106744544
1
SELF – EVALUATION REPORT
OF THE ACADEMIC PROGRAMME
“TEXTILE AND CLOTHING TECHNOLOGY"
Riga Technical University
Faculty of Transport and Mechanical Engineering
Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology
Rīga, 2001
106744544
2
CONTENTS
Introduction .................................................................................................. 3
Textile and clothing technology within higher education in Latvia ................ 3
Brief background information on the Institute of Textile and Clothing
Technology ................................................................................................... 4
1. Aims and objectives of the study programme ........................................... 6
2. Description of the study programme ......................................................... 8
2.1. Description of the lecture courses and study papers (19.1) ............... 9
2.2. The share of core courses (subjects) and electives (19.4)............... 10
2.3. Duration of studies and scope of subjects (19.3) ............................. 11
2.4. Scope of the qualification papers (19.5)........................................... 11
2.5. Comparison of the study programme with similar programmes
offered by other institutions of higher learning (19.0). ............................. 12
2.6. Evaluation of the prospects of the study programme considering
national interests (19.6.) ......................................................................... 19
2.7. Advertising and informative literature (19.2). ................................... 20
2.8. Co-operation of structural units in the implementation of particular
study blocks (19.13)................................................................................ 20
2.9. Basic principles of progress evaluation at examinations and other
assessment tests (19.14) ........................................................................ 21
2.10. Organization of students’ practical fieldwork (industrial placement),
laboratory work, qualification papers etc. (19.15) ................................... 22
2.11. Electives offered to students (19.16) ............................................. 22
2.12. Other opportunities offered to students (19.17) ............................. 23
3. Methodological, material and technical resources. Administration of the
programme (19.9)....................................................................................... 25
5. Research and development (19.12) ....................................................... 26
6. Academic staff (19.11) ........................................................................... 27
7. Quality assurance system (19.10) .......................................................... 28
7.1. Strengths and weaknesses .............................................................. 28
7.2. Strategic development plan of the study programme (19.7) ............ 29
Summary .................................................................................................... 30
106744544
3
Introduction
Accreditation of higher education study programmes takes place
according to the Law on Establishments of Higher Education, adopted by the
Saeima (Parliament of the Republic of Latvia) on November 2, 1995; Article 9
of which stipulates the general accreditation principles of higher education
institutions. Requirements to the study programmes as well as the most
important organisational aspects related to accreditation are reflected in the
Accreditation Regulations for Higher Education Institutions approved by the
Cabinet of Ministers on November 28, 1995. Accreditation is a part of the
higher education quality assurance system, which, together with selfevaluation and evaluation by external experts, forms the main stages of a
continuous quality assurance process.
Self-assessment is a necessary pre-condition and the first step of the
accreditation of any study programme. The creation of permanently acting
quality assurance and improvement system, based on the self-evaluation, is
supposed to be the main goal of accreditation. At the stage of preparing this
self-evaluation report a steering group of 4 persons has been set up at the
Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology, where the administration,
academic staff, and students are represented. The steering group and
working groups are planning to use the quality assurance system for quality
improvement and as a tool for the further advancements in the academic
study programme “Textile and Clothing Technology” at the Riga Technical
University.
Textile and clothing technology within higher education in
Latvia
Textile and Clothing Technology is an educational subject-field
contributing to the production, distribution, dyeing or finishing of fibres of all
types (i.e. vegetable, animal, mineral fibres, as well as man-made fibres from
natural or synthetic polymers); textile films; yarns; woven, knitted, and
nonwoven fabrics, cordage and braids; clothing; household textiles; floor
coverings; geotextiles; medical, engineering, structural and other technical
textiles.
Besides the basic needs for food and shelter, garments are goods of
our very few really vital needs. Dressing is a fact of human nature. All people
wear clothes. The degree of concern with dress may vary widely, but its
presence as a rare pan-human characteristic of Homo Sapiens allows us to
conceive it as a fundamental cultural phenomenon. It is comprised of
technological (material), social (behavioural) and ideological (cognitive)
components, which influence one another in satisfying human needs. The
academic discipline of clothing and textiles is concerned with dress as a panhuman phenomenon, thus it is multidisciplinary and important to any national
culture.
106744544
4
The Latvian cultural heritage has old traditions in textile crafts, arts and
technologies that are reflected in textile science and transferred to education.
The primordial aim of the academic program “Textile and Clothing
Technology” (as a prerequisite for comprehensive (holistic) evolution of the
national culture into next generations) should be continuous scientific
reflections the subject field with its global and local developments, in spite of
any further state of affairs in labour market as well as that of educational
grants. However, up to now manufacturing of textiles and garments is the
second or third most important and progressive sector of industry in Latvia
(>15% of the total export value, employing about 3% of all working population
in the whole national economy), not to mention other sectors of professional
activities, such as services, trade, or general education (for consumers and
households).
Latvian textile and clothing industry has been a relatively successful
sector of the national economy during this century (excluding the immediate
post-war periods discontinuance of textile higher education, causing a lot of
contemporary social problems that do not exist in our neighbour country
Lithuania). A considerable number of vocationally trained employees have
formed a strong basis for human resources management within the industry
during the previous decades. Contrary to the wide network of vocational
schools, the Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology (ITCT) at the Riga
Technical University (RTU) is the sole higher educational establishment for the
textile and clothing sector in Latvia. Since 1866, when the first textile courses
were opened at the former Riga Polytechnic (later – Institute), until the turn of
the 19th and 20th centuries 144 graduates had already entered the textile
industry.
Brief background information on the Institute of Textile and
Clothing Technology
The Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology (ITCT) is an academic
unit of the Faculty of Transport and Mechanical Engineering at the Riga
Technical University providing higher education in the textile and clothing profile
within materials technology subject field at all study levels, and also carrying out
research and contractual assignments.
According to the Charter of the Riga Technical University, the Council of
the ITCT, set up on the 15th of June 1994 by the RTU Senate’s Resolution, is
the highest collegial decision-making body at the ITCT within prescribed
authority. The Council consists of 12 Council members, 25% of them (3
persons) are representatives of the students. The list of Council members is
attached to the Report (see Appendix 1).
According to the Resolution of the Latvian Council of Sciences (LCS or
LZP in Latvian)1 on September 24, 1994, an recognized internationally
1
The Latvian Council of Science (LCS) was founded in accordance with the Decision of the Council of Ministers of
Republic of Latvia in 1990. The LCS’s tasks include advancement, evaluation, financing and coordination of scientific
research in Latvia. In accordance with the Law on Scientific Activity, the LCS is a collegiate institution of the scientists
with the rights of a legal entity. The above Law determines the competence, obligations, membership and rights of
the LCS. The LCS jointly with the Ministry of Education and Research prepares the draft of the Republic’s science
budget for the current year, elaborates projects for decisions and laws aimed at development and organization of
science in Latvia. The basic structure of the LCS involves fourteen expert commissions in the various fields of
106744544
5
Habilitatation Council “RTU-11” in Engineering Sciences of Textile and Clothing
Technology were set up at the ITCT. Since 1993, six persons have received a
Doctor Habilitus (Dr.habil.sc.ing.) degree and ten persons have received a
Doctor’s (Dr.sc.ing.) degree. 23 diplomas of the former U.S.S.R. scientific
degree have been nostrified (recognized) as equivalent to the Doctor’s
(Dr.sc.ing) degree. Abolishing the Habilitation fully, the new Promotional
Regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on April 6, 1999 obliged the
LCS to set up a new Promotional Council “Textile and Clothing Technology” in
Engineering Sciences (for Dr.sc.ing. degree by the LCS Regulation No. 5-3-2 of
July 4, 2001), but now within “Materials Technology” branch of engineering
sciences instead of the previous, directly specified Habilitation Council.
The ITCT consists of the following structural units:
 Professor’s Group for Textile Technology and Machinery;
 Professor’s Group for Textile Technology;
 Professor’s Group for Textile Products;
 CAD Centre of Clothing;
 Research and Development Laboratory for Textile Technology.
The structural units participate in the implementation of the academic study
programme “Textile and Clothing Technology”.
