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Becoming an independent department within the Faculty of Technical Sciences (1905-1924)

Time period from 1905 to 1924 was characterized by preparations for introduction of a specialized educational programme for engineers-technologists, as the need for education of future chemistry and technology engineers grew. At that time, the first full-time professors were elected at the former Mechanical and Technical department of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, and thus, the technology classes were introduced. In 1910, the Chemical Technology Cabinet was established, whose name was changed to Chemical and Technical Institute in 1912 and it was kept until 1961. The laboratories for inorganic, analytical and organic chemistry were the integral parts of the Institute. Two significant persons marked this time period: Engineer Dušan Tomić (1875-1947), Professor of Mechanical Technology elected in 1905, and Engineer Kosta Todorović (1876-1953), Professor of Chemistry, Chemical Technology and Metallurgy elected in 1908, who afterwards established the Chemical and Technical Institute. These two Professors significantly contributed to introduction of specialized education for engineers-technologists, while during the time period from 1925 to 1941 they were also the heads of Technology Department one after another.

As a consequence of the World War I, the University was closed from 1914 to 1919, so the further changes in the preparatory period occurred not sooner than in 1923, when in addition to the two existing departments, the third - Technology Department was established within Mechanical and Electrical Engineering sector. This decision was a significant step towards the future development of these branches of technical sciences into independent departments, and further on, into the Faculties. The students of this new department attended a specialized educational programme that introduced the classes of chemistry and technology specifically, as well as the practice in chemical and technical laboratory, but also preparation of the thesis work within the field of technology.

By the end of 1923, a specialized education in chemistry was also introduced within the Faculty of Technical Sciences. Alekdandar Leko (1890-1982), elected as a Professor, was a significant person for development and operation of this department and the Faculty itself. He remained a Professor, Head of the Department and the Dean until his retirement in 1961.

From the Technology Department towards the Faculty of Technology (1925-1948)

Upon a proposal of the Mechanical and Technical Department Professors, namely Dušan Tomić, Kosta Todorović and Aleksandar Leko, in 1925 the Council of the Faculty of Technical Sciences issued a decision on establishing the independent Technology Department within the Faculty of Technical Sciences in addition to the three already existing departments. The amendments to the Regulation of the Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Belgrade, passed on 16/11/1925 represented a legal and lawful confirmation of this decision, and this day is celebrated even today as the Day of the Faculty.

From 1925 to 1941 an independent curriculum was adopted, but it was not significantly modified compared to the curriculum of the Technology Department - the subjects related to technology were widened and fewer new subjects introduced. One should bear in mind that the former Faculty of Technology included a comprehensive and unique education in which many of the subjects were common for all the students.  Thus, the first year of studies was the same for all the departments, second to a great extent, while the third and fourth year of studies were specific for certain departments, and so for Technology Department, as well.

Due to having the subjects common for all, many Professors were teaching at more departments, which caused, besides the new individual character of the departments and a large increase of the number of students, also the increased number of Professors teaching at Technology Department from three Professors in 1925 to seven Professors and eight Assistants in 1941, teaching subjects related to chemistry and technology, while the classes for other subjects were carried out by Professors and visiting Professors from other departments or Faculties and part-time Professors. The same time period marked a steady increase in the number of enrolled students. Upon establishment of Technology Department within Mechanical and Electrical Engineering sector, in 1922 about 15 students applied for the new department studies, and they later graduated from the Technology Department. Upon establishment of the Department in 1925, 20 students of Mechanical Engineering transferred to this department, while the same number of students enrolled in the first year of studies. Interest for this department grew; however, the enrolment was usually limited by available laboratory area. This is why, by the academic year 1936/37, approximately 30 students were enrolled per year, with a steady increase during the following years, until the number reached 170 enrolled students in the pre-war academic year 1940/41. As many as 464 students were enrolled at the Technology Department for the Winter Semester of the academic year 1940/41.

