工程学科制度化及其对大学发展的影响

Engineering Discipline Institutionalization and its Influence on University Development

工程知识自诞生以来就被古希腊先哲们归入了“鄙俗技艺”的行列,加之其自身的实践性、专业性以及职业性的教育特征,因此历经艰辛才以不同的方式进入大学,在不同的国家走上了制度化发展的道路。然而,传统大学却也因工程学科的进入迎来了新的发展机遇与挑战。工程学科制度化对大学发展的影响首先体现在大学理念转型上,传统的自由教育理念遭到了实用主义者的质疑,迫使大学理念不断堕于功利主义。其次,随着工业革命的迭代,工程学科与经济发展的关系愈加密切,大学不得不走出象牙塔,增强自身科学研究和社会服务的职能。同时,工程学科的实践性要求大学为其社会后果负责,大学的学术自由变得更加敏感,课程设置也日趋专业化和职业化。然而,高等教育不能回避其历史本质,大学未来发展尤其是工科发展决策需要理性对待,而非一味迎合社会需要。

Since its birth,engineering knowledge has been classified as"vulgar skills"by ancient Greek philosophers,and coupled with its own practical,professional and professional education characteristics,so it has gone through hardships to enter universities in different ways,and embarked on the road of institutionalized development in different countries.However,the traditional university has also ushered in new opportunities and challenges due to the entry of engineering discipline.The impact of the institutionalization of engineering disciplines on the development of universities is first reflected in the transformation of university concepts.The traditional liberal education concept has been questioned by pragmatists,forcing the university concept to fall into utilitarianism.Secondly,with the iteration of the Industrial Revolution,the engineering discipline is more closely related to economic development,and universities have to step out of the ivory tower to enhance their scientific research and social service functions.At the same time,the practical nature of the engineering disci⁃pline requires universities to take responsibility for its social consequences,the academic freedom of universi⁃ties has become more sensitive,and the curriculum has become more specialized and professional.Higher edu⁃cation,however,could not avoid its historical nature,especially university's future development engineering de⁃velopment decision-making needs rational treatment rather than blindly cater to the need of society.