Some background problems should be mentioned. Inclusion of the
former Faculty of Textile and Clothing Technology as the structurally demoted
ITCI into the former Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, now Faculty of
Transport and Mechanical Engineering has caused (by administrative means)
subordination of the ITCT curricula (and consequently, subject knowledge,
skills and understanding of graduates) to the irrelevant academic standards of
the Mechanical Engineering study programmes laid dawn as the benchmark
for the textile and clothing studies, not to mention administrative difficulties in
curricula planning. In spite of the mentioned irrelevancies, on May 1, 2000,
323 students were enrolled for the Textile and Clothing studies at the ITCT.
Number of students at the ITCT for the
Textile and Clothing Technology Studies as of May,1, 2000.
Study level
Baccalaureate studies
Number of
students
17
(3rd year students only)
Professional studies
Graduate
studies
for
Master’s degree studies
Doctoral studies
273
18
Total:
323
14
science. Members of these commissions are chosen by scientists who are actively involved in the respective field.
The LCS experts, in turn, select the 20 members of the LCS itself.
106744544
6
1. Aims and objectives of the study programme
The aim of the 3-year (6 semester) baccalaureate programme is to
provide both basic academic education and elementary skills necessary for
the selected sub-field of textile and clothing technology and area-related
research. This first level academic programme is a prerequisite for further
Master’s degree academic or professional studies after successfully
completed baccalaureate studies, presentation of Bachelor’s theses and
earning of the Bachelor’s degree of Engineering Science in Materials
Technology.
The aim of the 3-years (6 semester) Master’s study programmes is to
educate experts in one of the following areas of advanced knowledge and
skills: clothing technology, textile technology or textile machinery. Besides, the
2nd level academic sub-programme is focused on ensuring that graduates can
successfully work in business organizations, educational establishments,
various institutions or continue their education by doing doctoral studies.
The aim of the 3-years (6 semester) doctoral study programme is to
educate Doctors of engineering science in clothing or textile materials
technology mainly through research, so that the graduates of the 3 rd level
academic programme (after completion and successful presentation of
doctoral thesis and the receiving of the Doctor’s degree) would have sub-field
knowledge in the subject and skills necessary for doing scientific research and
carrying out educator’s work in business organizations, public institutions or
educational establishments.
Graduates enter the labour market after the master’s studies or
additional professional studies following baccalaureate studies sometimes
regarded as an “incomplete” higher education. Therefore all the mentioned
programmes taken together are aimed to meet the worldwide recognized
requirements for the professional qualification of Associateship and Charted
Membership of the International Textile Institute (CTextATI), if graduates wish
to apply for the Textile Institute charted qualifications recognized also under
the EC’s Professional Qualifications Directive as a valid recognition of
professional competence.
Objectives of the study programmes:
 To provide opportunities for students at all study levels to
acquire academic degrees in programmes related to their further
career areas in clothing and textile industry or likewise, thus
achieving an educational background applicable to employment
possibilities.
 To ensure appropriate and broad knowledge of textiles and
clothing, including a capability to assess the performance of
textiles and garments in end-use.
 To achieve an advanced level of studies in one area of textiles
or clothing including knowledge of the factors involved in
manufacturing a textile product that is specifically suited for an
intended purpose.
106744544
7

To encourage the development of analytical skills, as well as
skills, that are essential for organizing and doing research, and
to develop skills of locating, formulating and tackling problems.
 to enhance the graduate students’ ability to design and manage
projects and to lead and coordinate project teams, including the
strengthening of their skills of scientific documentation and
communication;
 To tailor the study process aimed at developing intellectual
capabilities of the students, to extend their mental horizons, and
to encourage the use of their intellectual potential in resolving
practical real-life problems.
All academic study programmes for the “Textile and Clothing
Technology” subject-field are attached to the Self-Evaluation Report (see
Annex 2).
106744544
8
2. Description of the study programme
The sub-programmes within the “Textile and Clothing Technology”
subject-field described below are elaborated by the Professor’s Groups
(Chairs) mentioned above and then approved by the Council of the ITCT, by
the Faculty Council, and finally by the RTU Senate.
The Bachelor’s degree academic study programme MBVO “Textile and
Clothing Technology” was approved by the RTU Senate on November 24,
1997, Resolution # 426.
Brief programme description:
Name of the programme:
Textile and Clothing Technology
Duration of the programme:
3 years (6 semesters)
Total credit value:
120 credit points (CP)
Previous education required for general or vocational secondary
matriculation:
education
Obtainable qualification:
Bachelor of Engineering Science in
Materials Technology
Aim of the programme:
to provide basic academic education
for further studies
Final course paper:
Bachelor’s paper
Document certifying the academic Bachelor’s diploma issued by Riga
degree conferred:
Technical University
After the conferment of the Bachelor’s degree students may continue
their studies in one of the Master’s sub-programmes:
MMV1 “Clothing Technology”;
MMV4 “Textile Technology”;
MMV5 “Textile Machinery”.
The Master’s study programmes were approved by the RTU Senate on
April 28, 1997, Resolution # 420.
Brief programme description:
Name of the programme:
Clothing Technology;
Textile Technology;
Textile Machinery.
Duration of the programme:
3 years (6 semesters)
Total credit value:
120 credit points (CP)
Previous education required for Bachelor of Engineering Science in
matriculation:
Materials Technology
Obtainable qualification:
Master of Engineering Science in
Clothing Technology or
Textile Technology or
Textile Machinery.
Aim of the programme:
to educate experts for R&D or
106744544
9
educational activities within the
corresponding subject field; to provide
opportunities for further doctoral
studies
Final course paper:
Master’s theses
Document certifying the academic Master’s diploma issued by Riga
degree conferred:
Technical University
After the conferment of the Master’s degree students may continue
their studies in the corresponding doctoral study programme to earn the
Doctor’s degree (after successful presentation of their Doctor’s theses ):
MDV1 “Clothing Technology”;
MDV4 “Textile Technology”;
MDV5 “Textile Machinery”.
The doctoral study programmes were approved by the RTU Senate on
January 27, 1997, Resolution # 417.
Brief programme description:
Name of the programme:
Clothing Technology;
Textile Technology;
Textile Machinery.
Duration of the programme:
3 years (6 semesters)
Total credit value:
120 credit points (CP)
Previous education required for Master of Engineering Science
matriculation:
Obtainable qualification:
Doctor of Engineering Science in
Textile and Clothing Technology
Aim of the programme:
to educate experts for R&D or
academic
activities
within
the
corresponding subject field
Final course paper:
Doctor’s theses
Document certifying the academic Doctor’s (Dr.sc.ing.) diploma
degree conferred:
2.1. Description of the lecture courses and study papers (19.1)
Updating of the study programmes is effected in accordance with the
RTU Senate resolutions on amending the programmes. The resolutions are
passed in response to structural changes in the national economy of Latvia,
demands on the labour market, changes in the secondary education.
During the Baccalaureate studies students have to write five papers
that form the basis for their final Bachelor’s paper. The papers complete the
courses covered in such subjects as Computer Studies, Metrology, Machine
Elements, Fundamentals of Clothing Design and Technology and
Fundamentals of Fashion Marketing and Merchandising.
106744544
10
During the Master’s studies students have to complete six papers,
mainly different projects together with professional programme students.
Apart from the final paper - master’s theses, the most important and timeconsuming (12 CP) paper is the complex Engineering Project that should be
presented for assessment by the group of 5 external (industrial) professionals
at the possibly high level of expertise in Latvia.
Descriptions of lecture courses and course papers, according to the
database of the all-RTU Subject (Course) Register, are attached (see
Appendix 4). Because of the great number of courses, their descriptions there
are not given in full. However, the full version may be obtained from the
corresponding structural units (Professors’ groups), and full listing of the
courses (subjects) is given here below in comparison tables.
Distribution of contact hours by type within baccalaureate studies
#
Type
Credit Points
% of total
1.
Lectures
67
56
2.
Practice, Seminars
25
21
3.
Laboratory work
28
23
Total:
120
100
Distribution of contact hours by type within master’s studies
#
Type
Credit Points
% of total
1.
Lectures
41
34
2.
