1. J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FACULTY IN SLAVONSKI BROD
Zagreb, 9. XI 2007.

2. J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek
Mechanical Engineering Faculty in Slavonski Brod
EXPERIENCE AND CHALLENGES AFTER 3 YEARS EDUCATION ACCORDING TO „BOLOGNA PROCESS“ ON MECHANICAL ENGINEERING FACULTY (MEF) IN SLAVONSKI BROD
Prof.dr.sc. Ivan Samardžić, Dean
Prof.dr.sc. Dražan Kozak, Vice-dean for science
Doc.dr.sc. Ivica Kladarić, Vice-dean for education
Doc.dr.sc. Tomislav Šarić, Vice-dean for development and co-operation with economy
Zagreb, 9.XI 2007.

3. Content of presentation
Introduction – general data about the academic institution and its achievements so far.
The concept of study programs at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty in Slavonski Brod.
Activities over the past three years of the „Bologna process“ implementation.
Difficulties throughout the past three years of implementation of the „Bologna process“.
Conclusions.

4. Introduction
Study of mechanical engineering started at the MEF in Slavonski Brod before 45 years (since 1962). At its beginnings, the classes had been held within the Centre for study of the High Technical College in Zagreb.
Following its integration with the Mechanical and Maritime Engineering Faculty into the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture in Zagreb (FSB) in 1967, the Centre for study continued its activities as a FSB Centre for mechanical engineering study in Slavonski Brod. In 1975 “Centre” is jointed to J.J. Strossmayer University of Osijek.
In 1979, the MEF is founded and operates as a part of the „Institute for Mechanical Engineering“ of the „Đuro Đaković“ company until From then, it exists as a Faculty inside the J. J. Strossmayer University of Osijek.

5. The concept of university study programs at the MEF
Undergraduate study - 3,5 years
Graduate study – 1,5 years
Postgraduate studies (post-graduate doctoral study /PhD/ - 3 years and a three-semester specialist-post graduate study)

6. Undergraduate study (first 6 semesters are common for all students and in 7th semester there are 4 possible directions:
Design and Product Development
Production Logistics
Engineering Materials
Production Technologies

7. University graduate study – follow 4 directions started at pregraduate study (1,5 years oriented study)
Design and Product Development
Production Logistics
Engineering Materials
Production Technologies

8. Modern Production Technologies Modern Production Management
Post-graduate doctoral study /PhD/ - 3 years The first semester is common - basic collegiums Other semesters are oriented in 3 directions:
Modern Production Technologies
Modern Production Management
Design and Numerical Analysis of Product

9. Engineering Materials
Specialist-post graduate study - 3 semesters The first semester is common - basic collegiums Other semesters are oriented in 4 directions:
Engineering Materials
Structural Modelling and Numerical Analysis of Constructions
Production Technologies Application
Production Management

10. Today, the Faculty has 52 employees in 4 Departments and 2 independent Chairs, out of which:
12 full professors
5 associate professors
9 assistant professors
4 senior lecturers
3 lecturers
2 senior assistants
3 assistants
3 staff associates
9 science novices
1 system engineer and
1 laboratory technician

11. Activities over the past three years of the „Bologna process“ implementation
Preparatory seminars for students of the undergraduate study (mathematics, physics, basics of mechanical engineering, computer science, …)
“mentor work“ with student groups
The possibility of passing exams throughout the current semester by periodic knowledge tests (i.e. colloquia, seminar papers etc.)
The possibility of choosing a professor for lecture and exam
Optional repetitions of segments or whole lectures on students request
Optional selection of additional program (foreign languages, Internet work, …)
Institutional monitoring of education quality with particular emphasis on courses identified as „narrow gap“ for students.

12. Monitoring of education quality (Commission for Quality Monitoring and Improvement)
vice-dean for education
secretary
a representative of professors
an assistants representative
a students representative.

13. The position of the Commission for Quality Monitoring and Improvement at MEF in Slavonski Brod

14. The position of the Commission for Quality Monitoring and Improvement at the University

15. General questions about a college Questions about the lecturer
Student Survey in 2005/2006 academic year (… as analytic tool of constant quality improvement )
General questions about a college
Questions about the lecturer
Questions about the assistant

16. General questions about a college
Frequency of attendance to lectures
Frequency of attendance to practice classes
Frequency of lectures held
Frequency of practice classes held
Colloquia option
Exams passed

17. Frequency of attendance to lectures
Frequency of attendance of lectures 91,9 %
Possible answer
Frequency
Relative frequency (%)
a) On majority of lectures
545
91,91
b) On about 50% 22
3,71
c) Rarely attended to lecture 24
4,05
No answer 2
0,33

18. Frequency of attendance to practice classes
Frequency of attendance of practices 92,6%
Possible answer
Frequency
Relative frequency (%)
a) Regularly
549
92,58
b) Occasionally 19
3,20
c) Rarely
No answer 6
1,02

19. Exam preparation is the key motive for attendance
(out of interest 14,5%; max 22%, min 9%)
Possible answer
Frequency
Relative frequency (%)
a) it is mandatory
163
27,49
b) due to prepare for the exam
338
57,00
c) due to interest 86
14,50
No answer 6
1,01

20. Questions about the lecturer
Lecturer use appropriate approach according to students' pre-knowledge
Lectures are comprehensible
Lecturer able to raise interest in lecture
Lecturer considers students' ability to follow
Transparent evaluation grades
Lecturer is open for approach and discussion

21. Questions about the assistant
Assistant raises interest for education
Assistant considers students' ability to follow
Assistant is open for approach and discussion

22. Answers on questions
Students pre-knowledge is sufficient for the complexity of the subject
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
592
3,49
4,0
3,0 1 5
1,22
Lectures were easy to follow
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
592
3,41
4,0 1 5
1,19
Lecturer manages to raise interest for the subject
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
592
3,41
4,0 1 5
1,27
Lecturer considers students' understanding
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
592
3,56
4,0
Multiple 1 5
1,23

23. Exams procedure is transparent Valid N Mean Median Mode Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
590
3,76
4,0 1 5
1,06
Lecturer is open for approach and discussion
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
593
3,83
4,0
5,0 1 5
1,19
Assistant raises interest in subject
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
406
3,65
4,0 1 5
1,17
Assistant considers students' understanding of presented subject
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
406
3,73
4,0
5,0 1 5
1,20
Assistant is open for approach and discussion
Valid N
Mean
Median
Mode
Minimum
Maximum
Std.Dev.
406
3,90
4,0
5,0 1 5
1,19

24. Efficiency – pass exams rate
Academic year
Pass year rate
2005/06
37 %
2006/07
56 %
2007/08 ☺

25. Difficulties throughout the past three years of implementation of the „Bologna process“
Insufficient of students pre-knowledge in Physics and Mathematics
Low motivation of some students for study
Some students did not recognise possibilities of “mentor work”
2 additional lecture amphitheatre are needed as well as one bigger fully equipped laboratory
Several lab technician for practical education
A need for changes and supplement of study programs
Low motivation of young graduates to apply for positions of Scientific Novices who could contribute to implementation of “Bologna process”
Mobilty of students and professors, “learning outcomes” , …

26. Conclusions
Based upon survey response, we conclude that students rate their professors as very good on average.
Efforts on “Bologna process” implementation in our education system gave evident progress!
We shall continue to implement all positive experience in education process from other faculties to obtain prescribed goals of “Bologna process”.

27. Thank You for attention!