How to Teach Designers and Engineers to Speak the Same Language?

The delegation of Volga State University of Service, headed by Rector Lyubov Vybornova, paid their working visit to Samara University.

In discussing implementation of two new network programs, Rector Vladimir Bogatyrev and Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Andrey Gavrilov took part from Samara University, and Rector Lyubov Vybornova and Vice Rector Natalia Kryukova from Volga State University of Service.

The parties signed the agreement on mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as on implementing in the network form two bachelor’s degree programs: 03/24/05 “Aircraft Engines” and 54.03.01 “Design.” Each of the programs will be implemented on the basis of one of the universities, and their additional modules will be implemented in the other university with the necessary competencies available.

So, for Samara University’s future engineers, who study under the program 03/24/05 “Aircraft Engines,” due to the elective part of the educational program, the module “Industrial Design and Technical Aesthetics” will be accessible, namely in the set of following disciplines: Sketching (drawing), Technical Aesthetics and Design, Colour Theory and Coloristics, Ergonomics in Industrial Design. Future designers to enroll this year in the 54.03.01 “Design” program at the University of Service will, in turn, learn a number of engineering disciplines within the framework of the module “Engineering Support for Industrial Design”: Engineering Graphics, Theory of Materials in Industrial Design, Technologies of Industrial-Facilities Production, Prototyping Technologies.

“Developing network learning is one of priorities of Samara University’s educational activities. We purposefully expand cooperation with other universities, for meaningfully filling educational programs with the disciplines providing our students with additional competencies and opportunities”, commented Vladimir Bogatyrev, Rector of Samara University.

“Starting from the new academic year, first-year students who enroll in these programs will have the opportunity for receiving competencies related to industrial design both at Samara University and at University of Service. Within the framework of these network programs, engineers and designers will learn how to interact in creating a technological project, for the purpose of eventually getting a competitive product. I am sure that students of both universities will benefit from this collaboration,” noted Lyubov Vybornova, Rector of University of Service.

For each of the two programs, one of the universities will be the base one. And as for the network part, is taken over by the teachers of the partner university. Part of activities – the lectures – will be held online, and the laboratory ones will be offline.

“Applicants of Volga State University of Service choose the program “Industrial Design,” their curriculum includes the module of engineering disciplines: this is the knowledge that will allow the designers to understand the engineering process, create projects, given modern materials and technologies. And disciplines of this module will be taught by Samara University’s teachers,” said Natalia Kryukova, Vice Rector of University of Service.

“Sometimes engineers create things impossible to be used, and designers draw things impossible to be implemented”, commented Andrey Gavrilov, Vice Rector for Academic Affairs of Samara University, results of the meeting. “And these two programs are aimed at overcoming this obstacle.”

During the discussion, other areas of development were also touched upon, including development of educational programs for the “Digital Department.”

Photo: Olesya Orina