The engineering direction of technological educational institutes in Greece

It is the policy of most countries to direct their educational system according to the needs that may arise from historical, socio-economic and commercial reasons. The Greek engineering educational system is comprised of various engineering fields, most of which are offered by universities, and technological and educational institutes (TEIs) of the country. The engineering curriculum at a TEI is structured to offer an applied knowledge of engineering technology. In the paper, the authors address the contents of engineering studies at a TEI. The curriculum of studies is also compared to the respective curricula of other engineering departments in Europe. Recent changes in Greek legislation now allow TEIs to organise postgraduate studies in cooperation with universities. The significance of this alteration in improving engineering education at TEIs is also discussed. Some findings on the curriculum, which is poor in courses in the fundamental sciences of physics, mathematics and chemistry, are discussed, especially with respect to the impact that they have on a student's ability to understand applied technology and pursue a postgraduate degree. Furthermore, the needs of the Greek market for engineering graduates are discussed in both the private and governmental sectors.