OREANDA-NEWS. September 14, 2012.  Brunswick Rail, one of the leading Russian private freight railcar operating lessors, is expanding its programme of scholarships for students of railway engineering. Students from the Siberian Transport University in Novosibirsk will be eligible for scholarships in the 2012-2013 academic yvear, joining their counterparts from Moscow State University of Railway Engineering and St Petersburg State Transport University. The number of scholarships available will increase to 40.

Brunswick Rail scholarships are open to full-time students in their second to fifth years of study. The scholarships are awarded on a competitive basis by a committee of experts from Brunswick Rail who assess candidates’ progress in their field of study and their essays on topical issues in the Russian rail sector. The monthly stipend for scholarship holders this academic year will be 10,000 rubles.

Vladimir Khoroshilov, Brunswick Rail’s Managing Director / Business Development Director, commented: “Brunswick Rail is running its scholarship programme for a second year. It is important for us to be involved in bringing up the next generation. The first year of the programme clearly showed us the need for such initiatives — both for young people who may come to work in the sector and for the industry as a whole — and that it was the right thing for us to do. Brunswick Rail’s scholarships give students the opportunity to devote more time and attention to their studies, and in the medium term will help us to attract talented and diligent young people to the railways.”

Vladimir Vereskun, Rector of the Siberian Transport University, added: “We are delighted that Brunswick Rail has offered to include our University in its scholarship programme. We are confident that such scholarships will help to increase the prestige of an education in railway engineering, and will motivate young people to stay in the sector and the region where they are so badly needed.”

Valentin Vinogradov, Provost for Study Programmes at Moscow State University of Railway Engineering, said: “We welcome scholarship programmes offered by the private sector like this one. First, students are given solid financial support. Second, they have the opportunity to gain knowledge from expert practitioners in the transport services market. For example, last year our scholarship-holders attended a round table organised by Brunswick Rail to discuss current issues in the sector. Hearing about this at first-hand during their studies was both valuable and interesting.”

Valery Kovalev, Rector of St Petersburg State Transport University, added: “This is the second year that our students have participated in the Brunswick Rail scholarship programme. We believe that such programmes not only provide financial assistance to students but also help the sustainable development of the railways sector as a whole. It is vitally important to support student’s desire to study and to work on the railways after graduating.”

The Brunswick Rail scholarship programme

Brunswick Rail launched the programme in 2011-2012, when it awarded 32 scholarships.

In 2012-2013, scholarships will be open to second- to fifth-year students on the following courses:
Railcars;
Railway Rolling Stock (majoring in Locomotives, Railcars, Rolling Stock Production and Maintenance);
Organisation and Management of Rail Transportation;
Railways Operation (majoring in Mainline Transportation, Freight and Commercial Transportation, Industrial Transportation).

Participating universities will accept applications until 10 October 2012. Brunswick Rail’s committee of experts will consider all applications and announce the list of successful students by 23 October 2012.