October 31 – November 2, 2018, the representatives of Tallinn University of Technology Virumaa College (Kohtla-Järve, Estonia), a new partner university, came to Polotsk State University. Among the representatives were Viktor Andreev, Director, and Mare Roozilekht, Development Director. The cooperation with Virumaa College was established in winter 2018, when an application for a joint project in the sphere of higher education modernization to the Republic of Estonia Ministry of Foreign Affairs was sent. This summer, Estonian government approved the application and provided funding for the implementation of the project.
The project aims to improve the educational process in the following disciplines at PSU:
- “Chemical Technology of Natural Energy Sources and Carbon Materials”;
- “Machine-building Technology”;
- “Radio Engineering (Programmable Radio-Electronic Devices)”
- “Modelling and Computer-aided Design of Radio-Electronic Devices”
- “Design and Production of Software-Controlled Electronic Devices”
- “Computer, Systems and Networks”
- “Software Support of Information Technologies”
These programs are similar to bachelor and master’s degree programs of Tallinn University of Technology Virumaa College.
Project tasks – investigation of optimal didactic principles and techniques, and innovation methods and techniques for their common use in the educational process. The expected results coincide with the strategic plans for PSU development. In particular, the plans to introduce the most modern approach to the educational process organization and higher education quality assurance when changing to student-, practice- and results-oriented education that is formed in cooperation with employers, graduates, students and regional communities.
PSU aim to become a “Bologna University” is only achievable after its involvement in the best educational practices. This project, funded by the Estonian government, is very important for our university in increasing its attractiveness in the international arena and improving its image as an international higher educational establishment, open to innovations and cooperation.
The representatives of Virumaa College visited the Departments and laboratories of Information Technologies, Radio Engineering and Mechanics and Technology Faculties. During the business meetings, PSU representatives together with the guests exchanged information about the traditions and general information about the Universities. Besides, they discussed our university’s strong points and the aspects that should be improved.
Svetlana Vegera, First Vice-Rector of PSU, informed our guests about the university development general direction, its history, educational traditions and tendencies. Sergey Peshkun, Head of the International Office, presented the main results of international activities and internationalization concept of PSU. Nadezhda Boreiko, Head of the Department of Studies, told the guests about the preliminary work done in the sphere of the educational process improvement. Besides, she shared the achievements in changing to the competence approach in education. The representatives of Tallinn University of Technology Virumaa College presented the information about their preliminary works and achievements. Thus, Zhanna Gracheva, Director of the educational program “Telematics and Smart Systems”, Sergey Pavlov, Director of the educational program “Processes Automation”, Ana Yurkevichute, Director of the educational program “Chemistry and Fuel Technology” and Antonina Zguro, Director of the educational program “Chemical Technology” informed our representatives about their programs of education and the educational technologies and techniques used.
The following PSU representatives participated in the co-operative activities:
- Alexander Dudan – Dean at the Faculty of Mechanics and Technology;
- Nikolai Popok – Head of the Department of Technology and Equipment of Machine-building Industry;
- Irina Buraya – Head of the Department of Technology and Equipment of Oil and Gas Processing;
- Dmitry Antonovich – Head of the Department of Power Engineering and Electronics;
- Oksana Golubeva – Head of the Department of Software Engineering;
- Rykhard Bohush – Head of the Department of Computing Systems and Networks
During informal meetings, both sides discussed the opportunities for beneficial cooperation within and outside the project, indicated the common interests and the activity directions. On November 1, the two groups discussed the scientific part of the project, work plan for its implementation and the immediate prospects. The two sides agreed that in April 2019, 9 PSU representatives will visit Kohtla-Järve in order to study the best practices of the partner university and discuss the ways to adapt them to the educational culture at PSU. We have had only one scientific project – STIMEY, funded by the European Community. Nowadays, PSU starts implementing the second scientific research project. Besides, the research results in the sphere of pedagogy of higher education and teaching methodology in education process will be applied. The gradual transition to the Estonian-Belarusian initiatives and the implementation of four more international projects in related spheres will open up new horizons for cooperation and educational reform at Polotsk State University.
Siarhey Piashkun
Photos: Polina Kosarevskaya