come to us. For admission to ChemTech (in any direction), graduates of these educational institutions must pass computer testing in mathematics, chemistry and the Russian language (or they must have the results of the Unified State Examination).
— Is it possible for students from Ural Federal University and other universities to transfer to ChemTech?
— Students can be transferred to the Institute of Chemical Technology from other universities to a state-funded place. We have successfully carried out such a practice. State-funded places are released after the first session - we weed out those who do not want to study. Therefore, we usually have state-funded places. In the last academic year, students came to us from other institutes of UrFU, as well as from South Ural University, Omsk State University, St. Petersburg State Institute of Technology. The only difficulty when transferring from other universities is the difference in the educational program, which will need to be eliminated. The most optimal transfer time for a student, in my opinion, is after the 1st or 2nd year, since the difference in the program is not particularly noticeable. It is also possible to transfer from a contract education form.
— Unfortunately, not all students will be able to enroll in state-funded places. What is the cost of education for contract students and are discounts possible?
— ChemTech is also accepting students for a contract form of education. A flexible system of discounts is also provided. Detailed information can be found on the website.
— What living conditions will be created for first-year students from other cities?
— All first-year students from other cities will be provided with a hostel in the united campus of UrFU. Our students live at 1a Komintern str., (14th student building, in rooms for 3-4 people), 144 Malyshev str. (5th student building), 66a Komsomolskaya str. (13th student building). Sectional dormitories. Those who wish can come and see the living conditions (I think they are quite acceptable).
— Let's move on to the most important part - the educational one. How can you characterize the faculty of the Institute?
— In general, I can say immodestly: the teaching staff at ChemTech is the best in the university. All of us have a doctorate or PhD degree. ChemTech is an institute at the university, where three academicians and one corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Sciences work at once. That is, the same people who write textbooks and make scientific discoveries. Many departments have many young scientists who have recently defended their PhD.
Professors from Germany, South Africa, England, Belgium, Austria, China regularly come to us. Another good tradition is holding youth scientific schools and conferences. UrFU and the Institute of Chemical Engineering were co-organizers of the XX Mendeleev Congress on General and Applied Chemistry, which was held in Ekaterinburg. Within the congress framework, the work of scientific sections, satellite symposiums, round tables, a tournament for school student, advanced training of chemistry teachers, and a strategic session of young scientists were organized. Our students take an active part in such events - they give oral and poster presentations, solve Olympiad problems, work as volunteers. Every year, together with our colleagues, we hold the International Conference "Modern synthetic methodologies for the creation of drugs" in November.
— What are the opportunities for continuing education for a master's degree and in postgraduate school?
— In our institute it is possible to continue education in the Master's degree and postgraduate study. All existing master's programs are formed according to a modular principle and provide the student with the right to choose his own individual educational trajectory. Particularly unique are the programs in the field of "Chemical Technology" and "Biotechnology" - there are no such programs in the Ural region yet.
In 2021, as part of this area, the following programs will be recruited: “Chemical technology of materials for electronics, sensory analytics and inorganic substances”; "Chemical technology of natural energy carriers, petrochemical products and polymers"; "Electrochemical synthesis of materials and corrosion protection"; "Organization of the production of chemical and pharmaceutical preparations".
We also have special programs in the direction of "Biotechnology": "Molecular Biotechnology and Bioengineering"; "Food Biotechnology (in English)"; "Cellular and gene technologies in cosmetology, pharmaceuticals and medicine of the future".
Enterprises constantly turn to us for specialists in this area, because there are few of them in our country, and in the Urals ChemTech UrFU is definitely out of competition.
There are also programs for the direction "Energy and resource-saving processes in chemical technology, petrochemistry and biotechnology": "Machines and apparatus for chemical and nuclear industries".
We train specialists for the enterprises of Rosatom, Gazprom and other large corporations; our instrument base allows us to carry out almost any research.
The interdisciplinary master's program of the new format “Living Systems. Promising chemical-pharmaceutical and biotechnologies: research and development”, which allows students to gain a unique experience of working with leading scientists and highly qualified practitioners. The base platform of the program is the Innovative center of Chemical and pharmaceutical technologies of UrFU with a youth team and the most modern equipment. You can enter this program from three directions at once (chemistry, chemical technology, biotechnology) and you can choose one of two tracks:
- academic (research, focused on a smooth transition to graduate school and further academic growth)
or
- applied (professional, focused on the real sector of the economy).
Students are at the center of our research and practice. They join our academic family at work to address issues on the frontier of science and technology to meet the challenges in the natural sciences and related fields that the modern world faces today. Graduates become experts in such areas as drug development (from digital simulation of the interaction of a synthesized molecule with a biological target to sale in a pharmacy) in relation to viral infections, oncological, neurodegenerative diseases; innovative biotechnological products for medicine and industry; personalized diagnostic tools and methods for analyzing living systems.
