Sumy National Agrarian University

Sumy National Agrarian University is one of the Ukrainian Institutions of higher education that trains specialists for national economy. It was founded in 1977. At first it was a branch of the Kharkiv Agricultural Institute, named after V.V.Dokuchaev. In 1990 it became an independent higher establishment, in 1997 - a University and in 2001 it got the status of National. The University trains specialists for agriculture and economy, conducts scientific and research work and postgraduate courses, grants degrees. More than 5300 students get their training there. At first there were two faculties: agronomical and economic. Now the students study at different faculties containing 41 departments. The faculties are: agronomical, economic, zooengineering, veterinary, civil engineering and a faculty of mechanization. Not long ago some more faculties were opened: a faculty of law, finance and credit, food technologies. All of them are situated in modem buildings outside the town limits in Kirov Street. Senior students major in those subjects which are essential for their future activities. The students orient their term and graduation papers, business plans toward the enterprises at which they are going to work. They take practical training before the graduation exams. There is also an extra­mural department at our University that trains specialists in many fields.

The academic year is divided into two terms from September to January, and from February to July. The students attend seminars and lectures. At the end of each term they take their tests and exams. We can find lots of well-equipped lecture halls, computer centers, laboratories, workshops, experimental training farms. There are some libraries, reading halls in each of the buildings where the students work with different textbooks, books, journals, and newspapers on definite specialities.

Today SNAU enjoys national and international reputation for the contribution in scientific research. The University devotes much attention to the promotion of the cooperation with institutions of higher education in foreign countries.

Agricultural Professions

You can get many agricultural professions at universities and academies, which are well-equipped and qualified for training such specialists.

Some people like nature, animals, growing plants and flowers, that’s why they connect their lives with agriculture.

The most popular profession is a farmer; he performs many functions if it is his own business. He takes care of animals, feed them, he works in fields. He plans how to plant fields, fertilizes soils, waters plants, and controls weeds.

Agriculture is impossible without an agronomist. He is often called a scientist in fields. He makes experiments, controls planting and harvesting, selects what to grow and when.

Nowadays machinery is used in agriculture. Machine-operators and combine-operators are involved in sowing, watering and harvesting. They repair machines too. In spring and summer they have much work from early morning till late evening.

On a big farm there are some people who perform planning, estimating and calculating. They are economists, agrarian managers, book-keepers.

On cattle-farms many people take care of animals. Veterinarians and livestock experts help animals when they are sick and keep them healthy. Milkmaids and poultry-breeders feed their animals, provide them with fresh air and direct sunlight. Stable-men clean stables, make and cock hay.

Day by day more and more new professions appear in agriculture. Gardening business has become popular in Ukraine, that’s why we need good specialists in this sphere. Landscaping workers design and maintain landscapes, work at private landscaping establishments. They assist in the construction of lawns, gardens. They plant flowers, bushes, trees. They clean landscape environments.

Horticulture workers have knowledge and skills needed to work in a greenhouse. They plant, cultivate, harvest, prepare soils and transplant plants. They serve customers, provide information and advice.