Transformation of higher education in civil engineering and quality of training of graduates

Abstract

Introduction. Currently, there are numerous discussions concerning a relevant issue – the impact of transformations of the higher education system on the quality of graduates of technical universities. It is important to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of modern higher education in construction in comparison with one of the Soviet period and to define the direction it should be developed in the future. The present article analyzes the changes that higher education in construction has undergone since 1955 to the present time. Materials and methods. The data used in the analysis include regulatory documents which regulated the implementation of educational activities in different years: orders, classifiers, model curricula and state educational standards. The requirements to the structure and results of the study of educational programs in the field of construction were analyzed. Results. The analysis showed that over the past decades, higher education in construction has undergone significant changes. Fundamental transformations took place at the turn of the millennium when changing from a disciplinary to a competence model of education, as well as from direct government management of the education system to the normative legal regulation of educational activities. If in Soviet times, training was delivered under model curricula of construction specialties, now training is mainly performed according to Bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, the content of which educational institutions determine independently on the basis of educational standards. Conclusions. The performed analysis identified the deficiencies in the modern system of higher education. The imperfection of the regulatory framework, the deficiencies of the competence approach make it impossible to ensure quality training of specialists in the construction industry. This involves improvement of higher education system, including in the field of construction. It is necessary to establish more detailed requirements to the study results and the content of educational programs. It requires among educational standards, exemplary basic educational programs.