The number of graduates increased as well, but not at the same pace as the number of enrolled students. In 1925 and 1926, this Department saw 13 graduates who transferred to the Technology Department of the Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Sector, and who further acquired a diploma of "the Mechanical Engineer-Technologist". The first Engineers of Technology graduated in 1927 and this number fluctuated from 4 (1927) to over 20 in the late 1930s. During the time period 1925-1941, the total number of graduate Technology Engineers amounted 221, while also the number of 25 graduates who graduated during the Occupation period 1942/44, when the University was closed, should be added to this number. As previously mentioned, the first organizational unit of Chemical Technology was the Chemical and Technical Institute within the Mechanical and Technical Department. From its establishment in 1912 its premises were small and located in Kosmajska Street, i.e. Topličin Venac area, until 1924 when, right before the establishment of the Technology Department, it was given much larger premises in the new University building, at the square called Studentski trg. Since 1926, within the Chemical and Technical Institute, in addition to the existing ones, there were also laboratories for physical chemistry and electrochemistry, established by Dr. Engineer Panta Tutndžić (1900-1964), Professor of this Department elected the first academic year 1925/26, who was another significant person for the Faculty development and who later became the first Dean of the Faculty of Technology. Upon the construction of the Faculty of Technical Sciences building in 1930, located in Bulevar Revolucije 73, the Department moves its premises to this building, and shares it with three other Departments, where it stays until the construction of the building of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy was completed, where it remains until today. The same year, the Laboratory for Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry separated from the Chemical and Technical Institute and became the Institute of Physical Chemistry and Electrochemistry.

The Technology Department operated within the Faculty of Technical Sciences building, located in Bulevar Revolucije 73, from 1931 until it moved to a new building in 1959. During the Occupation period 1941-1944, the Technology Department suffered extensive damage. The occupying forces systematically and professionally stole the property of the Department, the books, magazines, devices, instruments, etc., and it should remain in memory that the organizer of all of this was an assistant Professor of the University of Munich (E. Kadmer). Just before the end of the war, in 1944, during one Anglo-American bombing of Belgrade, one part of the Faculty of Technical Sciences building was also demolished, when most of the laboratories within Chemical and Technical Institute were destroyed. One should also never forget all the people who lost their lives during the World War II as fighters or in concentration camps throughout Yugoslavia. The Faculty monograph that was issued in 1975 listed 44 names, of which a greater part was carved into a memorial, located in the Great Hall of the Faculty. Four of them were declared national heroes, while among those who fell during the War was the first graduate engineer of the Technology Department (Jovan Bozović). Right after the end of the War, during the mid 1945, it was started with planning and organising the classes. Out of 464 students enrolled in Winter Semester 1940/41, 160 students came back and they continued their studies by 1937 curriculum, as one "pre-war generation". Out of 15 Professors and Assistants, 4 Professors and 6 Assistants came back in 1945; 2 Professors were retired in 1945, while one emigrated. In terms of curricula, the post-war period was characterized by the following: regarding the first post-war generation, registered in the academic year 1945/46, the studies were prolonged to 10 semesters of which 9 were planned for classes and the 10th was planned for two elective courses, practice regarding some vocational subjects and thesis preparation. Regarding the 1937 curriculum, some courses were omitted, while the other, new ones, were introduced, some courses saw a change of content, and thus, a change in the number of lecture and practice hours, as well as in their arrangement by certain semesters. The following academic year 1946/47, the curriculum was changed, so the participation of technology courses was greater, and the number of chemistry courses was reduced, the total number of classes increased and three new courses were introduced.

A great lack of Professors was especially obvious by existence of two, i.e. three curricula: one for the "pre-war generation", and for the students enrolled in the academic year 1945/46 and 1946/47. This problem was solved by letting the senior Assistants organize the classes when there were no Professors available for a specific course, while later on they were elected as Assistant Professors during the election of Professors and Assistants. One of the interim solutions from the academic year 1947/48 was the election of students-assistants, who became gradually engaged in all the courses with experimental practices; about half of the courses were carried out by Professors teaching at other Departments of the Faculty of Technical Sciences. By the end of this time period, there were 9 Professors, 9 Assistants and 14 students-assistants teaching at this Department.

As a consequence of the post-war period 1941/45 during which the Faculty was closed, the number of graduates was significantly lower compared to the 1930s. The year 1945, thus, was the only year with no graduates at all since the establishment of the Department, while between 1946 and 1948 there were 26 post-was generation graduates. In addition to the pre-war generation of students that included about 160 students from different generations who continued their studies, since 1945 about 150-200 students were enrolled in the first year at the Department annually, mostly those who participated in the War, belonging to different generations, who were not able to study for the University was closed, due to mobilization, or for they were distracted from the high school graduating.