Practice, Seminars
60
50
3.
Laboratory work
19
16
Total:
120
100
Distribution of contact hours by type within doctoral studies
#
Type
Credit Points
% of total
1.
Contact hours
60
50%
2.
Research Work
60
50%
Total:
120
100
2.2. The share of core courses (subjects) and electives (19.4)
The decision-making authority concerning the proportions of core
subjects and electives is vested with the RTU Senate.
#
A
A
A
B
B
B
Distribution of the course categories in baccalaureate studies
Category of courses
Credit Points
Compulsory core for all-RTU studies
37
or
Compulsory core for Mech. Eng. profile
32
or
Compulsory core for T&CT studies
28
or
Electives within T&CT option
6
or
Electives within social sciences option
4
or
Electives within languages option
3
or
%
31
27
23
5
3
2,5
106744544
C
E
11
Electives within free choice option
Baccalaureate final paper
Total:
#
A
B
B
B
B
B
C
D
E
E
E
#
A
B
C
D
7
3
120
Distribution of the course categories in master’s studies
Category of courses
Credit
Points
Compulsory core for T&CT sub-programme
45
Electives for advanced specialization
13
Electives within languages option
6
Electives within pedagogics option
4
Electives within social sciences option
4
Electives within economics option
6
Electives within free choice option
6
Practical Work
4
Engineering Project
12
Master’s Theses
20
Total:
120
or
or
6
2,5
100
%
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
or
Distribution of the course categories within doctor’s studies
Category of courses
Credit
Points
Compulsory courses for T&CT sub-programme
25
or
Electives for advanced specialization
30
or
Electives within free choice option
5
or
Doctoral Research Work
60
or
Total:
120
or
37
12
5
3
3
5
5
3
10
17
100
%
21
25
4
50
100
2.3. Duration of studies and scope of subjects (19.3)
An equal duration of 3 years is prescribed for each academic study
level at the RTU. A Master’s degree would take 6 years, but it would take 9
years to earn the degree of a Doctor.
The academic year is divided into two semesters comprising 40 weeks
altogether. Every semester with classroom contact hours runs for 16 weeks.
Students’ study load per week is 40 hours, with 20 hours allocated for in-class
academic activities. The study programme envisages also a four week long
summer semester. The academic study program has been designed so that
each study module is assigned 2 credit points, double modules – 4 credit
points etc.
2.4. Scope of the qualification papers (19.5).
Upon completion of each study level the students have to work out and
present a qualification paper in conformity with the requirements and scope of
106744544
12
each particular study level. The RTU Senate has approved the following credit
values and terms for completion of the corresponding papers:
Baccalaureate final paper – 3 CP;
Engineering project – 12 CP;
Master’s theses – 20 CP;
Doctor’s theses – 60 CP.
The term allocated for working out the baccalaureate final paper is 3 weeks,
for Master’s theses – 20 weeks, and for preparation of Doctor’s Theses – 60
weeks correspondingly distributed over the periods of studies.
2.5. Comparison of the study programme with similar programmes
offered by other institutions of higher learning (19.0).
The academic study programme “Textile and Clothing Technology”
offered by the ITCT at the RTU was compared with similar programmes
provided by the Kaunas University of Technology (concatenating information
on two separate programmes BSc Textile Technology and BSc Clothing
Technology), Philadelphia University (B.S. Textile Technology) and
Manchester Metropolitan University (BSc Clothing in both former options:
“Management and Technology” and “Marketing and Distribution”). More than
100 Baccalaureate level degrees and diplomas worldwide have been
accredited as satisfying the academic requirements for the professional
qualification of the Textile Institute (CTextATI).2 However, their contents are
various and continuously diversifying as contrary to that of structural continuity
of the traditional post-soviet engineering-based programmes at the KTU and
the RTU. Within the EU, the Clothing Technology programmes at the MMU
are found to be more emphasizing the managerial aspect of entrepreneurship
both for clothing manufacture and for trade.
The existing in Latvia 31 baccalaureates, i.e. restricted, science-based
academic subject fields do not provide any relevant (or multidisciplinary at
least) field for the textile and clothing studies, not to mention existent essential
distinctions between the textile and the clothing study curricula worldwide.
Each baccalaureate field prescribes about 70% of curriculum to be identical
by its mandatory contents of the core courses. This has been a crucial
problem for the T&CT curricula multidisciplinary development and it has
remained valid. Therefore recently introduced Materials Technology field also
may turn out to be irrelevant for the T&CT curricula peculiarities.
Consequently, there was small room to introduce the necessary specialization
in baccalaureate level unlike the four-year undergraduate programme at the
KTU. Further measures should be taken to convince the Higher Education
Council that there are some specific problems. Relevant academic studies is
a prerequisite to reproduce academic staff for the T&CT (through doctoral
studies), at least for maintaining the strongly recommended professional
programmes as a preferable choice for “practical” fields of studies in the
future, not to mention other reasons.
2
Whitaker P.B.F., Gandhi K.L. The world of textile education: A survey of global industrial requirements and
sourcing; Jackson K.C. Educational prerequisites for a diversified textile industry // Niches in the world of textiles:
Proceedings of the Textile Institute’s (TI) 77th World Conference.- Tampere: The TI in assoc. with the Institute of
Fibre, Textile and Clothing Science of Tampere University of Technology, 1996.- Pp. 41-51 and Pp. 71-97.
106744544
RTU (3 years)
Mathematics
Physics
Mechanics
Electricity and
Magnetism
Electrical
Engineering &
Electronics
General Chemistry
Fundamentals of
Materials Science
Descriptive
Geometry and
Technical Drawing
Computer Studies
Economics
13
C
P
C
P
Philadelphia
University (majors)
C
Manchester
P Metropolitan University
(3 yrs)
Mathematics
Physics
8
8
General Physics
3
Electrical & electronic
circuits
Fundamentals of
Automatization
4
2
1
Chemistry
Mechanics of Materials
4
2
2
Engineering Graphics;
Computer-Aided Drawing
4
2
3
3
Informatics
Micro- and
Macroeconomics;
Basics of Management;
Economics of
Entrepreneurship
Philosophy
6
8
9
6
2
2
2
Models of Social
Development
Fundamentals of
Law
Civil Defence
Physical Training
Mathematics
(supplementary)
Theory of Probability
& Statistics
Theoretical
Mechanics
Strength of Materials
Heat Engineering
2
Machine Elements
3
General Metrology
Engineering
Measurements &
Experiments
Fluid Mechanics
Fundamentals of
Production
Technology
Computer Studies
(supplementary)
Fundamentals of
Fashion Marketing
and Merchandising
3
2
Kaunas Technological
University (4 yrs)
Environmental &
Energy Management
20
Computer Studies
3 Financial Management;
3 Economics &
3 Marketing;
Small Firm
Management
20
2
4
2
Microeconomics;
Macroeconomics;
Financial
Accounting
Human Resource
Management
1
0
2
Human Safety
Physical Education
Applied Mathematics
2
0
4
Physical Training
1
2
Theory of Probability &
Statistics
Theoretical Mechanics
4
Statistics
3
Fundamentals of
Thermodynamics
Machine Elements &
Machine Design
2
Computer-Aided
Simulation in Textiles
Quality & Assortment of
Clothing;
Analysis of Garment
Constructions;
Technical Designs of
Clothing;
Digital Technologies of
Advertising;
Textile [or Clothing]
Materials Science 1&2
2
Drawing I & II;
Colour Theory &
Composition;
Fundamentals of Design;
Clothing Composition;
Coloristics
Ergonomics;
Designs for Children
Wear ;
4
5
2
30
20
10
4
2
5
C
A
T
S
10
2
2
2
2
2
4
Fundamentals of
Textile and Leather
Materials
Fundamentals of
Visual Arts for
Clothing Studies
5
Fundamentals of
Anthropology for
Clothing Studies
2
5
2
Evaluation of
Apparel Quality
2
4
4
6
4
4
4
2
2
2
Textile Materials
Systems of
Garment Sizes
CAD/CAM Systems &
Practice
4 Retail Buying& Merchandising;
