The Some Aspects of the Reconstruction of the Higher Engineering Education in Ukraine

Abstract

For many years there is a sharp decline in the number of applicants seeking engineering education in Ukraine. The trend has a direct threat to the economic situation and the existence of the Ukrainian state, because there are engineers and workers who determine GDP growth in our country, increase a welfare, a social benefits, an ability to reform the tax, judicial, law enforcement and health care systems, increasing of the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, etc. Instead, today the most popular specialties among entrants are: foreign philology, law, international economics and psychology. The purpose of the article is to analyse main changes necessary for the implementation in the higher engineering education to level up graduates’ ability to solve the complex problems of technology and research in the industrial enterprises. The analysis of the reasons leading to the decline of the engineering education in Ukraine is conducted. Classification of factors that are the determinants for maintenance of high-quality engineering education is provided. Main factors that determine the popularity of engineering education and ways to increase its prestige are analysed. In particular, emphasis is placed on improving of the quality of secondary education, including mathematics and physics, on the importance of basic education of mechanical engineers, state policy in advertising engineering education, workload and wages, material-technical support, etc. It was proposed to gradually reduce the annual workload and to increase the allowances for the degree. The list of general engineering courses, fundamental in the training of a mechanical engineer, was provided.