As for postgraduate school, we have always been famous for young scientists. Postgraduate study opens up new opportunities: in addition to our own modern laboratories, young scientists spend a lot of time at the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences and train abroad. This is how the institute trains highly qualified personnel.
The ChemTech management supports all undertakings of students. Traditionally, our students successfully participate and become laureates of the All-Russian Olympiad in Inorganic Chemistry (Kazan), the All-Russian Olympiad in Chemical Technology of Organic Substances (Samara), the All-Russian Olympiad in Processes and Apparatuses of Chemical Technology (Ufa), the International Internet Olympiad in Chemistry and Ecology (Yoshkar-Ola), etc.
Once again, I want to emphasize that more detailed information is provided on the Institute website, I ask you to actively use it, ask questions to the management and the admission committee.
— What can you say about the Institute's partners? How do they interact with the institute and students?
— The Institute of Chemical Engineering of UrFU, formerly known as the Department of Chemistry, is famous for its graduates: Oleg Chupakhin, academician, scientific director at the Institute of Organic Synthesis of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (UB RAS) and professor of the Department of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry of ChemTech; Valery Charushin, Vice-President of the UB RAS, Chairman UB RAS and Head of the Department of Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry; Anatoly Khomyakov, head of Rostekhnadzor, responsible for all radiation safety in the region; Nikolai Smirnov, Minister of Energy and Housing and Utilities of the Sverdlovsk Region; Victoria Kazakova, Minister of Industry of the Sverdlovsk Region; Dmitry Sokolov and Sergey Isaev, participants in the show "Ural'skie pelmeny"; Gleb Panfilov, film director. The list is endless, I can say that ChemTech graduates achieve success in any field.
From the very first year, our students are interested in the largest enterprises, from which we receive many applications. For example, if you go to the Kalina concern, then 90% of the employees in the research center are graduates of the Institute of Chemical Engineering. Tobolsk-Polymer (SIBUR company), Irbitsky Chemical Pharmaceutical Plant, Plant Medsintez (Novouralsk), Uralelectromed (Verkhnyaya Pyshma), Russian Chrome 1915 (Pervouralsk), SverdNIIKhimmash, Kalinin Plant, Uraltransgaz, Ural plant RTI, LLC Patra OPH (Ekaterinburg), Metafrax (Gubakha, Perm region), LLC Biosintez (Penza), Novotroitsk plant of chromium compounds (Orenburg region), Uralkhimpribor (Forest) , winery "Fanagoria" (Krasnodar region) are also our constant partners in the issue of employment of students and graduates. Recently, representatives of the largest companies - Gazprom, Lukoil, Rosatom, R-Pharm, Biocad - meet with our students very often. There are a lot of food industry enterprises and small businesses in the Urals, so our students and graduates are involved everywhere.
I can say that we have 95-98% employment. It is clear that one cannot take an enterprise and say that it is chemical or non-chemical. Each enterprise has analytical laboratories, and it is also impossible to build a career in companies engaged in the sale of chemical equipment, chemical reagents, and petroleum products without a chemical education. If we count them, then 100 percent employment.
— Increased and nominal scholarships, internships...
— All areas that are implemented at the ChemTech are among the priority areas for the development of the Russian economy, so we participate in the competition for presidential and government scholarships in the region. In the 2020/21 academic year, more than 30 people received an increased scholarship from the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation in priority areas of economic development. We also have scholarship holders of the President of the Russian Federation, the Governor of the Sverdlovsk Region, the first President of Russia Boris Yeltsin, scholarship holders of the Uraltransgaz company, eight people became laureates of the R-Pharm scholarship. There are students who receive increased scholarships for good and excellent studies and participation in the scientific life. Therefore, some of our students receive up to 25 thousand rubles per month.
In addition to the financial side, excellent students are always involved in science and have the opportunity to work on the best equipment of the institute, in the best scientific centers, and even go on internships to European and Asian universities.
Brighten up your student life
— Let us dwell on the research work at the institute. What opportunities do students have in this area?
Two strategic projects of the state program "Priority-2030" are being implemented on the basis of the Institute of Chemical Technology: "Materials and Technologies for Hydrogen and Nuclear Energy" and "Design and Technologies of Functional Materials and Systems"
The main directions of the strategic project on hydrogen technologies are:
- Development of physical and chemical foundations of technology for obtaining high-purity oxides of rare and rare earth elements, promising for use in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC), high-temperature electrolyzers for hydrogen production, as well as for photovoltaics and renewable energy devices;
- Development of scientific foundations for purposeful thin-film chemical synthesis, which ensures the production of materials with the required functional properties;
- Synthesis and study of the electrophysical characteristics of functional materials and complex compositions based on them for the formation of single elements of solid oxide electrochemical devices;
- Development of the composition of the fuel salt and the intermediate coolant of the liquid-salt incinerator reactor, the study of the physico-chemical properties of salt compositions and the behavior of structural materials;
- Synthesis of new organic compounds with semiconductor properties and development of high-performance electronic devices based on them. Creation of covalent organic frameworks (COF) for heterogeneous hydrogen catalysis and storage.
