REPORT Outcomes of Automotive Engineering Study Programs JP 516729-2011 Development and Improvement of Automotive and Urban Engineering Studies in Serbia
DIAUSS project has an objective to develop new curriculums for the support of the automotive industry. The general idea is to support the automotive industry in Serbia (as the largest exporter in the country) and to increase the quality and potential of the labour force as well as increasing employability of university graduates. The first specific project objective is the establishment and/or improvement of bachelor and master studies in automotive engineering. A number of important documents and analyses both on a national and international level state the importance of the automotive industry for the economic development of the Republic of Serbia. The spectrum of documents is wide, starting from the National Economical Strategy following by the report Serbia Autos Report Q1 2009, available at http://www.reportbuyer.com/go/bmi03374 which forecasts that the Serbian automotive sector will soon recover from the economic downturn, rebounding strongly from 2010, with the industry set for a revival following Fiat's take-over of national carmaker Zastava. According to other relevant documents such OECD and SEIPA reports, Fiat Automobiles Serbia is reviving the Automotive Industry, not only in Kragujevac but in Serbia as a whole. The Italian carmaker invested EUR700mn to ensure that production at Kragujevac will reach close to 300,000 units per annum by 2013, serving both the EU and Russian markets. There are a number of issues in supporting the automotive industry in Serbia, one very important issue is education of the labor force that will fit the needs of Fiat Automobile Serbia as well as other producers of auto components in Serbia. In this specific task Universities in Serbia have to play an important role. It is important to develop and upgrade study programs at bachelor and master levels in order to provide specific knowledge, skills, and attitudes and thus educating students for the needs of the automotive industry. Under the mentorship of EU partners (POLITO and UNIBO) and participation of relevant national institutions (RCCK, FAS, RACCS), the specification of learning outcomes (what a student should learn as a result of automotive engineering study programs - both on bachelor and master level) was created. Foreign role models, the needs of the Serbian automotive industry as well as other stakeholders ideas and recommendations stated in specific European reports and guidelines were used in the definition of needed competences for graduate students. The recommendation developed by IDEA qualification profile and ASIIN were also used in the development of the outcomes for the study programs. 2 P a g e
1. Bachelor programs The study program of automotive engineering on bachelor level developed at Faculty of Engineering, University of Kragujevac was designed in a way that enables enrolled students to acquire general and subject-specific competencies as defined by the leading engineering schools and associations engaged in the education of automotive engineers at bachelor study level. The graduate student shall be able to: 1. analyze engineering problems related to: o identification, abstracting, complete formulation and problem solving based on an acquired fundamental knowledge system, o analysis and evaluation of products, processes and procedures in line with the key elements of systems theory, o selection, application and development of appropriate methods for the analysis of modelling, simulation and optimization; 2. use modern engineering tools for modelling, simulation, calculations and design; 3. understand the principles of synthesis, design and construction of machinery, equipment, engineering software and processes, at the level of acquired academic knowledge of basic science and engineering disciplines; 4. use literature in accordance with the needs of expanding her/his knowledge; 5. understand the application of learned techniques and methods, including their limitations; 6. combine theoretical knowledge and practical skills to analyze and solve practical engineering problems; 7. evaluate and use information from a wide range of engineering and other disciplines in the context of consideration of specific problems; 8. independently analyze and prepare relevant technical documentation; 9. present his ideas and communicate with the working environment, 10. obtain skills and knowledge in relevant areas of economic and legal sciences (organization, entrepreneurship, intellectual property, etc..); 11. understand the relationships in the broader context of economic, environmental and ethical issues. Attending the study program, students acquire a wide base of engineering knowledge, skills and experience, which should make her/him confident and capable to contribute (individually or in a team) to solving practical problems in the field of automotive engineering. Beside, the knowledge should provide a completely adequate basis for her/his continuing education. The expected outcomes are as follows: 3 P a g e
1. knowledge of fundamental disciplines in the field of automotive engineering (mathematics, thermodynamics, mechanics, etc..) to a level that is expected of the profile engineers in EU countries; 2. knowledge of mechanical drawings with standard rules for drawings, projections and sections, dimensional and shape tolerances as well as CAD and relations between general drawing of a subassembly and the drawings of all the single components; 3. knowledge of automotive engineering materials: metallic materials (steel, cast iron, aluminium as a minimum, with elements to understand the new class of steel such as UHSS and similar) and polymeric materials (thermosetting and thermo-plastic polymers, fibber reinforced plastics, rubber, adhesive, structural foam, etc.); 4. knowledge of computer tools, programming skills and the use of information technology for the purpose of automotive engineering; 5. knowledge of acquired in the context ("knowledge as the ability to arrive to the information and its creative use"); 6. mastering the broader context of engineering problems perceiving, which means taking into account economic, environmental, social and organizational relations; 7. understanding different approaches and methodologies for analysis and synthesis of systems, facilities and processes, as well as reading and writing of relevant technical documentation. 4 P a g e
2. Master programs The objectives of automotive engineering study programs on master level developed at four Serbian Universities are related to providing teaching academic skills and specific knowledge (competence) in accordance with the current practice of Automotive engineering studies at the level of graduate studies. This distribution of roles and study programs respects the different regions in Serbia and the needs of specific regions according to the structure of the industry in each region. During studying period a student acquires general skills: the ability to expand and deepen the fundamental knowledge gained in undergraduate studies, that provide the opportunity for genuine development and / or applying ideas, often within a research context; the ability to apply knowledge, understanding of the studied phenomenon, acquired skills of solving engineering problems in new or unfamiliar environments within the larger context of a multidisciplinary or specialized areas of study; the ability to integrate knowledge and to use it in a complex problem-setting, to formulate proper judgments and conclusions on the basis of incomplete or limited information; ability to clearly and unambiguously communicate own conclusions based on rational considerations and operational knowledge with professionals from the field of automotive engineering and those who are not from the field; learning skills and the ability to adopt new methodologies and concepts, so she/he can independently direct, organize and achieve expansion of the knowledge and competencies regardless of continuing her/his formal education. Attending study programs, a student expands and deepens the acquired the engineering knowledge, skill and experience from the previous level of study and acquire specialized knowledge, skills and experience to make him/her more selfconfident and capable to individually and in a team contribute to research and development activities. Depending of a study program, a student should be capable to solve specific problems in the fields of mechanical/electrical/industrial engineering and related interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary areas. The expected outcomes are as follows: 5 P a g e
knowledge and skills in the field of automotive engineering at the graduate level studies defined by the role model EU university study programs; specific knowledge and skills acquired through laboratory work, study research, work on the project tasks and practical work, which includes: knowledge of instrumentation, information technology, technical resources and elements, the essential concepts of systems engineering and mechatronics (Novi Pazar) in terms of system integration), production and maintenance organizations and other relevant specific areas; mastery of methods and tools for analysis, synthesis, design and manufacturing: CAD, CAM, CAE, FEA, FMEA and other tools and specialized computer programs (Kragujevac, Novi Sad); mastery of methods and tools for analysis, synthesis, design of automotive electric components and systems (Nis); understanding procedures of WCM (World Class Manufacturing) procedures and techniques that FIAT has adopted for their plants all over the world (Kragujevac); mastery of knowledge acquired in the context ("knowledge as the ability to arrive at the information and its creative use"); proficiency in the broader context of consideration of engineering and research issues, including consideration of economic, environmental, organizational and social relations. 6 P a g e