Abstract:

In recent years there have been many discussions regarding teaching mathematics in schools and universities, particularly concerning the necessity of encouraging students to focus more on studying mathematics. Since the entrance exam at universities in Latvia was cancelled long ago, the admission to studies at Riga Technical University (RTU) has been based on the results of the School Centralized Examinations (CE), where results are graded from 0% to 100%. Unfortunately, students with very low CE marks on Mathematics (e.g. below 30% or even 20%), may be also admitted to RTU, even though competency in mathematical subjects are required for engineering students. Further to this, many foreign students start studies at RTU with a low level of mathematical knowledge, and the number of foreign students enrolled in studies at RTU is increasing significantly every year. Under such conditions, the work of RTU Professors becomes very challenging.

In order to ensure a high quality study process, each study subject should be aware of the knowledge, skills and competences that it will provide to students, as well as their relevance to a potential future employer's skills requirements. The quality of students' competence depends on the amount of knowledge they have acquired in a discipline, and this includes mathematics. In the study process, students more and more actively use ORTUS, the MOODLE based e-learning portal, the strategic aim of which is to provide sustainable development of e-learning at the University based on a synergy of research, innovation and quality assurance.

In this paper, the authors, Professors of the Department of Engineering Mathematics, analyze in detail the knowledge of foreign students in mathematics at RTU, as well as the use of the latest teaching methods, technical teaching aids and information technology to develop theses students’ learning skills. Study should provide those versatile and life-long skills and competencies that are useful in different spheres of life, and that develop in the young engineer the professional qualities that help him/her to be competitive in the labour market.

Keywords:

Engineering higher education, foreign students, knowledge, skills, competences.