The main directions of the strategic project on functional organic, hybrid materials and biomolecular technologies are:
- Search for new and development of existing methods and techniques for targeted synthesis/functionalization of organic and hybrid compounds based on green (resource- and energy-saving) technologies (S-H functionalization, one-pot & solvent-free processes, mechanochemical technologies controlled and activated by visible light and/or UV irradiation (synthetic methods, etc.);
- Synthesis of promising organic materials based on original pharmacoactive small heterocyclic molecules with low toxicity and biotarget-specific action against viral infections, oncological, neurodegenerative, endocrine diseases, etc., as well as hybrid functional materials for electrochemical and fluorescent sensors;
- A comprehensive study of properties, including methods of digital modeling and targeted (bio)screening, focused on the targeted search for technologies for converting developed materials into high-tech products and devices for maintaining health, improving the quality of life and human health (original chemical, pharmaceutical and biomedical drugs in relation to social - significant diseases), monitoring and improving the quality of the environment (portable sensor devices for monitoring the parameters of living systems, technical objects, food products, pharmaceuticals, etc.).
Strategic projects for ChemTech development are focused on the creation and development of a system of master's and postgraduate schools within the designated areas, providing deep integration of science and educational process as part of the implementation of practice-oriented projects of students supported by grants from scientific foundations, federal targeted programs and commissioned by enterprises in the real sector economy.
It is worth noting that the University provides students with the opportunity to receive grants and scholarships for studying abroad. Recently, our Master's degree students returned from Canada and Switzerland, and many of the students also visited China, Great Britain, Belgium, Germany and other countries. From the second or third year, student can take an internship in major international companies, for example, Unilever, Heineken United Brewery, etc. In addition, our staff give lectures at foreign universities.
All the equipment that is available at ChemTech is installed primarily so that students from the first year are aware of what "science" is. We are equipped with the latest technology. We have everything to teach and conduct research work at the modern level.
— But, in addition to studying and science, the students probably want to realize themselves in creativity. How is the extracurricular life of ChemTech students?
— Much attention is also paid to extracurricular activities at ChemTech. Our trade union organization (union of students) is one of the most active in the university. From the first days of their studies, students plunge into student life - competitions, amateur performances, quests, student activist schools, all kinds of sporting events: the Universiade of UrFU and much more. Student years are the best years. It is at this time that the most important competencies are formed - the ability to work in a team, the formation of leadership qualities.
ChemTech traditionally supports student groups (construction, pedagogical, train conductors). In student groups, students are given the opportunity to get a working profession, improve their financial situation, acquire new skills and abilities. On May 8, one of the most famous units of the Ural Federal University - "Horizon" - turned 50 years old! Also, current students have the opportunity to become a volunteer and take part in university, city, all-Russian and even international events (for example, the World Cup).
And every year, our students participate in traditional joint events with the Faculty of Chemistry of the Moscow State University named after M. V. Lomonosov. The main thing is that social work does not interfere with studies!
— And finally, your opinion: why ChemTech UrFU is prestigious?
— The Institute of Chemical Engineering is the guarantor of a good prestigious education and the key to the success of graduates. According to the results of 2018, ChemTech takes the first place in the ranking of UrFU institutions. Most universities cannot compare with us in terms of technical equipment, laboratories, outstanding teachers, educational programs. At least in the Urals there is definitely no such thing. All the equipment that is available at ChemTech is installed primarily so that students from the first year realize what "science" is. This is an old school, that does not stand still, but is constantly evolving, keeping up with the times.
Interesting projects are also being carried out within the framework of the Green Energy project, innovative power sources, the latest devices, sensors, and new materials are being created. We are constantly developing scientific and technical work. Pharmaceuticals is our forte, a visiting card, we will proudly bear the title of the best university that trains specialists in this area. From the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, we are approached with proposals to participate in the Pharma program, where we have already successfully completed several projects. For example, the well-known drug "Triazavirin" has been tested and is sold in pharmacies, followed by the next drug with the code name "Triazid", it is more effective and less toxic. The third stage of a preclinical study of an innovative antidiabetic drug that protects against the complications of diabetes is nearing completion. In general, HTI organics have more than a dozen active molecules in their portfolio, which are waiting for their turn to become drugs. Also, the institute is actively developing work on the creation of modern materials and technologies for sensors, optics and alternative energy, the electrochemical design of structured materials for clean energy and space technologies, and others.
ChemTech today is a unique favorable environment for the development of the creative potential of students who are able to solve various scientific and technological problems facing modern society, science and industry, once in which everyone will be able to realize themselves 100%.
Our graduates will be in demand always and in all areas!
We look forward to seeing you in the institute team!
Created / Updated: 9 February 2022 / 10 February 2022
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