The training of the European Engineer: The point of view of the major Swiss universities

SUMMARY: Although scientific and technical knowledge has grown considerably, the duration of studies in engineering of architecture has remained more or less constant for all institutes of technology and universities. Therefore, students have to specialize—to make premature and restricting choices for their careers—which is contrary to the objectives of a general education. In these circumstances, solutions must be found. At the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology of Lausanne, it was decided to give, at the undergraduate and graduate level, increased emphasis to the basic body of knowledge needed by an engineer or an architect during all their professional activity. The needs of the practice, regarding the deepening of knowledge in a specific field as well as the widening of knowledge in other fields, must therefore be satisfied by continuous education. This is structured in Switzerland according to the following three points: formation through research (Ph.D); postgraduate studies, following specific programmes for the different fields; proficiency retraining courses developed in close collaboration with the professional associations. For the European engineer, the consequences of this development should be rules guaranteeing the comparability of university-level diplomas conferred by different European institutions (duration of study, entrance qualifications, general aim of education). Some international equivalence is needed particularly with respect to postgraduate studies, in order to facilitate the exchange of teachers at a high level, and to increase the mobility of engineers and architects. The establishment of a European framework for postgraduate studies (acknowledged by all), the co-ordination of programmes, and the exchange of teachers, are the major objectives of this harmonisation. © 1988, Copyright Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.