Reorganization of classes began in 1945 in a severely damaged building, with most of the laboratories of the Chemical and Technical Institute destroyed, so the practice was held in groups, while two students were often doing the same practice. The reconstruction of destroyed part of the Faculty of Technical Sciences building was completed in 1947, when the Department, in addition to its 160 refurbished laboratory work places also gained, thanks to other Departments, new premises on the 1st floor of the building, so at the beginning of 1947 it had 280 work places in total, which enabled laboratory practice for all the enrolled students.

The Faculty of Technology (1948-1966)

During 1948 the two decisions of a great significance for the future work and development of the Faculty were adopted: establishment of the Faculty of Technology and of the Metallurgy Department within the Faculty. University was reorganized by the 1948 Decree, when the Faculty of Technical Sciences became the independent Great Technical School, while the Technology Department became the Faculty of Technology within the Great Technical School. This University reorganisation soon proved to be impractical, thus, the Great Technical School was closed in 1954, while all the Faculties it consisted of became integral part of the University. Faculty establishment enabled the Council of Faculties to adopt a decision on establishment of Metallurgy Department in 1949, providing an opportunity for sub-specialization, so the two Departments were founded: Technology and Metallurgy Department.

Before explaining this period of time, it is necessary to accentuate probably the most significant event in the development of the Faculty - the construction of a new building, with almost 60 years long history. Even before the World War II, the need for moving to a new building was obvious, due to insufficient and mostly adapted areas of the Department. During 1930-1934, the design for the new building was made, but the construction hadn't started until 1941. After 1945, the attempts to start with construction in line with this design failed, so a new design was made in 1949/50, by which a new building of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy was planned. The preparatory works started, but they were soon cancelled due to a decision of the governmental bodies. After numerous initiatives of Professors and students, the necessary funds were granted in 1954 and the construction began. It was completed in 1960, while the Faculty moved to the premises in 1959, before the building construction was completed. How great the changes were regarding working conditions, could be visible from the data showing that the Faculty area used since 1947 within the building of the Technical Faculties was about 3300m2, while now, in the new building, it amounted about 13000 m2.

This period of time saw permanent changes in curricula caused by a realistic need for providing sub-specialization, i.e. for introduction of the new courses, but also by inconsistent, and sometimes wrong politics of educational authorities regarding the educational system and material conditions for studying.

In the academic year 1948/49, a new curriculum was already implemented, according to which the first two years were common for all the students, while from the third year the specialization was possible towards technology and metallurgy. A new 1949/50 curriculum introduced minor changes compared to the previous one. A new curriculum was adopted again in 1956/57 and it once again provided minor changes for students of technology, where in the fifth year of studies there were only two elective courses and thesis preparation. More significant changes occurred in the curriculum for metallurgy students, with specialization from the third year, in which most of the courses were cancelled or replaced by other courses, while the fifth year was consistent with the Technology Department. Serious curriculum changes occurred in the academic year 1959/60, having the following concept:

  1. Duration of studies was reduced from ten to eight semesters, including thesis preparation,
  2. Further specialization was provided by establishment of the three Departments: Chemistry and Technology, Metallurgy, and Food Technology Department,
  3. Three Departments were established within Chemistry and Technology Department: Inorganic Engineering and Technology, Organic Engineering and Technology, and Textile Department,
  4. The courses within Chemistry and Technology Department were the same for all the students the first three years, while specialization was possible from the fourth year,
  5. Within the Metallurgy Department, specialization was performed from the first year,
  6. Students of the Food Technology and Chemistry and Technology Department attended the same courses during the first two years, with specialization from the third academic year.

