On the Hybrid Nature of Reforming the Traditional Structure of Engineering Education

Though containing certain review elements, this article is a research one, as it considers the hybrid nature of reforming the traditional structure of engineering education and the peculiarities of university management when the hybrid system of higher education is being formed. The systematic analysis of the reforms nature and of the traditional structure of higher education transformation in Russia identified a new problem area that is relevant for the development of national higher education – the hybrid educational structures formation as a result of mixing various educational systems. The paper presents the results of studying the hybrid educational structures and hybrid forms of the educational process organization. There is traced the influence of hybrid transformations of educational programs, curricula and educational technologies within engineering universities over the quality of engineers’ training. The formation of hybrid algorithms for assessing the students’ academic achievements and educational models of graduates from engineering universities is discussed. The study showed that the reason for the failure of the engineering educational reform transformations is education sector top managers’ misunderstanding of the reforms hybrid nature. The results obtained can become a basis for adjusting managerial decisions both at federal and at university levels. Moreover, there is a need to revise the reform strategy for engineering education with the help of scientifically-based and far-reaching forecasts of its improvement. The solution of such complex problems of managing hybrid educational structures requires advanced university management training, creative atmosphere and innovation in the university management system. The article is original and important, as it introduces new ideas about the essence of reforming engineering education into the scientific knowledge. The authors did not manage to find any publications on studying the hybrid nature of structural transformations of Russian engineering education.