1. The title of this issue of "Hello-online" 'Vivat academia! Vivant professores!' comes from an old students' song. Here is the first stanza of the song: Gaudeamus igitur,
Juvenes dum sumus!
Post Jucundam juventutem,
Post molestam senestutem
Noc habebit humus.
What language is it in?
Latin
The song is in Latin because that was the language of learning and instruction throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. It is generally believed that the song originally appeared in the 13th - 14th centuries when the first European universities were emerging; that the music was composed in the 15th century by Jean Ockenheim, a Dutch composer, AND that Domenico Strada, an Italian from Bologna, contributed to it in the 15th century. But there isn't much evidence for all this. We know for sure that the song was first published in 1781 by a German man of letters, H.V.Kindleben, in his collection of students' songs. The song gained much popularity in Russia in the 19th century. In 1874 P.I.Chaikovsky's musical version for the male choir with the piano was published. There are several Russian translations of the lyrics. One of these belongs to N.V.Bugaev, a university professor of mathematics and the father of the famous Russian poet Andrey Bely.
2. Moscow State University was founded in 1755 by the great Russian scientist M.V. Lomonosov. What other famous people are associated with establishing the first Russian university?
Empress Elizaveta and Duke Shuvalov
3. Which university did Desiderius Erasmus, the great Dutch scholar, Milton, the great English poet and Kapitza, the famous Russian physicist, study at?
Cambridge
Many great men studied at Cambridge, we can continue the list - Roger Bacon, the philosopher, Oliver Cromwell, the soldier, Newton, the scientist, etc.
4. Who was the great man who wished of all his many achievements the following three to be remembered - "Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom and the Father of the University of Virginia," which is the inscription on his tombstone.
Thomas Jefferson,
'Man of the People', was perhaps the greatest person the Enlightment produced, a universal man in the full Renaissance sense, a man who wanted to explore every branch of knowledge. Jefferson had begun thinking of founding a University as an academic village. In his enthusiasm he began work before the state legislature gave official backing. In 1818 the State Assembly appointed a commission with Jefferson as chairman to select a site and draw up plans for the design and organization of the University. The first 68 students arrived for the opening of classes on March 7, 1825 - just 16 months before Jefferson's death.
5. It's common knowledge that Oxford and Cambridge are the oldest and the most prestigious universities in Great Britain. They are also kind of rivals, aren't they? What is Oxbridge?
Oxford and Cambridge universities thought of as forming a single entity in terms of their similar organization, traditions and prestige.
The word denotes an elitist exclusive education associated with Oxford and Cambridge. Although both universities have tried in recent years to take more students from state schools, many Oxbridge students come from private and public schools and Oxbridge graduates form the British Establishment. According to the Longman Dictionary of English Language and Culture, people use the word Oxbridge to refer to values and beliefs they consider exclusive, elitist and out of touch with ordinary people. Others use the word to refer to traditional values and high standards in learning and teaching.
6. When did Moscow University first apply to the authorities to build new university buildings including an observatory and botanical gardens on the Vorobyovy Gory?
1770
In 1770, Catherine II denied the request and only in 1948 Stalin decided that one of Moscow skyscrapers to be built will be given to Moscow State University.
7. What is meant by 'Redbrick Universities'?
Universities founded in the 19th and the early part of 20th centuries
These include London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Birmingham. The name 'Redbrick' comes from the typical building material (in contrast to the stone of Oxbridge). Sometimes the word acquires a connotation of social inferiority and may refer to any newer university in the provinces.
8. The main building of Moscow State University is the tallest of the 'Seven Sisters' (also known as wedding cakes) - Moscow skyscrapers built in the late 1940s and early 1950s (the Ukraina Hotel, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, etc.). How tall is it?
235,7 meters
The main building of Moscow State University used to be the tallest in Moscow until the 531-meter high Ostankino TV Tower was built.
9. What river does Cambridge, a most famous student town, stand on?
the Charles River and the river Cam
There are TWO correct answers!
Just across the Charles River from Boston is Cambridge, America's most famous student town. It has the nation's oldest university, Harvard University. Harvard's history began when a college was established at New Towne in 1636. Some 130 alumni of the universities of Oxford and Cambridge immigrated to New England. These men wanted the same advantages for their children as they themselves had enjoyed in England, but as Puritans were then not allowed to attend English universities. They decided to set up a college of their own in the New World. The place where the college was established was later renamed Cambridge. A common sight in Cambridge is Harvard oarsmen rowing on the Charles River. The Harvard rowing team spends all year preparing for races in the spring, especially for the Harvard-Yale Regatta. However, that's not the only correct answer to the question.
British Cambridge with the famous Cambridge University founded in the 13th century, lies on the river Cam. It was to this flourishing market town that a group of students, fleeing from riots in Oxford, came in 1209. In 1318 the community of teachers and students received formal recognition from the Pope as a 'studium generale'. Cambridge is famous for its traditions. One of these is the May Week 'bumps', a rowing 'race' designed for the narrow Cam in which rowing 'eights' race one behind the other, starting one and a half lengths apart, the aim IS to bump the boat in front. Rowing is the traditional sport for Cambridge students and many colleges have their own boathouses. For the famous Oxford-Cambridge boat race the Cambridge crew practice at Ely, where conditions are closer to those on the Thames.
10. Speaking of American universities, how are second year students referred to?
