1.

BACKGROUND AND MOTIVATION

Recently, ITMO University has developed a sustainable collaborative network with research and educational partners around the globe. ITMO University collaborates with over 100 institutions on a variety of educational projects, double degrees, short and long-term learning projects (Fig. 1). ITMO participates in a variety of international programs, including Fulbright, Erasmus Mundus, Photonics21, DAAD and Unesco-Unevoc [1].

Figure 1.

Global partners of ITMO University [1]

Education globalization and internalization are implemented mainly according to the Excellence Program “National Research University” and the program for enhancing the competitiveness of the ITMO University among the world’s leading research and educational centers “5 to 100”. IT and Photonics and Optics have been selected as the most “powerful” educational fields for the international growth.

The educational and research school on optical design and engineering is among the oldest in ITMO. It was established in 1930s by Professor Churilovsky. Nowadays, ITMO University is a leading Russian center for education and research in applied optics. This explains a strong interest for cooperation on the part of many well-known world universities.

On the other hand, the optics group at Warsaw University of Technology is internationally recognized in the field of optical metrology and development of measurements systems. The education and research in optics started back in 1953, first at the Faculty of Precision Mechanics (since 1996 the Faculty of Mechatronics) and since the beginning it has been the leading Polish center in optical and photonics engineering. Specifically, the Faculty of Mechatronics has participated in Erasmus Mundus Masters (EMM) “OpSciTech: Optics in Science and Technology” [2] since 2009. The OpSciTech consortium (Institut d’Optique and Universite Paris-Sud11 (France), Imperial College London (The United Kingdom), Delft University of Technology (The Netherlands), Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) and Warsaw University of Technology (Poland)) have provided different tracks in optical engineering education. ITMO has also been involved in providing invited lecturers on optical design for WUT and Delft Technical University. The experience gained during running this course has provided a perfect background for establishing the Master double-degree program in “Optical Design”.

2.

DDP CONCEPT AND STRUCTURE

The department of Applied and Computer Optics (ACO) of ITMO University has developed a roadmap for international advancement. Within the framework of this roadmap an access to the international market of educational services by way of cooperation with global universities, research and educational institutions and development of joint educational programs has been proposed as a key goal and prospective progress direction.

Similarly WUT has realized since 2000 the intensive process of internationalization [3] which includes development of several courses with English as the language of instruction followed by signing of numerous double degree master programs in the field of informatics, aviation, mathematics, automatics and robotics and others with partners from the USA, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, South Korea, Ukraine and Russia.

In 2013 there was developed a joint double-degree master program “Optical Design” (DDP) between ACO and Warsaw University of Technology – WUT. The DDP was developed according to the Law on Education in Russian Federation N 273-Ф3, from Dec.29, 2012 and ITMO Statement on the network realization of educational programs including international cooperative educational programs. The DDP prescribed equal studies in ITMO and WUT and was regulated by the agreement on joint educational activities, joint curricula and learning schedule, mutual recognition of the admittance procedures and attestation, common commission on thesis defenses, and two diplomas.

The DDP aims to prepare world-class highly qualified experts in the growing field of optical engineering synthesizing scientific and professional expertise of ITMO and WUT and providing students with in-built mobility periods in partner universities.

The developed master program is innovative, sophisticated and modular. It focuses on professional competence development in the optical design area. The program provides learning oriented for scientific and professional activities in high-tech areas connected with optical and optoelectronics devices, optical technologies, math’s and computer methods. It is built on the scientific basis of applied and computer optics, photonic technologies, optoelectronics and CAD appliances and is oriented at the optical system design with application of computer modeling instruments, optical phenomena investigation, theory and methods of image formation, development of methods for optical performance analysis and testing; design of optical layouts, planning of experiments, optical measurements and investigations. The authors of the program aimed to get a competitive graduate to accomplish a wide range of optical tasks connected with design and manufacturing of optical systems and devices.

The program relevance is in the implementation of a multilateral master learning approach. A synthetic and variable approach to the curricula development and content provides a flexible program modification, allows taking into consideration current job market demands and responding adequately to its changes.

A synthesis of a unique teaching staff experience in education and research of both partners and combination of advanced educational technologies and computer modeling methods (ITMO) and experimental studies in modern laboratories (WUT) is a special feature of the master program.

The total workload of the program is 120 ECTS (Fig.2). The program includes general scientific and professional modules, which consists of core and elective courses. Elective courses compose 30% of the courses and provide development of individual learning paths and program’s adoption. A considerable load of the student’s research and internship (60 ECTS) provides the project and practice-oriented concept of studies and implements the professional experience growth.

Figure 2.

DDP modules

The DDP structure and list of courses is shown in Fig.3. Training methods include lectures, laboratory experiments, master-classes, seminars, research, projects, internship, and independent work.

Figure 3.

DDP structure [4]

3.

DDP REALIZATION AND FIRST OUTCOMES

The first enrollment of students for this program was in 2013 in the ITMO University (4 students). During the first academic year students took courses according to the curricula. The students showed a high level of motivation for learning and research, they successfully passed the IELTS exam. During the second academic year the students are taught in the WUT. Despite an unusual learning and social environment, the students passed the exams well and are now working on their final papers which are to be defended in the WUT before a joint board of both Universities via Skype.

The second enrollment in 2014 differed in a high competition level among ITMO attendees. After entrance examinations and portfolio contest two from nine attendees were enrolled to the DDP. Two students from the WUT were enrolled to the DDP in 2014 as well. Thus, four students from both Universities started their studies. Remarkably, the WUT students are interested in the DDP due to the Poland job market demands in the “Optical Design” professional area. Both WUT students are sponsored by companies for which they will work in future. Motivation of the ITMO students is based mainly on a desire for studying in an international environment with application of modern educational technologies and equipment.

In general, according to responses of the ACO students and teaching staff, the DDP has become a stimulus for the transition to a new quality level of education due to reconsideration and reorientation of course contents, bringing relevance to research and internship topics in accordance with the world job market demands, application of modern specialized software and up-to-date laboratory equipment, training in international environment, and cooperation with partner scholars.

CONCLUSION

ITMO and WUT Universities find that mutual cooperation in education is fruitful and prospective. First outcomes of the DDP “Optical Design” are positive and promising. The main features of this initiative are excellent in matching the job market and skillful usage of expertise and resources of both Universities.

Development of a joint network PhD program will be the next step. At the same time the cooperation will be expanded with advancement of joint research projects, academic exchange programs, short-term educational programs etc.