TPU, Main Building

From its beginnings, the University has sought to be excellent in both teaching and research. It has now secured its place as one of the Russia’s leading research universities. The first rector Professor E. L. Zubashev laid the foundation for the development of the best traditions of TPU as a large Siberian centre for education and research.

Tomsk Institute of Technology (TTI) ensured education and training of highly qualified engineers, which strengthened the industry and economy in Siberia, the Far East and former Soviet republics (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kirghizia, etc.). TTI established outstanding schools in the field of chemistry, mechanical engineering and material science, physics and mathematics, electrical and power engineering, mining and geology, building and architecture.

In 1925 TTI changed its name into Siberian Technological Institute, in 1934 it was reorganised into Tomsk Industrial Institute and in 1944 it got status of Tomsk Polytechnic Institute (TPI).

From 1950s to 1970s, TPI received a powerful impetus for further development, which was marked by a powerful spur to new research areas such as radio engineering, electronic engineering and automation, nuclear power engineering, cybernetics and computer engineering, high-voltage engineering, technology and methods of directional drilling, molecular physics, and plasma physics and chemistry.

In 1990s, TPU had to organise to hold out in the hard times of democratic changes and transition to the market economy in Russia. Since then, Tomsk Polytechnic University has been developing in compliance with five-year Complex Development Plans (CDPs). These plans became one of the most crucial innovations in the Russian education approved and supported by the RF Government.

•    CDP-1 (1991-1995) created conditions for the university transformation from the polytechnic institute to the polytechnic university.
•    CDP-2 (1996-2000) ensured dynamic development during Russia’s transition to market economy.
•    CDP-3 (2001-2005) provided integration of the university into the international scientific and educational community.

CDP Outcomes:

•    new departments and institutes (Economics and Management; Natural Sciences and Mathematics; Distance Learning; International Education and Language Communication; Engineering Entrepreneurship; Continuing Professional Development);
•    42 new Diploma Specialist programmes;
•    47 new Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programmes, including double degree programmes developed in collaboration with European university-partners;
•    TPU expanded its educational services, about 500 international students from 32 countries study for 17 Bachelor’s degree, 10 Diploma Specialist and 13 Master’s degree programmes.
•    Over 200 TPU students are involved in academic exchange, over 20 academic programmes are taught in English.
Today, the University is implementing CDP-4 for 2006-2010 with special emphasis placed on innovative research, high technologies development, education and training of graduates’ capable of ensuring positive changes in the Russian economy and improving its competitiveness in the world.

Learning and teaching

In its teaching and learning policy, TPU follows requirements and recommendations of a number of national and international professional organisations such as the Russian Association for Engineering Education, Washington Accord, ENAEE etc. Special emphasis is placed on international certification criteria for professional engineers by FEANI, APEC Engineer Register, and EMF.
Today TPU is gradually turning to outcome-based approach and ECTS when assessing academic achievements following regulations of the Bologna Process aimed at comprehensive development of all-European educational area. These systems provide students with an opportunity to shape their education path basing on a liberal model of teaching and learning.

TPU is actively developing an innovative approach to engineering education aimed at building up practical competences of future specialists. Language learning is among TPU’s first priorities encouraging international exchanges and internships. An increasing range of undergraduate scholarships and support is available for international exchanges, events and competitions. There are also new and emerging opportunities for TPU students to broaden their perspective through further or parallel study, including concurrent diplomas in modern languages.

Research

TPU is internationally recognised as being among the very top tier of leading Russia's research oriented universities.
Research is undertaken in all institutes and faculties and the vast majority of the University's academic staff are working in areas which are acknowledged as undertaking work of national and international significance. Such research annually earns grants and investments.
It is noteworthy that TPU occupies the honourable first place in Russia by the number of concluded contracts with foreign partners. According to the amount of research, it takes the second place and regarding the number of patents and licenses. TPU takes the third position among all Russian higher educational institutions (46,3 per cent of a total number of patents in Tomsk).

TPU research fields

•    atomic and nuclear physics
•    resource-efficient technologies and charged particle beams application
•    non-destructive testing of materials and products
•    high-voltage pulse equipment
•    power and electrical engineering
•    measuring and control of physical quantities based on new effects
•    chemical technologies for inorganic materials
•    information and telecommunication technologies
•    geology and mineral exploration
•    nanotechnology and nanomaterials
•    innovative and elite engineering education

International

TPU established a number of research centres of world-known companies, among them Microsoft, Danfoss, Lapp Group, etc.
We offer international Bachelor programmes in 4 fields of study and 6 Master programmes in high technologies.
Annually over 250 TPU researchers take part in international events abroad, 30 per cent of researchers win both Russian and international mobility grants. Over 200 undergraduate students and postgraduates study abroad and undertake their internship in foreign universities.
TPU Campus

Today TPU is entire university campus that includes research and educational buildings and laboratories with the total area of 260,000 square metres, 14 hostels, Library containing over 2,7 million books, 4,200 computers with Internet access and over 100 WiFi zones located in university buildings. There is a great sense of community at TPU campus since it is a great resource for the local community with excellent facilities such as sports grounds, a sanatorium, recreation centres, cafes and restaurants, modern concert and dance halls, and the celebration hall of the International Culture Centre.

Inside the TPU buildings ground-breaking research is taking place and academics and students are sharing their knowledge and experience. The University includes 8 academic institutes, 10 faculties, 100 departments, 3 research institutes, 17 centres and 68 laboratories for research and education. On the premises of TPU and the Russian Academy of Sciences 18 joint departments and centres, as well as 12 centres of collective use were established and are successfully functioning and implementing their research and educational activity.

•    Total number of TPU teaching staff - 1,700
•    Total number of TPU students - 22,500
•    TPU has 4 branches and 14 representative offices in Russia and abroad (in Germany and the Czech Republic).

Contact details for MULTIC

Direct link to Tomsk Polytechnic University.