Togliatti State University

Togliatti State University (TSU) is a prominent public research University located in Samara Oblast, Russia, established in May 29, 2001 as a result of the merger of the Togliatti Polytechnic Institute (founded in 1951) and the Togliatti Branch of Samara State Pedagogical University (founded in 1988). It is the only university in the Volga Region that became a laureate of the Russian Government Prize in the sphere of quality (2009) and was awarded “Recognition of Business Excellence” prize of the Commonwealth of Independents States for achievements in product quality and service in 2011. Today, the University is home to over 12,000 students, and more than 67,000 have graduated from the University since its founding.

Togliatti Polytechnic Institute dates back to 1951 when the “Zhigulevskaya” hydroelectric power plant was constructed, and there was an urgent demand for highly qualified experts. A part-time study department called the Kuibyshev Industrial Institute was opened in Stavropol (the name of the city up to 1964), and issued diplomas to its first graduates in 1956. In 1961, full-time study programs were launched. In 1966, a new stage in the University’s history began with the construction of the Volzhsky Automotive Plant (AVTOVAZ), when Kuibyshev Industrial Institute was reorganized into the Togliatti Polytechnic Institute which featured an automotive department to provide engineering, design and research work for AVTOVAS.

Professor Aron N. Reznikov, the first Rector of the new institute, gathered the first teaching and research staff, creating a modern institution where more than 30 thousand qualified specialists were trained and 1134 inventions were registered in the variety of fields. In 1979, Professor Vladimir I. Stolbov became the Rector of Togliatti Polytechnic Institute and at this time a unique system of multi-level training was developed. By the beginning of the 1990s the Institute had incorporated five faculties, 38 departments and the number of students reached 6.5 thousand.

In 1988, the Togliatti Branch of Samara State Pedagogical University was founded, and Professor Ivan P. Plekhanov became its first Rector. It initially had four departments but the university grew rapidly and its structure had developed into 32 departments by the end of the 1980s.

In 2001, the first Mayor of Togliatti Sergey F. Zhilkin was appointed the first Rector of TSU, after initiating its establishment. He was reelected twice afterwards. At this time new buildings were built, a swimming pool was opened, and modern learning technologies were introduced.

TSU comprises ten Colleges, or "Institutes":

The Institute of Mechanical Engineering dates back to 1967 when the first Motor Vehicle Construction Department was established in Togliatti, and offers the nation's top mechanical engineering program, with more than 180 teachers, 77 Associate Professors, and 28 Full Professors. Educational centers at the Institute have been developed centering on Welding, High Energy Technologies in Mechanical Engineering, Testing, Certification, Physical Material Science and Nanotechnology, and Industrial and Environmental Safety, where both students and faculty are engaged in research projects. Students also work in two research laboratories specialized for “Automotive Research” and “Safety”. These research facilities were added to complement the Institutes's educational mission, address the ever-changing needs of industry and society, and contribute to the economic and social development of the region and the nation. The Institute also hosts such international scientific and technical conferences such as "Safety. Technologies. Management,", "Technological and Thermal Aspects of Effectiveness Increase of Mechanical Engineering: Reznikov Readings", and "Brazing and Soldering".

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