Penza, 30 November 2012. PenzaNews. The new structure of Penza State University (PSU), presented by the chancellor Vladimir Volchikhin in connection with reorganization of the institution due to pedagogical (teachers’ training) university takeover, was approved by the members of the Academic Council. According to the head of Public Relations of the Pedagogical Institute named after V.Belinsky Natalia Tolkacheva, corresponding orders shall soon be signed, after which the adopted changes will take effect.

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“It is proposed to establish a university-wide department of Physics and Mathematics, which will unite the Physics and Mathematics Departments of the Pedagogical University and specialized departments of PSU. In addition, the Natural Geography Department of the Pedagogical University will embrace a number of specialized departments of PSU. Most likely, the new department will be called the Natural Science Department,” the agency interlocutor explained.

She added that the department of Sociology, Psychology, Elementary and Special Education of the Pedagogical University will be combined into one called Social and Psycho-Pedagogical Education.

“The department of Economics, Management and Law of the Pedagogical University will be transferred to PSU and called Business department. The main challenge now is to make sure that the department of Economics of the Pedagogical University does not duplicate the department of Business of PSU,” Natalia Tolkacheva explained.

According to her, the departments of foreign languages, the Russian language and Literature, as well as History department will merge into the department of History and Philology.

“In view of the tasks set by the Governor of the Penza region Vasily Bochkarev, and considering the strategy of development of sports in the region, the department of Physical Education of the Pedagogical University is most likely to remain independent and will be called the department of Physical Education and Sport. It is expected that it will train not only teachers, but also professional coachers and instructors,” the representative of the university stated.

The interlocutor of the agency noted that the list of departments of Penza State University would remain the same except for the changes above.

Natalia Tolkacheva noted that there is no information yet as to how these changes will affect the number of teaching staff of the university.

“Probably, the reduction will occur. However, it will be connected primarily with a decrease in the number of applicants, which is a consequence of the current demographic situation in the country. One can therefore say that the reduction is to affect only the management staff,” she added.

The head of Public Relations of the Pedagogical Institute also stressed that the first priority of the university is a calm organization of the educational process.

“The innovations will not be too evident to the students. The location will remain the same, as well as all the student’s guarantees and teaching programs and priorities. The only significant change is that the graduates will receive a PSU diploma,” the agency interlocutor explained.

According to her, the reorganization will be more significant to the applicants of 2013.

“Before that they could apply to three departments in each of the universities — Penza State Pedagogical University and PSU, while the next year they will come to apply to a single institution — Penza State University,” Natalia Tolkacheva concluded.