Intl Marketing& Retail Strategies;
BuyingBehaviour;
Strategical Marketing
Management;
Promotional Management;
MarketingCommunications
10
4 Clothing Materials
20
10
20
10
10
10
10
10
Product Development
20
3 Consumer Studies;
Consumer Behaviour
10
10
106744544
14
Fundamentals of
Garment Design &
Technology
2
Fundamentals of
Yarn Design &
Technology
Fundamentals of
Woven Fabrics
Design &
Technology
Fundamentals of
Knitted Fabrics
Design &
Technology
Fundamentals of
Design and
Technology of
Leather Goods
Fundamentals of
Textile Machinery
2
Equipment Technology
20
Production
Management
Operations
Management
Combined
Technologies
3 Strategic Management
20
10
20
10
4
Spinning 1
4
2
Woven Structures &
Technology
4
Weaving 1
Development of
textile fabrics
4
3
2
Knitting Theory;
4
Knitting;
Nonwovens
4
3
Technological Transport
2
Finishing;
Culture of Professional
Language;
4
4
2
2
3
Weaving
3
Knitting
3
Technology &
Machinery of Leather
Goods
Clothing Technology
3
Textile Machinery
Reliability of Textile
Machinery
10
4
Spinning
Sewing Machines
Garment Technology &
CAD
Basics of Sewing
Technology ;
CAD for Clothing
Manufacture
Yarn Manufacturing
Processes 1&2
4
2
4
2
TextileStudies Abroad;
Dyeing&Finishing;
2
Printing;
CostingofTextiles;
Problem-solving;
Fundamentals of
Production Management
Control ofTextile
Production
Limited electives within programme
Yarns of Complex
2
Spinning 2
Structure
Woven Fabric
4
Weaving;
Manufacture;
Jacquard Fabrics
Jacquard Structures
2
Knitted Structures &
4
Knitting 2;
Technology;
Advanced Warp
Knitting Processes
6
Knitting
3
4
3
3
2
4
3
Knitting Technology
& Knitwear
Production
10
Design of Clothing
Constructions;
…Cutting…;
…”Hygrothermics”…
“Technological Apparatus
of Sewing Industry”
4
4
Cutting Room
Organization;
Simulation in Clothing
Manufacture
Mechanics of the
Fabric / Machine
Interface;
Robotics & Fabric
Handling
10
Reliability of Textile
Machinery
Ethnographic Textiles;
Decoration of Garments;
History of Costume;
Automatic Equipment of
Clothing Industry
Management of textile
processing;
Background of Textile
Manufacturing
2
Presentation Management;
QualitySystems/ Objective
Measurement;
OutwardSourcing&Apparel
QualitySystems;
Distribution& Logistics;
NetworkedManufacturing&
DistributionStrategies;
CorporateStrategy&
BusinessPolicy
Languages
Behavioural Studies
10
Apparel
Manufacturing;
3
3
7
3
4
4
6
2
2
2
4
4
Colour Science
Computer Aided
Graphics
Computer Aided
Manufacturing
Textile Quality
Management
6
3
1
3
2
Languages
Humanities & Social
Sciences
Electives for free
choice
Latvian language
3
4
Foreign Languages
Social Sciences
8
4
7
Electives for free choice
4
2
Final Year Paper
3
Lithuanian language
Practice I&II
Qualifying Exam
2
8
2
Electives for free
choice
10
20
10
10
10
10
10
10
40
10
9
Practical Placement
The Project
30
106744544
Sum of credit
points
15
120
Totals:
160
Totals:
135
CATS points
360
The academic study sub-programme for specialization in “Textile
Technology” offered by the ITCT at the Master’s studies level is compared
with similar programmes at Kaunas University of Technology, Philadelphia
University and Dresden Technical University. The main dissimilarity is the
study duration due to the previously shorter, i.e. three-year baccalaureate
studies at the RTU. Additionally, the European two-year taught Master’s study
programme in Textile Engineering has been taken into consideration. It
consists of integrated studies abroad (starting compulsory core courses in
Finland at the TUT Tampere, going on in Germany at RWTH Aachen, and
ending in Portugal at the Minho University, plus mandatory two-months
industrial internship, and master theses that lasts a total of four months at
home university).3
RTU (3 years)
Applied Mathematics
7
Informatics
4
Research Methodology
2
Fundamentals of Textile
Business Activities
Specialized Research
Seminars
2
Kaunas University of
Technology (2 years)
Theory of Textile
Experiments
Simulation of
Technological
Processes
Methods for Materials
Research
Marketing Management
6
Research
Production Organization,
Planning & Steering
4
Workshop Floor
Logistics for Mill Design
Industrial Constructions
Air Conditioning
Protection of Labour &
Environment
Legal Regulations of
Entrepreneurship
Labour Protection
2
2
4
Philadelphia
University (2 years)
Analytical Methods
Computer-Aided
Design/ComputerAided Manufacture
3
Dresden University of
Technology (2 years)
Mathematics
8
3
Informatics & Computing
4
Dissertation Seminars;
1
2
4
Textile Marketing
3
Economics
6
18
Seminar
3
2
1
Textile and Apparel
Operations
Management
3
Special Seminars;
Expert Seminars;
Colloquium
Project Management;
Logistics
3
Mechanics & Machine
Elements
3
3
2
2
1
2
1
Mechanics of Textiles
CAD of Knitted Fabrics
6
Informatics
6
6
Textile assortment and
4
Quality Management;
fashion;
Product Evaluation;
Textile products quality
2
analysis
Limited electives within major studies
CAD of Textile Products
6
Advanced Knitted
Structures - Product
Development
Textile Integrated
2
Manufacturing.
3
3
3
The core compulsory courses for the “European” MSc degree awarded in Textile Engineering cover fundamentals
of textile technology, and include Structure and Properties of High Performance Fibres, Mechanics of Textile
Materials, Biomaterials, Composites, Analytical Techniques, Advanced and Specialised Textile Processing,
Automation and Process Control, Product Development, Design Management, Ecological and Environmental
Aspects, Textile CAD&M, Technical Textile Manufacturing Technology, Evaluation and Testing of Technical Textiles,
Application for Technical Purposes, Supply Chain Management, Quality and Environment Management, International
Markets for Textile & Clothing, Management, Logistics and Distribution, European Union, European languages and
cultures.
3
6
106744544
16
RTU (3 years)
Technological
Development Trends in
Textile Industry
Technological
Development Trends in
Knitting Industry
Weaving Equipment
4
Woven Product
Development
3
Kaunas University of
Technology (2 years)
Advanced Textile
Technologies and
Designing
12
4
Philadelphia
University (2 years)
Advanced Nonwoven
Structures - Product
Development;
Nonwovens
3
Cotton Yarn Production
Wool Yarn Production
Linen Yarn Production
6
6
6
Development,
Processing & Properties
of Basic & Derived
Knitted Structures
Manufacture of Fully
Fashioned Knitted
Piece-Goods
Manufacture of Knitted
Patterns
2
8
4
2
3
Advanced Woven
Structures - Product
Development;
Industrial and
Specialty FabricsProduct Development
Fiber & Yarns
Studies;
Advanced Yarn
Studies
Fabric Studies
Dresden University of
Technology (2 years)
Advanced Textile
Technology;
Technical Textiles
Methods & Machinery of
Textile Technology and
Finishing
9
Methods and Machinery of
Clothing Technology
Textile Finishing [M I+II]
4
Textile Materials & Testing
Technology
Macromolecular
Chemistry; Special Textile
Fibre Materials
4
Practical seminar (2
months)
4
Project Management
6
Dissertation (4 months)
2
0
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
Fundamentals of
Garment Technology
Problems of Textile
Finishing
Problems in Textile
Materials Science
Composites & Technical
Materials
2
2
2
2
Coloration and
Finishing Studies
Advanced Chemistry
of Fibrous Materials
Textile Structural
Composites
Foreign Language
Sub-electives in
Humanities & Social
Sciences
Sub-electives in
Economics &
Management
Sub-electives in
Pedagogics
Sub-electives for free
choice
Practical Work
6
4
Engineering Project
12
Master Thesis
20
Master Thesis
20
European Textile Print
Study Tour;
European Knitting
Study Tour
Project - Textile
Engineering
Independent Study
Total of credit points:
120
Total CP:
80
Total credits:
3
3
14
4
2
4
4
6
Cooperative
Education
Sub-electives for free
choice
2
4
6
39
Total hrs per week (76 +
24):
The academic study sub-programme “Clothing Technology” at the
Master’s level studies offered by the ITCT at the RTU is compared with similar
programmes provided at the Manchester Metropolitan University (MSc
Clothing in both former options “Advanced Manufacture” and “Marketing &
Distribution”) and Dresden University of Technology (MSc Clothing
Engineering as a substitute of German “Diploma Engineer” for foreigners).
