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60th ANNIVERSARY OF THE FACULTY OF ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OF THE SLOVAK UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY IN BRATISLAVA
František Janíček
Training of electrical engineers in Slovakia started at the Department of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering of the Slovak Technical
University (SVŠT). Its official foundation dates back to 3 July 1940, but at that time there was only the Division of Mechanical
Engineering. The Division of Electrical Engineering was founded by Government Decree No 168 of 17 July 1941. At that time, the first two
years of study had the same curriculum for all students. Diversification started only in the third year of study, from the academic year
1942-43.
In 1950-51 the Department turned into the Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering. From it the independent Faculty of Electrical
Engineering, Slovak Technical University (SVŠT) arouse only a year later, on 2 October 1951. For almost 40 years it acted under the same
name. In April 1991 SVŠT was transformed into the Slovak University of Technology (STU) and on 1 November 1994 also the original name of
the faculty was changed to the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology STU.
More changes, however, have been made in the content of study and structure of the Faculty. The original two institutes (Institute of Low
Voltage and High Frequency Electrotechnology and Institute of Electromagnetic Theory) were gradually complemented by other institutes.
Also programs of study have undergone numerous changes. The two original programs were gradually extended and their number and branching
culminated in the years 1989-90 when there were 10 programs with 21 specialisations and 6 types of individualised programs. Since 1990-92
there has been a substantial reduction to 5 programs:
- Automation
- Electronics
- Information Technology
- Materials Engineering
- Power Engineering
After the year 1989, thanks to a new University Code as well as to new opportunities of cooperation with foreign universities, a process of
adjustment to arrangement at these universities started. The academic rights and freedom have been legalised so securing fulfillment of the
basic mission of universities in civilised countries.
Since 1993, the Faculty has been offering undergraduate and graduate programs, based on credit units earning, as well as a postgraduate
program. Programs leading to bachelor's degree are planned for 4 nominal years. In the first year of study the curriculum is the same for
all students, whereas the second year is split into two branches. These are:
- Automation and Information Technology
- Power Engineering, Materials Engineering and Electronics
The essential principle of obtaining specialism is the possibility to opt courses in the last years of study. After successfully
accomplishing study requirements, passing the final exam including submission of a final project, a bachelor's degree is conferred.
Master's degree of engineering focuses on deeper and more specified knowledge and skills in the given areas. The degree (Ing) is conferred
after satisfactory accomplishment of the program, defense of the thesis and a pass of the state exam.
Postgraduate study is a significant part of university training. A faculty with a wide scope of research activities can provide a good
basis for this kind of program. To the graduates the PhD degree is conferred.
The credit system, which is in full compliance with the European Credit Transfer System, permits adjustment of the pace of study according
to dispositions of individual students. At the same time it allows accomplishment of a part of study at a different university which
enhances the quality of training.
The quality of training is highly valued by the Faculty. The Accreditation Commission of the Slovak government granted to the Faculty not
only the right of conferring degrees in all the programs but also the right to habilitate associate professors and to inaugurate professors
in all specialisations. Ambition of the Faculty, however, exceeds the boundaries of Slovakia. It can be demonstrated by the fact that the
Faculty has been accredited in the area of Information Technology by an international body of electrical engineers - IEE. It means that the
Faculty confers Bc degrees which are an equivalent to the British BEng degree, and Ing degrees - an equivalent to MEng. At present,
accreditation of other areas is being prepared.
After 1990, international cooperation of the Faculty acquired a new dimension. A number of different projects launched within different
programs, like TEMPUS, COST, COPERNICUS, SOCRATES or LEON\-ARDO, have created a good basis for it. So did the bilateral programs with the
neighboring countries. These projects not only enhance the development of cooperation but at the same time they also bring considerable
financial contribution. A very important part of international cooperation are the direct contacts of the university tutors and researchers
with reputable international partners. Last, but not least scientific and specialists events, conferences, symposia, and workshops are to
be mentioned.
Over a thousand of computers, tens of computer labs and a fast computer network based on optical fiber technology represent an integral
part of the modern infrastructure of the Faculty. In 2000, thanks to the contribution of sponsors, a computer lab with 80 desktop computers
was opened, other ones are being built. Equipment of the national academic node of SANET runs round the clock. Last year the focus of the
central information system shifted to the www platform with direct access to specialised information systems and databases. These are
gradually being upgraded and adapted to the latest trends.
Publicizing the latest scientific findings and information belongs also to the roles of universities. As a rule, they are published in
scientific journals. The Faculty has been investing considerable funds into building a large collection of scientific and specialist
journals dedicated to electrotechnology, informatics, and applied physics and mathematics. This also enhances the quality of studies at the
Faculty.
The Faculty is a co-publisher of several scientific and technical journals. These are, first of all, the Journal of Electrical Engineering,
further Computing and Informatics and Tatra Mountains Mathematical Publications. Together with prominent companies and institutions the
Faculty publishes also a journal devoted to electrical and power engineering - EE. The Faculty witnessed the birth of the journal for
automation, AT&P Journal, and participates in publishing the journal Telecommunications. In co-operation with the British Council the
Faculty publishes the journal aiming to support the education in English language - ESP Spectrum Slovakia.
At occasion of 60th anniversary, two double-issues of the Journal of Electrical Engineering, 7-8 and 9-10, are devoted to the
presentation of scientific results achieved at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology and to describing diverse
activities of its single departments.
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