5. OTHER MEASURES OF REGULATION

5.1. Improving admissions to technical studies

One aspect, established by the actual regulation, which limits student admission in the university study of computer and telecommunications, is the method of transition, from PAU(University Entrance Exams) to these studies.

Therefore, as established by the ammendment 25.11.99, study admission for first and second cycle in highway, canal, and portuary engineers, geological engineer, mining engineer, industrial engineer, naval engineer, etc., can be realized from two PAU options, from technical science and health science. As opposed to, computer engineers or telecommunication engineers, for those two it is only possible to be admitted from one option: the technical sciences.

Analogically, in first cycle study cases, the above mentioned ammendment, establishes the possibility to admit technical engineers from mechanics, mining, industrial chemistry, naval, public works, etc. from the above mentioned two options. Entrance to telecommunication engineering, in its four specialities, and for technical engineering in computers, acquisition, and systems is limited, for students who have not completed superior level training courses, to the technical sciences option of the PAU.

This restrictive characteristic is reflected in the selection possibilities of the student´s university studies and, consequently, complicates the demand/need for courses in computer and telecommunications for students who have obtained the health sciences option from PAU. This incidence is especially significant in the case of women since they make up the majority in this option. For example, in the university pre-inscription of June 2000, of the 4.351 who followed the health and sciences option, 3.450 were women, representing 79,3%.

It seems prudent to realize any necessary actions in collaboration with the Central Administration, which has jurisdiction in this field. Moreover, considering that these studies are founded in the configuration of the information society, which every day is stronger in its transversal character.

On the other hand, it is necessary to add that this admission process diversification already exists in the high level training cycle area. Therefore, from these it is possible to enter in computer and telecommunication technical engineering proceding from a wide range of titles, for example, administration, graphic arts, publicity, etc.

In this way, it is necessary to add to these regulations character changes with an intesified orientation for the students in order to advise them about the appropriate study options with the goal of obtaining a solid study base in the TIC area.

5.2 Sillibus reform plan

As has been indicated, the technological influence has a linear character. In other words, it is not limited to those disciplines with their total specialization in computers and telecommunications, which are the motor of the technological change, but it also extends to the rest of the disciplines.

Therefore, it is very important to guarantee that the graduates from the different professions, can practice in their professions with the utmost ease due to having adequate training for the new necesities. The courses would have to follow their role, but it would be illogical if they did not adopt the necessary actions in order to make sure that the new tiltle holders receive training appropriately up to date while they are studying.

Unfortunately, there still exist cases of study plans that do not incorporate computer studies as a necessary material, as core courses and obligatory. If it is true, that the students can complement their training with optional credits or electives, the tendency to opt out of these materials could exist , due to an insufficient integration in the specifications of the study plan, or simply because the students do not have the appropriate previous training.

Then, as an example, it is significant that of the ten most solicited courses as first choice in the pre-inscription process, in the school year 2000-2001, as analyzed in the 95 centers where these courses were offered, in 28 of those they offer computer courses in some form (applied sciences, computer language and systems, labor relations and computers,...), as a core course or obligatory course, but in 67 centres, (70,5%) these courses still do not form part of their core or obligatory course study plan.

It is also relevant, that in four titles oriented towards training teachers, given in 23 centres, only in 7 centres (30%) are computers offered as part of their core or obligatory course study plan.

On the other hand, in this study plan reformation process, a model that is worthy of consideration is that of double titles (particularly with one of them being in the TIC arena), to which the student could enter studying the core courses of the two titles and those obligatory, optional and electives, that the university or universities who together outline this idea, determine. These options, for which precedents already exist in the Catalan university system, could prolong course study for one or more years, but they offer more options to the student in her professional development.

5.3 Program cycle

As we have indicated, one object to aim for is to have the students finish their studies and that the numer of students who drop out be reduced.

Now, as an incentive for those who abandon their studies without acquiring the maximun number of credits, who have disposable knowledge in the realized studies, the idea is to establish a diploma of intermediate character that would serve as acreditation, verifying exactly that which they have finished.

On the other hand, for careers of first and second cycle it might be convenient to encourage their cycle structure, as encouraged in the Bolognia Letter (la Carta de Bol÷nia), in order to also favor the gradual progression of studies and specialization in a defined flexible itinerary/schedule.

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