Apart from the duration dissimilarities, the emphasis on the taught courses in
the comparable programmes should be mentioned because initially our
106744544
17
programme has been introduced as a research study. After the first
“engineering” year more effective study methods should be found to
implement the necessary diversity for research outcomes, e.g. promoting the
mobility of students, designing joint study programmes, establishing networks,
exchanging information or additional teaching languages of the European
Union (Several students have studied advanced clothing problems abroad as
recently at the FHTW Berlin and now – at the HS Niederrhein within the
European Community programme SOCRATES – ERASMUS)
RTU (3 years)
Applied Mathematics
Informatics
Research Methodology
Scientific Seminars (for Clothing
Researchers)
7
4
2
8
Manchester Metropolitan
University (1 year)
Statistics
Computation
Research Methods
5
5
5
Financial Strategy
5
5
Methodology of Instructional
Clothing Technology
Financial Accounting
Industrial Constructions
Legal Regulation of
Entrepreneurship
Labour Protection
Efficiency of Innovations
Advanced Clothing Technology
2
CAD of Clothing
2
Implementation of New
Technologies
Product Development
Creativity Studies
Clothing Quality Control
2
2
Quality & HRM
5
Designing of Clothing Enterprises
(factories, workrooms or shops)
Practical Work
Engineering Project
Master Thesis
5
Systems Design;
15
Sewing Equipment Technology
9
Garment Processing Research
Theory of Dress Composition
7
7
Simulating Systems
Product Development
15
5
Fashion Market & Quality
Research
7
Marketing Strategy &
The Globalisation … in World
Markets
35
Design of Images
Logistics of Garments
Resourcing of Clothing Materials
2
2
2
Logistics & Distribution Strategy
Clothing Materials
10
5
Design of Sewing Machinery
Bespoke Garment Processing
Industrial Collections of Garment
Samples
Design of Bespoke Garments
Maintenance of machinery
Recovery of Garment
Performance
Foreign Language
Sub-electives in Humanities &
Social Sciences
Sub-electives in Economics &
Management
Sub-electives in Pedagogics
Sub-electives for free choice
2
2
2
Total of credit points:
120
2
2
2
1
2
2
4
12
20
Dissertation
5
35
Limited Electives within Major Studies
Systems Engineering
15
2
2
2
Dresden University of
Technology (2 years)
Mathematics
Informatics & Computing
Dissertation Seminars;
Special Seminars;
Expert Seminars;
Colloquium
[separate route for
educationalist studies]
Economics
8
4
1
2
1
6
Advanced Ready-Made Clothing
Technology [M I]
CAD systems within Clothing
Technology [M II]
4
Quality Assurance & Quality
Control [M-I]
Production Planning & Logistics
in Ready-Made Clothing [M II]
Practical Seminar (2 months)
Project Management
Dissertation (4 months)
Mechanics & Machine Elements
4
Methods and Machinery for
Clothing Technology
4
Design & Construction in
Clothing [M II]
2
Logistics
Textile Materials and Testing
Technology;
3
4
Textile Recycling [M II]
2
2
2
4
6
20
6
6
4
6
4
6
Total of CATS points:
120
Making-up of Technical Textiles
4
Total hrs per week (76 + 24): 100
106744544
18
The academic study sub-programmes offered by the ITCT at the RTU
within “Textile and Clothing Technology” specialization at the doctoral study
level are compared with similarly named programmes provided by the Kaunas
University of Technology, Oregon State University and North Carolina State
University. At the doctoral level there could be dissimilarities between
contents of the doctoral studies as each scientific school has its unique
research approach, paying more attention to the research, and less - to the
taught courses. Our doctorate is an informal process of research, based on
additional graduate education in which the candidates acquire R&D
competence, management skills, teaching experience, leadership and
international relations. The core of the doctorate is a research project.
Anyway, the American experience in Ph.D. taught programmes should be
taken into account.
RTU
Mechanics of
Fibrous Materials
[for TT]
or
Methodology of
Clothing
Technology
Researches [for
CT]
10
Textile Materials
Science [for TT]
or
Methodology of
Researches for
Garment
Assortment &
Quality [for CT]
10
Methodology of
Researches
Kaunas University
of Technology
Yarn Mechanics;
Mechanics of
Woven Fabrics
Physics of
Materials;
Rheology;
5
Oregon State University
5
5
5
5
Mathematical
Theory of
Engineering
Experiments;
Metrology &
Methodology of
Measurements
Courses in areas of specialization
10
1st Specialization
Methods of
Course
Surface Analysis
5
2nd Specialization
Course
5
3rd Specialization
Course
10
10
Theory of
Elasticity
Fracture
Mechanics
Adhesion of
Polymers;
Physics &
Theory Development;
North Carolina State University
3
Theoretical Foundations
For Merchandising
Research;
3
Trends & Issues In
Merchandising [MS];
2
Fashion Theory [MS];
3
Methods of Research I&Ii
[MS];
6
Modern Developments in Yarn
Manufacturing [MS];
Textured Yarn Production &
Properties [MS];
Advanced Knitting Systems &
Fabrics [MS];
Advanced Weaving [MS];
Advanced Woven Fabric Design
[MS];
---------------------------------Textile & Apparel Labor
Management [MS];
Physical Properties of Textile Fibers
[MS];
Textile Composites;
Physical & Mechanical Properties of
Knitted Fabrics [MS];
Advanced Textile Testing;
---------------------------------Textile Production Cost Control
[MS];
Textile Marketing Management
[MS];
Management Decision Making for
Textile Firm [MS];
Doctoral Supervised Research;
Doctoral Preliminary Examination;
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
5
4
5
5
5
Advanced Topics In
Human Behavior;
Historic/Cultural Theories
& Methods of the Near
Environment
Theoretical Frameworks
In Fashion Aesthetics &
Housing; Aesthetic &
Perceptual Theories of the
Near Environment [MS];
3 Yarn Processing Dynamics;
Mechanics of Twisted Structures
3
3
3 Production Mechanics and
Properties of Woven Fabrics;
Fabric Development and
2 Construction;
Mechanics of Fabric Structures;
Theory and Practice of Knitted
Fabric Production and Control;
Warp Knit Engineering and
Structural Design
Total Quality Management;
Market Research in Textiles;
Special Studies in Textile
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
106744544
19
Chemistry of
Polymers;
Composite
Materials;
Mechanics of
Heterogeneous
Textile Materials;
Physics of Fibres;
Foreign Language
[Educational
Practice]
Research
Total:
5
5
5
60
120
Total:
Technology / Management;
Special Projects in Textile
Technology / Management;
Advanced Textile Labor
Management Seminar;
Competitive Strategy and Planning
for the Textile Firm;
120
Independent Study
Internship/Work
Experience
Research &
Scholarship; Thesis
Total (<18 for minors)
3
3
3
3
Independent Study in Textile
Technology or Management;
Independent Study
Doctoral Supervised Teaching
36
108
Doctoral Dissertation Research;
Doctoral Dissertation Preparation
Total credit-hours (<18 from MS):
On the whole, the Self-evaluation Steering Group has evaluated the
Baccalaureate, Master’s and Doctorate academic programmes as a positive
basis for further development. As to the contents and scope, the study
programme is compliant with the aims and objectives though there is room for
improvement.
2.6. Evaluation of the prospects of the study programme
considering national interests (19.6.)
