Implementation of the new Law of Ukraine "On Higher Education" raises many questions among students and teachers.
Editorial office "KP" applied to the first rector of "KPI" academician Yu.I.Yakymenka to clarify how the implementation of the law are provided in our university.
- Yuri Ivanovich, please, tell us a few words about the features of the new law and innovation in training in the KPI.
- Actual problems of any university, and KPI in particular – is the training that would successfully integrated into the current domestic and European labor market using the experience of European training system. A few years ago schools were regulated to limite content of training programs. The new law on higher education, in creation of which representatives of the KPI actively took part , including M.Zhurovskyy who was the head of the working group, has opened up new possibilities, especially given more autonomy to higher education institutions. Now we want to take this maximum autonomy to fully implement the opportunities provided by law in the new school year.
Implementing continuous training in three cycles: Bachelor - Master - PhD, University self-defined the list of specializations that are caused by two main factors - market needs and scientific schools recognized departments. The next step is the formation of innovative curriculums, reduction and optimization of the number of subjects based on their need and wit out any loss of fundamental under-preparation, the widespread introduction of information technologies in educational process. All current information about the implementation of the new law in the educational process are published at the Department of Academic osvita.kpi.ua.
- Sometimes networks or forums are contained comments that "teach" seems unnecessary because it is enough to passspecialized courses to enter the labor market.
- Do not forget that "KPI" is a university, academic institution, and we aims not to teach programmer who only a few years will be able to work in the market - it is a task of Vocational schools. Modern specialist should be armed not only a specific set of knowledge, but he should has the ability to learn independently throughout life and has the ability to solve complex problems. This requires a strong fundamental knowledge, which is always celebrated the KPI and that enables creative development and improvement. Speaking of demand for the fundamental training: in our university the corporation Boeing opened a training center and invites further work for the company especially professionals who possess fundamental knowledge, including classical mechanics, strength of materials, etc. At the lecture, which recently was acted by KPI Nobel laureate Dan Shechtman, he said: "The way to become a true professional - is necessarily broad fundamental training, followed by immersion in relevant professional fields."
- The KPI always has a responsible attitude to the quality of education.
- Yes, a priority for us - a leading technical university of the country - was and remains the quality of training. It has the quality of teaching and quality of education, ie qualification level of teachers and students ability to take training. As for the teachers, the demands on them are constantly increasing in the KPI. First of all there is extremely competitive selection of contract for 1-2 years, and then only in the case of a positive report they can be extended to work at the university. This department is obliged to constantly monitor the professional level of teachers, including through the public lectures. Something it is quite slowly changing generations of teachers - every year 100 young graduates replace our veterans. But along with the professional assessment of colleagues it is very important for us an objective assessment fron our the students. In the university campus the new option "Teacher With Student Eyes" was implemented. In December last year, 2,231 students (about 10% of all students) appreciated the work of teachers in 1109 (35% of all teachers). Now we are trying to improve the system in order to attract to it absolute majority students. KPI never lowered the bar to the demands of their students. But the problem today is difficult and complex. And it begins with the applicants. Our system of selection is very strict. It's no secret that we are looking for the best school graduates. But even with our high admission requirements - at least 140 points and External testing in physics - in the first and second courses we have to "improve" their knowledge of mathematics and physics and other disciplines. At the same time we try to help everyone who is willing and able to learn, but still have to count for the failure of a significant number of students (30% in 4 years).
- In the whole world online a communication between teachers and students becomes widespread.
- The current education system is not possible without the support of e-learning process. Because of the high cost KPI can not buy the professional university system type Blask Board. And the rector was tasked to create its own system of "electronic campus". It was developed and launched by the enthusiasts - teachers and students of the university. The beginning of work discovered certain problems and shortcomings in the system. So now it is established a working group, which during the spring semester has to improve it and make convenient and effective for communication between teachers and students. Our goal is the complete transition to electronic support of all the components of the educational process.
- Students discuss about wide range of subjects which they can choose to study. What do you think about this?
- New curriculums provides that students can choose to study on their own not less than 25% of subjects. Today two categories is upcoming, which are chosen by students of bachelors: the discipline of Economics and humanities, which has 10% of total training and special that form the trajectory of their professional training at the appropriate spesialization and are filled with the respective graduating department. Students will also be able to choose the trajectory of specialized disciplines that go into the preparation of Master Plan and then PhD.
- Another issue – is the choice of individual training, especially the magistracy, and requirements for foreign languages.
- In discussing sometimes we can hear the view that KPI gave only an elite education or taught only a limited number of students which can self-study units disciplines and the university took place only advice and scientific debate. At Bachelors level it is difficult to introduce an elite education, because we should be orientated on the average level of applicants, whith not limiting, but promoting the learning of the highest level. With attention and understanding, we are taking into account an individual characteristics, take any and all freshmen to motivate them further to stimulate learning and effective creative work, to help everyone realize themselves. Availability of success with the professional evaluation and assessment of foreign language constitute integral-ranking graduate degree and considered in the competitive selection of the magistracy.
But in the master we quite clearly have launched such an elite education since the new school year for all students. They passed the competitive selection and have to prove that they correspond to the educational and scientific level master. For them we will introduce the most individualized learning. This may be courses and trainings, including an electronic form, on-line courses leading by Western professors that teach complex problem solving, decision which should be made in difficult conditions and so on. And Master training managers not only formally read lectures but carry out coordinated and personalized program, in which students will learn to master and then go out on a PhD. The scientific workis obligated for Masters, solving complex practical problems. The opportunities for it is opened by the participation in the startup project of the Science Park of KPI.
As for language training. We are the only one technical university where foreign study within four years of undergraduate (standard program - two courses). Also we put forward high requirements for admission to Master's and postgraduate defined with level B2.
- Returning to the beginning of our conversation, therefore, under the new law our university achived more independence and autonomy .
- Yes, the stage of development of the law is over and now we are responsible for its implementation. To achieve change at the university can only efforts of both sides: the teachers and students. So we welcome the cooperation of all concerned. Student initiatives are always understanding and supporting in the KPI.