Russian University system needs harmonizing with the higher education systems of the EU member states in order to become competitive in the world economy.
In postindustrial society the raising standards in engineer-ecological education were particularly stimulated by Bologna declarations as the consequence of the changing society requirements. They include new working conditions, an increasing demand for highly qualified and successful professionals and a consequent demand for the relevant training. Engineer-ecological standards specially adapted to European university system (degrees and qualifications) should be based on state-of-the-art, environmental and IT technologies.
Training of engineer-ecologists at technical universities in Baikal region has become a vital issue for both educational establishments and industrial enterprises. Such specialists should not only be able to improve the ecological situation in the region, but also promote its sustainable development. Creative and flexible thinking together with high professional knowledge is vitally important for engineer-ecologists in today´s swiftly changing world to make a greater contribution to their communities.
The new international ecological educational project "The development of a MA degree course "Industrial and municipal waste management" at technical universities in Baikal region" has been successfully carrying out in ISTU since 2007. It has been a part of TEMPUS-TASIS programme within a "Course Development" category. The ISTU partners (department of Mineral Processing & Environmental-Engineering) are three major European universities: Dresden Technical University, Germany; Vienna Agriculture University, Austria; Copenhagen Technical University, Denmark and two Eastern Siberia universities: SibGTU, Krasnoyarsk and BSGTU, Ulan-Ude.
Long-term objectives of the project include an introduction of a new specialization - sustainable management of industrial and municipal waste - at technical universities of the Russian Federation in the sphere of engineer-ecological education. This coursework and training strategies aim to be accepted at European universities and to comply with the regulations of Bologna declaration. Short-term objectives are to provide development and implementation of "Waste Management" MA degree course at three technical universities in Baikal region.
Realization of the project will provide increased funding and improved training facilities at technical universities. It will also unable to work out and implement new methods of teaching, ECTS and e-learning systems and to facilitate teachers´ and students´ mobility with the consequent acquisition of higher levels of language and professional competence. An important part of the project will include sharing successful experience with other technical universities in Siberia, organization of relevant seminars and conferences, development of the project site and working out of the teaching materials.
The implementation of this educational project within the framework of TEMPUS-TASIS programme should not only increase the training standards of engineer-ecologists according to European requirements, but also establish ecological education as one of the most vital and prestigious university qualifications in Baikal region.
The work is submitted to III Scientific Conference "The Problems of International Integration of Educational Standards", Czechia (Prague) - Luxembourg - France (Paris), April, 20-27, 2008. Came to the Editor´s Office on 18.03.2008.