The need to provide students with academic education is proved by
demand for employees in locally new or non-traditional areas of the textile and
clothing industry or trade requiring fully research-based approach during the
student’s preparatory studies. This, in its turn, is a motivating factor for
secondary school graduates to apply for academic study programmes. This
should be a reason to offer more diversely customisable study programme at
the Master’s level.
Master’s degree becomes a must for educationalists at vocational and
general secondary schools. Therefore Methodology of Instructional Clothing
Technology and sub-electives in Pedagogies are well-founded courses for
Master’s studies from the labour market demand viewpoint. Five vocational
teachers have graduated the ITCT as Masters of Educational Engineering
Sciences in Clothing Technology. Now this denomination (name) of degree is
given up, but prospects of the educational occupations should be considered
within interdisciplinary approach, as there is an extensive network of sartorial
and alike vocational schools in Latvia.
Number of graduates of the T&CT academic study programme is as
follows: 28 BSc and 1 MSc in 1995, 24 BSc and 7 MSc in 1996, 14 BSc and
15 MSc in 1997, 17 BSc and 3 MSc in 1998, 11 BSc and 5 MSc in 1999. Most
of the BSc degree holders continued their education, justifiably regarding
baccalaureate as an “incomplete” higher education, while the most of the MSc
degree holders have found employment according to their interests or
employers’ proposals even during studies.
72
106744544
20
2.7. Advertising and informative literature (19.2).
Dissemination of information about the study programme and the
opportunities to take up studies is effected both through mass media and by
means of direct marketing. The most effective means of promotion are printed
information materials, advertisements, advertising brochures and catalogues,
as well as participation in exhibitions and organisation of annual orientation
programs for potential applicants.
The RTU carries out regular annual orientation programs to secondary
school graduates. They are traditionally organized on Saturdays making them
accessible to both graduates from Riga and more distant regions. The visitors
can obtain information about the organisation of studies, meet with the
academic staff and the administration of the RTU and the ITCT, as well as get
acquainted with the equipment and technical facilities and resources: lecture
rooms, laboratories, the library, dormitories, etc.
Information about study opportunities is published in “Educational
Guide – 2000”, catalogues of similar content (e.g. “State Higher Education
Institutions in Latvia” issued by AIC/ENIC in1996), the Internet or periodicals.
Participation in annual nation-wide exhibitions “School” and
international “Inter-Textile Balticum” exhibitions has become a tradition. These
exhibitions are visited not only by potential university applicants, but also by
teachers, who disseminate the information by taking the advertising materials
to their schools and potential employers.
There are some difficulties to inform freshmen about the opportunities
of the T&CT studies, as far as we have no contact hours with them during the
first years. Sometimes even initially textile-minded students are enticed by
their lecturers to take another pathway.
More serious problem is the low prestige of the textile and clothing
industry in society in general, arising from talks about sweatshops and
strategic elimination of low-paid workforce (e.g. CMT) industries in the future.
The mission of our researchers is to show broader prospects for graduates of
the T&CT study programme. More sophisticated information should be
elaborated for the ITCT homepage accessible by users of the Internet at
secondary schools.
2.8. Co-operation of structural units in the implementation of
particular study blocks (19.13)
The observance of students interests in designing, implementing and
administering the programmes is provided by ensuring their representation in
the RTU Senate, the Council of the Faculty of Transport and Mechanical
Engineering, and the Council of the ITCT. In the course of studies students
may come up with their objections and proposals concerning the organisation
of the study process (i.e. suggestions as to the changes of the place and time
of lectures or classes, a replacement of lecturer etc.). All these matters are
dealt with objectively and, where the proposed changes are justified, the
corresponding objections or proposals are taken into consideration.
106744544
21
All structural units collegially co-operate to ensure the implementation
of the logical sequential chain of academic subjects, as well as to avoid
possible duplication. This is achieved by discussing academic programmes in
Professors’ groups (chairs), institute councils, and, when necessary, the
Study Department of the RTU.
2.9. Basic principles of progress evaluation at examinations and
other assessment tests (19.14)
Students’ academic progress is evaluated according to a 10-grade
system. (See RTU Senate Statutes # 402 of April 24, 1995 in Annex 4). The
academic performance after the completion of subject courses requiring 3 or
fewer credits could be assessed by an oral test. In some courses students
have to work out course papers to complete the particular subject block.
In subjects having a wider scope, which have been assigned at least 4
credits student have to work out an academic paper and have to pass an
examination which is usually conducted in a written form (according to the
RTU Senate Resolutions of 1998-01-26 and 1998-03-30; see Annex 5).
For evaluating the presentation of the Baccalaureate papers the
responsible academic unit establishes a committee, which consists of at least
three members, the head of the structural unit as the chairman. The
assessment by the committee serves as the basis for conferring the
Bachelor’s degree. Both the all-RTU and specialization criterions of
assessment and presentation are laid down in written guidelines.
The committee established for the assessment of Master’s degree
research papers has to consist of at least three committee members: the head
of the structural unit as the chairman, and two members – the scientific
supervisor and the reviewer; usually it means the presence of all professors.
The assessment by the committee serves as the basis for conferring the
Master’s degree. The most important assessment criterion is academic
(sometimes scientific) novelty.
For the presentation of Doctoral theses the former Habilitation Council
H-11 has been reorganized into the Promotional Council having the authority
of conferring a Doctor’s degree (Dr.sc.ing.) of Engineering sciences in
Materials Technology sub-field “Textile and Clothing Technology”. Among the
most important evaluation criterions should be mentioned international
publicity and recognition of the scientific novelty of the research outcomes. 4
On April 6, 1999, the Council of Ministers of Latvia approved the “Regulation on procedure and criteria of
promotion". It provided for an organizing role of the Latvian Council of Science in forming a system of promotions. In
the Republic of Latvia the qualification of scientists is confirmed by promotion — conferment of a scientific degree for
an individual’s original research, the results of which are valued as an important contribution in the field. The Latvian
Council of Science gives the rights of promotions to higher education institutions and State research centres, which
form the Promotion boards.
4
106744544
22
2.10. Organization of students’ practical fieldwork (industrial
placement), laboratory work, qualification papers etc. (19.15)
According to the structural requirements of the all-RTU curriculum
neither fieldwork nor industrial placement is provided for the baccalaureate
studies. On our own we have introduced a Tailoring part of the Clothing
Technology studies at the ITCT labs as a possible substitute for the
necessary practical skills component.
Within Master’s studies practical work is required, the scope of which is
4 CP, i.e. 8 weeks of industrial placement. Fulfilment of this requirement
should be confirmed in a documentary form apart from the study overview
according to the ITCT written guidelines on contents. The choice of the
enterprise for a paid or unpaid industrial placement depends on students’
interests in their research development.
Laboratory work accounts for 23 % of the total scope of the
baccalaureate studies and 16 % of that in the Master’s studies. Laboratory
work is organized in accordance with the course programmes of definite
academic subjects specifying the tasks and procedures to be followed.
Laboratory work is done in especially equipped labs.
According to the baccalaureate study programme, students have to
submit five academic course papers. Their topics, contents, literature to be
used, as well as the presentation procedure are specified in the curriculum.
At the end of the baccalaureate studies students have to submit a
Bachelor’s paper the scope of which is 3 credits. All information concerning
the scope, organization and procedure of presentation is specified in the
Statutes on Bachelor’s Paper based on the requirements stipulated by the
RTU Senate Resolution “On Bachelor’s Papers”, March 25,1996 (see Annex
7).
At the end of the Master’s studies students have to submit a Master’s
paper, the scope of which is 20 credits. Organization of these procedures are
stipulated by the RTU Senate Resolution “On RTU Master’s Studies”, January
30, 1995 (see Annex).
2.11. Electives offered to students (19.16)
Within the baccalaureate studies electives account for 19 % of the total
scope of studies. Restricted (limited choice) electives from options cover 16,5
% and “free” electives – 2,5 %. Restricted electives have to be chosen from
the languages option (English, German or French), the social sciences option,
and the T&CT specialization option (see the latter in the comparisons tables
above). Among the social sciences option General Sociology, Management
Sociology, Sociology of Personality, EU and Latvia, “Politology”
(Fundamentals of Political Science), or Political System in Latvia may be
chosen. Among the free electives offered by the ITCT staff Introduction into
Dress Culture, Introduction into Fashion Analysis, History of Costume,
Ethnographic Textiles etc. may be preferred.
