The leading scientific university of the Altai region, Altai State Technical University (ASTU) is one of a number of universities of the city of Barnaul, Altai Krai, Russia. It is one of the largest institutions of higher learning in Russia. It was founded in February of 1942 based on the Zaporozhye Engineering Institute. Altay State University was named after Ivan Polzunov who was the famous Barnaul inventor. The University offers full-time, part-time, extramural and distant training. On graduating students receive degrees of Bachelor and diplomas of specialist. Post-graduate courses are also offered. The facilities of the university include: 7 academic buildings, a complex of hostels, a large scientific library, computing center, publishing house, student clubs, a theater (the Kaleidoscope student theatre), a preventive clinic, as well as a skiing lodge, sports and rest camp by the river Ob.