Teaching Design Principles for Engineering at University Level

Teaching Design Principles for Engineering at University Level New Skill Sets for Master of Science Studies in Engineering, PAC Nevena Mileva, Plovdiv University, Bulgaria ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria S 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUSECUE

Performance-centered Adaptive Curriculum for Employment Needs S Knowledge economy needs the ability to learn to produce knowledge and practical insights. S The SMEs in Engineering industries in Europe face growing shortages of highly skilled workers in engineering and IT S The universities are pressured to identify the actual marketplace needs in Engineering and to offer just-intime and just-enough flexible learning ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

Many learning systems fail because of: S Problems in capturing the demand of new knowledge and in creating and updating corresponding courses and study programs. S The learning does not result in practical insights that can make a difference in real work situations S They do not manage to adapt their programs to a broader target age group (lifelong learning), and try to attract employed students, which come from companies ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

And how the business reacts S And the business won’t wait ………. . S If universities aren’t producing students with skill sets that match the industry needs, employers will go shopping elsewhere - even internationally - for graduates who do have the necessary skills. ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

One more problem in the world of SMEs S SMEs are often unable to afford hiring professionals for every job role S For them it is vital to have specialists with competencies for various job roles S In practice, this leads to the identification of job roles that are not on the list of officially recognized professions job roles that are intermediate, combine skills for two or more other job roles ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

To solve the problem… S To respond to this shift from the mass education and remain competitive, the universities are trying to adopt the ‘needs-driven’ learning approach and implement learning systems that are aware of the problems and try to overcame the problems. ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

PAC S PAC is a project for development adaptive to business and employment needs curriculum on master degree level, applying principles for education in performance-centred content management learning system http: //pac. dipseil. net ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

Innovation in PAC S Identification of new qualifications profile development S Input the business and employment into curriculum development and course design S Answer to the need of practically oriented/occupationally specific and designed for participants to acquire practical skills and know-how needed for employment in a particular job role S Providing participants with a labour-market relevant qualification – together with the university degree diploma they will receive a certificate for professional qualification as well ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

PAC Methodology with examples S Identifiing skills needs and new requirements for competences in the domain Identification of skills needs and new requirements for competences in Industrial Systems Engineering is based on a pre-defined questionnaire for „Job Role Description“ ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

PAC Methodology with examples S Jobs skills set-up, based on the published skill set models published as quality criteria for accreditation by the ECQA, defines S Performance Criteria the learner should fulfill, when he/she has finished studying the suggested materials S The performance criteria should meet the expectations of the employers ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

PAC Methodology with examples S The necessary skills and underlying knowledge are defined, the competences for job performing are determined and the matrix of learning outcomes is developed. S Then an analysis is done to identify the overlapping areas of the identified qualifications and the competence profiles of existing higher education programmes. ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

Main conclusion S Impact: while continuing to work on raising and developing national standards, address specific local industry and business needs, as part of a wider effort to build new qualifications to match emerging competence needs in the sector, we support progress towards the Europe-wide certification of qualifications together with the university degree. ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

Acknowledgment S With the support of the European Union Erasmus in the project: PAC - Performance-centered Adaptive Curriculum for Employment Needs Program ERASMUS: Multilateral Projects 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE

Thank you very much! Prof. Nevena Mileva Vice-Rector of Science and International Cooperation Plovdiv University 'Paisii Hilendarski' 24 Tzar Assen 4000 Plovdiv Bulgaria nmileva@uni-plovdiv. bg ECQA Days 11 -12. 10. 2012 Krems Austria 517742 -LLP-1 -2011 -1 -BG-ERASMUS-ECUE