106744544
23
Within the Master’s studies electives account for 33 % of the total
scope of studies. Electives for the T&CT advanced specialization option (12
%) are specified in the comparison tables above. From the Social Sciences
option Industrial Relations, Business Sociology, Social Psychology, or Ethics
may be chosen. Among the Economics and Management option Marketing
Organization and Management, Production Organization, Logistics and
Transport, Theory of Organizations, and Innovations are offered. Within the
Pedagogics option Pedagogy and Psychology or Communications
Psychology should be chosen to acquire eligibility to teach vocational courses
at schools in Latvia.
Within the Doctoral studies specialization-related electives may
account for 30 credits, i.e. 25 % of the total scope of studies. These electives
are customised to the research profile.
2.12. Other opportunities offered to students (19.17)
The study programme offers every student the opportunity to acquire
additional education within the humanities, social sciences, or natural and
engineering sciences related options (blocks).
The Latvian language proficiency may be improved in language
courses. After enrolment the first year students, whose native language is
other than Latvian, have to take a placement test. Further work on language is
arranged in student groups with differentiated language proficiency levels and
additional language classes for students with inadequate language skills. The
baccalaureate programme comprises a two-semester Latvian language
course for students, who have graduated from educational establishments
with the tuition conducted in Russian. The performance results upon
completion of this course are assessed by the final (state) examination.
Further study programmes offer students an opportunity to improve their
Latvian language proficiency by choosing a free elective Latvian Language
course.
Instruction of foreign languages is provided by the Institute of
Languages offering courses in English, German, and French. Mastering of the
language course chosen proceeds along the following pattern. The first year
students are tested and divided into groups depending on their language
proficiency level. Students having inadequate language proficiency are
offered additional language courses. The mandatory course of foreign
languages is designed to run for the first 3 semesters. Further language
studies are based on the free elective principle.
The Master’s programme offers a two-semester extended course in the
first foreign language, and, starting with the third semester, students are
offered a basic (beginners’) course in the second foreign language. There is
an opportunity to further raise the second foreign language proficiency level
as a free elective in the fourth semester.
The RTU students are offered extensive possibilities to go in for sport.
The first two years provide a mandatory physical training activities programme
aimed at strengthening students’ health and physical fitness. Students may
choose the kind of sports to suit their interests, the most popular being track-
106744544
24
and-field, basketball, volleyball, heavy athletics, and swimming. The following
sport centres and facilities are available to the students of the RTU: a
swimming pool, indoor and open tennis courts, a heavy athletics centre, a
table tennis centre, the summer sport and recreation centre “Ronīši”, and a
winter sports centre at Braki. In addition to the mentioned facilities, the RTU
also practices the lease of sport centres from the state or some institutions.
Besides the mandatory sports activities, students may also participate in
various team sports or individual sports events. Sports activities may be
chosen also as free electives.
106744544
25
3. Methodological, material and technical resources.
Administration of the programme (19.9)
Textile and clothing technology lectures and laboratory work with
students of the ITCT are conducted in several RTU buildings: 19 Ganību
Dambis, 16 Āzenes street, and 1 Meža street, as well as in several industrial
and trade premises, not to mention various all-RTU sites for general services
and studies conducted by any unit. The separate textile laboratory building at
19 Ganību Dambis houses spinning, weaving, knitting and sewing
laboratories. During the last decade it has not been possible to invest any
financial resources neither in equipment nor in premises. There has been
insufficient funding to pay salaries to technicians who maintain the machinery.
Maintenance had to be done by lectures themselves. The lack of money been
partially compensated by conducting practical and research works at various
industrial enterprises in Riga.
Another drawback caused by the deficiency of financing is lack of
computers for the special needs of ITCT students, not to mention 14
computers, which once have been subsidized exclusively for professional
craft studies organized by Prof. S. Kukle in room 327 at 16 Āzenes street.
Garment CAD (including “Grafis” system) studies are conducted by Assoc.
Prof. A. Vilumsone on the computer system “INVESTRONICA” donated by the
Latvian Council of Sciences for the Centre of Clothing CAD (as a facility of
Technological Park) at 1 Meža Street and at the industrial site.
Students may use the resources (including the Internet) available at the
modernized RTU Library, which is one of the largest libraries in Latvia. It holds
the best collection of books in Latvia issued until 1990s on textile and clothing
technology. Most of the latest acquisitions of the RTU Library are foreign
publications in the field of general entrepreneurship and management. An
absolute lack of literature about the textiles and clothing in English had been
compensated by an endowment of 1300 books from the Manchester
Metropolitan University Library in 1997. Apart from several textile and clothing
scientific journals there are no financial resources to purchase the latest
textile textbooks or scientific books in English or German for students’
independent studies at the RTU library. To eliminate this deficiency the staff
members are keeping up personal relations abroad to get the necessary
information from visits to the libraries at the universities of the EU member
countries as well as by retrieving Internet resources at their home PCs.
Each structural unit regularly works out and publishes study aids and
methodological proposals for elaborating study projects, laboratory works,
Bachelor’s and Master’s papers etc. When applying for academic staff
vacancies, prospective applicants have to submit summaries of lectures to be
delivered. Unfortunately, even copying of these handouts cannot be paid for
by the administration and it has to be done by lecturers on their own.
The existent methodological and technical resources are fully based on
the enthusiasm and experience of the older generation staff members. Further
developments strongly depend on the administrative financing, though
individual initiatives of the staff members will continue as the only effective
measure up till now.
106744544
26
5. Research and development (19.12)
The range of scientific research conducted by the staff members
covers various fields of textile and clothing technologies: carbonising of wool
in the radio frequency electromagnetic field (I.Baltiņa, I.Brakšs); weaving
processes (N.Ozoliņa, H.Vinovskis); development of a new technology for
manufacturing hybrid textile vascular grafts (V.Kanceviča); CAD & CIM of the
knitted patterns (J.Ansons); design and manufacture of medical knitwear
(B.Okss); control, optimisation and monitoring of stitch formation and other
processes in sewing machines (V.Priednieks, A.Kļaviņš); garments CAD
(A.Viļumsone); geometry and composition of Latvian folk art designs
(S.Kukle); clothing merchandising and terminology in textile standardization
(I.Krieviņš); spinning processes (J.Butuzovs). In 2000 the International Textile
and Clothing Research Register has re-published the most of the reports on
the research progresses mentioned.
Apart from the regular international publicity of the staff members on an
individual basis (see CVs), the ITCT irregularly issues collective proceedings
on “Researches and optimisations of textile processes” (the last issued in
1998, 1995, 1994, …). Staff members have participated in international
conferences, e.g. in Kaunas, Manchester, Solonik, Shizouki, Lion, Maribor,
Lodz, Dresden, Cologne, and Oxford (see Annex 8).
Contractual assignments of research and development
Title of the R&D
Clothing CAD
(1996-10-01 – 1997-09-31)
Principal investigator
Dr.sc.ing.
A.Viļumsone
Technological investigation of
the woven vascular grafts and
their veterinary testing
(2000-04-01 – 2002 – 04-01)
Quality assurance of textiles
(1998-07-15 – 1999 –01-01)
Dr.h.sc.ing.
V.Kanceviča
Dr.sc.ing.
I.Krieviņš
Contracting authority
Department of Higher
Education and Science at
the Ministry of Education
Department of Higher
Education and Science at
the Ministry of Education
Deliverables
Clothing CAD laboratory at
the ITCT
Ministry of Economy
LVS 202; LVS 203
(National Standards of
Latvia)
Permission given by the
Committee of Ethics to
begin clinical testing
In addition to the research performed by the academic staff, it has to be
emphasised that students also have opportunities to make public
presentations and publish the findings of their research. It has already
become a long-standing tradition with the RTU to hold annual students’
scientific and technological conferences. Participation in these conferences is
open to Baccalaureate, Engineer’s, Master’s and Doctoral students who are
prepared to present reports. The most interesting presentations are published.
