University-Enterprise Cooperation: Experience of a Base Department in Engineer Training

This article discusses the problems and prospects of university-enterprise cooperation in the sphere of engineer training, in particular the phenomenon of ‘base departments’. The article focuses on the case of the Aeronautical Engineering Department of the Don State Technical University, whose purpose is to train engineering staff for the partner aerospace enterprise PAO Rostvertol.The study draws from the empirical data collected through the sociological survey of the Department’s faculty and students as well as the partner enterprise’s employees (graduates) and managers. Methodologically and conceptually, the study relies on the systemic approach, stakeholder theory, theory of competencies and the method of situation analysis. We sought to evaluate the sufficiency and relevance of the hard and soft skills that students developed during their studies at the Department. It is shown that the Department has managed to provide its students and graduates with a sufficient level of hard and soft skills to enhance their employability in aeronautical engineering. The Department uses a dual education system, which combines work-based learning with theoretical courses. In future, it is planned to expand this system and maximize student engagement by encouraging students to do their individual research projects at the partner enterprise.The research findings may be used to develop strategies of university-enterprise cooperation and to assess the efficiency of the training process.