Ecological engineering education: ways of formation and development

Abstract

A system approach based on ecological and economic development required organizing the specialists training in the field of industrial ecology which was first established in our country in the 70s of the last century. In Polzunov Altai State Technical University (AltSTU) at the Department of Chemical Engineering and Engineering Ecology the training of environmental engineers began in the following areas: protection of the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere from industrial pollution with a specialization in wasted gases purification, wastewater treatment and solid waste recycling. Along with the educational process the scientific direction of creating energy efficient and resource-saving low-waste technologies and natural and waste water treatment was organized. In this area a large number of PhD and doctoral works based on innovative technologies in the field of separation of liquid industrial mixtures - wastes of various industries, as well as water treatment and water purification processes, were performed. More than 1000 environmental engineers have been trained since the creation of the program. Most of them stayed to work in Altai Krai. The accumulated experience made it possible to create a system of advanced training for engineering personnel in the field of environmental protection and ecological security and to win the Russian presidential grants including overseas internships in Sweden and Finland. This allowed to get acquainted with the concept of the best available technologies in the field of environmental protection for sustainable development.