106744544
27
6. Academic staff (19.11)
The Institute of Textile and Clothing Technology is staffed in
accordance with the requirements of the Law on Establishments of Higher
Education and the RTU Charter. The number of academic staff is calculated
depending on the number of students and the teaching load in the structural
unit. The ITCT comprises 4 full-time Dr. habil. sc. ing., 9 Dr. sc. ing., and 1
lecturer. The total number of full-time academic staff is 14 persons. In addition
to this faculty there are also academic staff working part-time (1 Dr. habil. sc.
ing. and 2 Dr. sc. ing.) or on a contractual basis, e.g., Doctors of Engineering
Science or highly qualified experts (about 6 persons annually). See the list of
the academic staff and their Curricula Vitae in Annex 18 and Annex 19.
The structural units of the ITCT regularly hold scientific seminars. Since
financial resources have been limited, the last international conference on the
problems of textile and clothing academic education took place at the ITCT in
1995. Participants had arrived from Germany, Finland, England and Lithuania.
Besides, the academic staff participates in professional upgrading
courses of varying duration outside the University as well as in foreign
exchange programmes. The ITCT encourages integration of its academic staff
and students into the academic processes of institutions of higher education
abroad. The ITCT has co-operation agreements or long-standing contacts
with the following universities:
Berlin University of Applied Sciences;
Kaunas University of Technology;
De Montfort University in Leicester;
Manchester Metropolitan University;
Niederrhein University of Applied Sciences;
Saint-Petersburg University of Design and Technology;
Moscow State Academy of Light Industry;
It has already become a tradition with the ITCT to invite guest lecturers for
conducting particular courses in full or in part. A good example of such cooperation is lecturing by Prof. F.Hermann, Prof. I.Siewert, Prof. H.Brückner
(all from FHTW Berlin); PhD D.Tyler (from MMU); Prof. P.Nousiainen, Prof.
Emerita I.Pietikainen (both from Tampere University of Technology) etc.
The lecture courses for the Baccalaureate and Master’s study
programmes are delivered by Doctors of sciences and habilitated Doctors.
Doctoral studies are provided only by habilitated Doctors and Doctors of
sciences authorised to supervise work on Doctoral theses. The composition of
academic staff involved in the study programme “Textile and Clothing
Technology” is presented in the table given below.
Academic staff
Credit points for lecturing
Share of total CP in %
BSc
MSc Dr.Sc Total BSc
MSc Dr.Sc Total
Dr.habil.sc.ing.
8
24
35
77
40
36
58
49
Dr.sc.ing.
12
42
25*
79
60
64
42*
51
MSc
Note: * Doctors of sciences authorised to supervise work on Doctor’s theses
106744544
28
7. Quality assurance system (19.10)
The quality of the academic process determines the quality of the
qualification papers of the respective academic programmes. The qualification
committees incorporate also highly qualified external experts, thus ensuring
an objective assessment of the quality of the academic process.
The results of the qualification (or presentation) and each examination
period are discussed and analysed by the particular Professor’s groups and
the ITCT Council. A similar procedure is established when evaluating the
provision of the study process with technical and methodological resources,
as well as the qualification of the academic staff. Programmes are worked out
by the academic staff responsible for submission of academic subject
(course) proposals to the Register for approval in close co-operation with
lecturers delivering related courses to avoid duplication. The academic
programmes are approved by the Professors’ groups and are regularly
reviewed and updated.
The general quality assurance system is the following: self-evaluation
of programmes is carried out once in 2…3 years, analysis of the survey
results based on the questionnaire answered by students, academic staff,
graduates, and employers, as well as the results of the presentation of
qualification papers and academic performance, the issues related to the
advancement of qualifications of the academic staff, scientific research,
material and methodological provision of studies, and further perspectives of
the programme.
Professors’ groups and the ITCT Council discuss the programme.
These discussions stimulate the perfection of the programme, disclosure of
new perspective study directions, and enhancement of the responsibility of
the academic staff for provision of a qualitative academic process.
7.1. Strengths and weaknesses
The main feedback for disclosing the strengths and weaknesses of the
programme and its implementation, as well as for elaborating the strategic
development plan are the results of the questionnaire and the analysis of the
issues discussed by the structural units. The strengths and weaknesses of the
programme are presented in the table given below.
Factors
Financing:
for implementation of
the
study
programme:
Academic staff:
qualifications:
Strengths
Weaknesses
The structural units have
considerable freedom within
the limits of the allocated
budgets;
Insufficient state financing for
purchasing the necessary
equipment;
Motivated and internationally
recognized senior scientists;
Insufficient number of young
scientists ready to teach at the RTU
106744544
relations:
Students:
matriculation:
attitude to staff:
R&D
Study process:
BSc contents:
:
organization:
Outcomes:
qualified graduates:
R&D
29
Enthusiastic, collegial staff
relations;
Corresponding educational
prerequisites for all study
levels applicants
From collegial to close
relations at the final year
project;
Interest in actual industrial &
trade problems;
Basic sciences at BSc level;
Opportunities to take
languages and various
electives;
The existent ITCT as a
structural unit; European
mobility of some students;
Choice of electives and
projects for various sectors of
the T&CT;
Internationally recognized cooperation.
because of the low salaries;
Overburden of the senior staff
members;
Low popularity of engineering
sciences and low prestige of
employment in textile and clothing
industry;
Insufficient feedback;
Prevalence of short-term R&D
topics without high-tech facilities;
no BSc degree in multidisciplinary
T&CT available; irrelevant BSc core
courses
Insufficient computerisation;
obsolete machinery;
Insufficient curricular independence
necessary at Faculty level;
Insufficient skills in hightechnologies; insufficient skills to
use modern machinery;
Prevailing short-term applied
research.
7.2. Strategic development plan of the study programme (19.7)
1. Improvement of the study programme: to increase the share of the
specific textile and clothing courses within MVV1 and MVV4 studies; to
introduce new elective courses.
2. Financing: to increase state financing, especially funds for new
equipment and computerisation, as well as the portion allocated for
textile and clothing studies within RTU; to attract investments from the
Latvian Association of Textile and Clothing Industry or international cooperation projects; to expand contractual assignments.
3. Academic staff: to involve qualified experts from the industry and trade
for conducting the advanced courses; to extend and to continue
sending of staff for upgrading to universities of the EU countries.
4. Methodological and technical resources: to computerize the ITCT site;
to acquire the latest information for the RTU Library; to purchase, if
financing is made available, the necessary equipment, and to develop
e-learning programmes.
106744544
30
Summary
The study programme “Textile and Clothing Technology” was designed
by taking into account the experience amassed by tertiary education
institutions in other countries that provide similar study programmes, as well
as by using the previous experience of the senior academic staff members at
the ITCT.
When analysing the aims and objectives of the study programme, it
may be concluded that the study programme ensures a systematic and
consistent acquisition of the scope of the programme courses envisaged
successively for every particular semester. In elaborating the contents of the
programme, considering the optimum teaching methods to be used and in
updating the academic environment, the focus is being placed on the
professional advancement, development of personality, as well as the
perfection of analytical skills of the future professionals.
Financing for computerization and modernization of equipment is the
crucial necessity. Further measures should be taken to convince the Higher
Education Council (in order to avoid former over-unification of programmes,
e.g. previously in line with Mechanical Engineering, now in line with Materials
Technology) and the RTU Senate of the peculiarities of the textile and clothing
education, especially as to applicants from general secondary education, who
should become more competitive at the Baccalaureate level.
The Self-Evaluation Working Group is of the opinion that the
programme is perspective, correspondingly demanded in Latvia, and all subprogrammes leading to academic degrees of Bachelor, Master and Doctor
meet the generally accepted requirements established for the academic
programmes of the respective study levels in Latvia.
Steering committee for accreditation of the academic study programme
“Textile and Clothing Technology”
Chairman:
Professor A.Kļaviņš, Director of ITCT
Members:
Associate Professor H.Vinovskis
Associate Professor I.Krieviņš
Doctoral student S.Valaine
Riga, November 27, 2000