South Ural State University is sending students of the Institute of Architecture and Construction to the Czech Republic for practical training at the company Topolwater, which designs and manufactures equipment for cleaning waste water.
The company’s work is in partnership with the firm Kubicek, which manufactures air-blowing equipment necessary for the operation of their stations and also with the German firm Wilo, who makes pump equipment.
In 2013 on the Independent Czechoslovak State Day a delegation from the Czech Republic presented the product of a number of firms in a presentation in Chelyabinsk. Teachers of the academic program Water Supply and Sanitation were especially of interest to the firm Kubicek, which also represented the interests of Topolwater. Quickly, South Ural State University received an invitation to visit the Czech company to get to know the European experiences of cleaning domestic wastewater.
We spoke with Vladimir Speranskiy, associate professor of the Department of Town Planning, Engineering Systems, and Networks and found out about the international practices of students of the faculty and their future prospects.
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– Vladimir Semenovich tell us about the first-time students were sent to the Czech Republic. How did it all begin?
– At the presentation of Czech forms in 2013, we received an invitation to further get to know the work of one of the Czech leaders in cleaning waste water – the firm Topolwater. The leadership of SUSU thought it possible to send four teachers from the department to the Czech Republic. One of the results of the trip was an agreement on the cooperation between the firm Topolwater and SUSU, involving our students completing practical training in the firm’s design and manufacturing divisions.
In 2014, two of our students, Aleksey Galutskikh and Tatiana Efimenko completed a month-long practical lesson there. The materials gained in the practical training were used in completing final projects. After the successful defense of her project, Tatiana’s was nominated for the Russian Contest of Final Projects. In the area stage, it was named the best. In the final stage, the project got 3rd place among the best projects of Russian universities. Considering the demanding work in the practical training, the leadership of the firm offered Aleksey and Tatiana, who received not only SUSU degrees but also a marriage certificate, a two-year contract for working in the design division.
– Which course knowledge from SUSU was most helpful to them in their practical training in the Czech Republic?
– Since this company cleans waste water, the students found the Sewage Network, Pumps and Pumping Stations, and Wastewater Treatment courses the most helpful. In meeting with coworkers of the firm and trips to the Czech Republic, their knowledge of English was very helpful.
– This year you plan on sending students for practical training again. Tell us about that.
– This year, four students of our department from the Water Supply and Sanitation program were sent for practical training. Our graduates Aleksey and Tatiana were named leaders of this practical training. They tentatively discussed possible topics for future final projects and individual tasks for practical training. When they return, the students will have to defend their reports at the department.
– What prospects to they have after this practical training?
– Right now, there are many Russian and international firms offering equipment for cleaning wastewater. We need specialists who are able to apply and operate this equipment. The students who complete practical training at such a serious firm as Topolwater should have no problem finding work.