Preparations for the Application of the Bologna Declaration Requirements in Estonia

Kalju Meigas and Hiie Hinrikus
Biomedical Engineering Centre, Tallinn Technical University
5 Ehitajate Road, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia

The Bologna declaration calls for the adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees, in order to promote European citizens employability, the international competitiveness of the Euro-pean higher education system, and the adoption of a system essentially based on two main cycles, undergraduate and graduate. Access to the second cycle shall require successful completion of first cycle studies, lasting a minimum of three years. The degree awarded after the first cycle shall be rele-vant to the European labour market as an appropriate level of qualification. The second cycle should lead to the master and/or doctorate degree. In order to achieve a European Higher Education standard, the involvement of professional societies at European and National level is crucial. They will be needed to formulate criteria and make recommendations in the hope of producing a harmonised out-come based on the accreditation of educational programs throughout Europe, training, continuing edu-cation, certification, and the arising questions about a regulation of the Medical and Biological Engi-neering and Sciences professions.

The study programs on BME at Bachelor and Master degree level started during the last decade in Estonia. The biomedical engineering education at Tallinn Technical University (TTU) started in the 1992-1993 academic year. Special subjects were available for students with varying backgrounds: electrical, mechanic, computing and system engineering. A new study direction "Electronics and Bio-medical Engineering" including bachelor, master and doctoral degree curriculum started in the faculty of Systems Engineering in 1997.

The new scheme of higher education meeting the requirements and recommendations as set by the Bologna declaration, was prepared and started in Estonia from the academic year 2002-03. The new study direction "Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics" with Master degree and Doctoral de-gree curriculum was developed at TTU in 2001. This curriculum follows the recommendations of the Bologna declaration. In parallel, a more traditional field of study "Electronics and Biomedical Engi-neering" will continue for the next 2 years.

Professional accreditation as a Chartered Engineer and a Euro-engineer in biomedical engineering in Estonia, means that each applicant is required to hold a certificate of secondary education. His total period of study must be at least seven years (normally more because this is not a calendar but credit year) from that point. This study period must comprise of: at least three years devoted to studies in a university (Bachelor degree) acknowledged by FEANI; two years spent gaining professional experi-ence; and a further two intermediate years. These final years must either complement University courses (Master degree), or be spent in engineering training monitored by the approved engineering institutions, or as preliminary engineering professional experience.

The Estonian National Monitoring Committee of the FEANI Register has commissions of experts in each member society of Estonian Association of Engineers (EAS). The Society for Biomedical Engi-neering and Medical Physics has similar commissions, including 4 members and 3 replacing members of BME experts. These members are responsible for putting candidates forward for the position of Estonian Chartered Engineer and Euro-Engineer, organising professional training and to accord a sys-tem of credits. Additionally in May 2001 an Estonian Committee for the Engineering Profession was created. The working institutions of this committee are the same group of experts in each EAE mem-ber society with the task of grooming engineering professionals for all levels (Applied Engineer, Di-ploma Engineer, Chartered Engineer), developing a system for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and enhancing co-operation between Universities and Industry.