The next great change, not only within curricula, but also within the entire educational system occurred as soon as in 1960/61. Regardless of disapproval of the Faculty, the national authorities introduced a levelled educational system, not only to the Faculty of Technology, but also to the entire University. This system introduced the first and second educational level, each lasting for four semesters, while the postgraduate studies belonged to the third level of education. During the first level, the students were supposed to obtain certain theoretical and specialized practical knowledge enabling them to be employed with the professional title of Engineer. After completed first level, students could continue education on the second level, and acquire the professional title of graduate Engineer upon its completion. In order to make this concept possible, a new curriculum was adopted, having the following characteristics:

  1. The first year was common for all the students,
  2. During the second year, students of Technology could choose specialization in eight professions, having all the courses in common except one professional course,
  3. Metallurgy students had comprehensive curriculum during the second year,
  4. On the second level, the courses were specialized for seven Technology and two Metallurgy departments, having many courses in common,
  5. In the fourth semester of the second educational level, more classes were attended, of which one was elective and the thesis was prepared, as well.

During the school year 1965/66, the levelled educational system was abandoned, as it was probably the biggest failure in educational development at the Faculty. The main reason for leaving this system was that the students who graduated from the first level, would almost without exception immediately continue their education on the second level, so the illogical inversion introduced to the educational system proved to be completely unnecessary. The re-introduction of a continuous educational system led to adoption of a new curriculum, providing specialization for 11 engineer profiles within technology and metallurgy, which had the following characteristics:
 

  1. The studies were extended to 9 semesters,
  2. The first year was common for all the students,
  3. During the second year, the courses were specialized for Technology and Metallurgy Departments,
  4. During the third year, the courses provided further specialization in 5 Departments:
  1. Inorganic Technology
  2. Organic Technology,
  3. Textile,
  4. Chemical Engineering and
  5. Metallurgy Department.
  1. The number of specialized teaching groups on the fourth academic year: 3 for education in Inorganic Technology, 4 for education in Organic Technology and 2 for education in Metallurgy, while education regarding other Departments was comprehensive,
  2. The 9th semester was dedicated solely to thesis preparation.

As previously mentioned, during the last year before the Faculty was established, there were nine Professors and nine Assistants teaching, together with students-assistants and participation of a greater number of visiting Professors teaching at other Departments of the Faculty of Technical Sciences. Between 1948 and 1966, the number of teaching staff increased, the students-assistants and the visiting Professors coming from other Faculties were replaced by elected permanent and full-time Professors for the non-basic courses. This way of development was inevitable due to a great increase of the number of students, that made common courses with other technical Faculties almost impossible, and also due to curriculum modifications, prolonged studies and specialized courses, but also due to introduction of a greater number of new courses. Hence, the total number of teaching staff amounted 40 at the beginning of this period of time, while in 1960 this number exceeded 100. In 1966 the number of teaching stuff reached 163, including 17 full-time employed Professors, 13 Associate Professors, 38 Assistant Professors, 5 Teachers and 90 Assistants. During this time period, the first Faculty lecturers of the "pre-war generation" (1959) and the first post-war generation (1958) were elected.
 

Upon establishment of the Faculty, the enrolment of a great number of students in the first academic year continued, and during 1948-1952, the time when the number of enrolled students at technical Faculties was limited, this number amounted 200 students per year. In 1953, after adopting a decision on unlimited number of enrolled students, applicable to all the Faculties, which represented one more wrong decision of educational authorities that had long-lasting negative consequences, 380 students were enrolled in the first academic year, which led further, with later enrolments, to a great increase in the total number of students, which in the period 1953-1959 amounted about 1000-1400. This is how from 1960 the number of enrolled students significantly exceeded 2000 and this trend was continued during the following years. Since 1962/63, the Faculty was yearly enrolling about 400 students in the first academic year, selected by classification exams.

This time period was marked by great differences in the number of graduates during certain years. After a relatively small number of 12-27 graduates between 1948-1950, when the graduates were mostly students of the "pre-war generation", in 1951 there was a sharp increase to 45 graduates. Between 1952-1960, this number amounted about 90-150, while in 1961 there were about 250 graduates, which remained the same during the following years. These numbers indicate a negative phenomenon of abandonment and prolongation of studies, for there were huge discrepancies between the number of enrolled students and graduates.

The Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy (1996-2013)

Since 1993, the curriculum included eight educational profiles, and it remained valid in the same form, with few minor changes, for the students enrolled until the academic year 1997/1998. The new curriculum was adopted in 1998 and it included eight Departments:

  • Inorganic Chemical Technology,
  • Organic Chemical Technology and Polymer Engineering,
  • Chemical Engineering,
  • Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology,
  • Textile Engineering,
  • Printing Technology,
  • Environmental Engineering and
  • Metallurgy and Metals.

The Statute of the Faculty from 2002 offers the following study programmes:  Undergraduate, Specialist, Master and Doctoral studies. In the year 2003, a new curriculum for undergraduate studies was adopted, including eight Departments, as in 1998, while the three new Departments were added:

  1. Pharmaceutical Engineering,
  2. Materials Engineering and
  3. Design and Technology of Textile Products

The first generation of students was enrolled in Doctoral studies during academic year 2004/2005, within the field of Chemistry and Chemical Technology (including 15 profiles) and Metallurgy (including 7 profiles).

Major modifications of educational system occurred by passing the Law on Higher Education in 2005, by which a new system of studying consistent with Bologna Declaration principles was introduced. By the Statute of the Faculty from 2006, the studies carried out at the Faculty were reorganized and the European Credit Transfer System  (ECTS) was implemented.

Types and levels of studies currently offered by the Faculty:

  • Undergraduate Study Programme, lasting 4 years, during which students can earn 240 ECTS;
  • Undergraduate Study Programme, lasting 3 years, during which students can earn 180 ECTS;
  • Master Academic Study Programme, lasting 1 year, during which students can earn 60 ECTS;
  • Master Academic Study Programme, lasting 2 years, during which students can earn 120 ECTS;
  • Doctoral Studies, lasting 3 years, during which students can earn 180 ECTS;

In 2005, the curricula for all the study programmes, harmonized with Bologna Declaration principles were adopted:

Undergraduate Study Programme:

  1. Chemical Engineering Study Programme, with following modules:
  • Organic Chemical Technology and Polymer Engineering,
  • Inorganic Chemical Technology,
  • Chemical Process Engineering,
  • Pharmaceutical Engineering,
  • Printing Technology,
  • Electrochemical Engineering,
  • Technology Control,
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Materials Engineering
  1. Biotechnology Study Programme
  2. Metallurgy and Metals Study Programme
  3. Textile Technology Study Programme;

Doctoral Studies - fields:

  • Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, including the following profiles: Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemical Technology, Inorganic Chemistry and Inorganic Chemical Technology, Technological Control, Electrochemistry and Electrochemical Engineering, Pharmaceutical Engineering, Printing Technology Engineering,
  • Chemistry and Materials Engineering, including the following modules: Ceramic Materials, Polymer Materials, Metals, Composite materials, Organic Materials Chemistry, Inorganic Materials Chemistry,
  • Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering, with modules: Biotechnology, Biochemical Engineering,
  • Chemical Engineering,
  • Metallurgy and Metals, including the following modules: Metallurgical Engineering and Metallurgy and Welding Technology, 
  • Textile Engineering,
  • Environmental Engineering.

The first generation of students enrolled in Master Academic studies during academic year 2006/2007.

In 2007, the curriculum of Master Academic Study Programme was adopted, with the following study modules:

  1. Inorganic Chemical Technology
  2. Chemical Engineering
  3. Pharmaceutical Engineering
  4. Printing Technology,
  5. Environmental Engineering
  6. Materials Engineering
  7. Electrochemical engineering,
  8. Technology control
  9. Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology
  10. Textile Engineering
  11. Metallurgy and Metals

In 2007, the new curriculum of Doctoral Study Programme was adopted, with the following Study modules:

  1. Environmental Engineering
  2. Metallurgical Engineering
  3. Chemistry and Chemical Technology
  4. Chemical Engineering
  5. Chemistry and Materials Engineering
  6. Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering
  7. Textile Engineering

In 2008, the new curricula for all the Study Programmes harmonized with Bologna Declaration principles were adopted and accredited by the Commission for Accreditation and Quality Assurance of the competent Ministry:

Undergraduate Study Programme:

  1. Chemical Engineering Study Programme, with following modules:
  • Chemical Process Engineering,
  • Organic Chemical Technology,
  • Polymer Engineering,
  • Pharmaceutical Engineering,
  • Inorganic Chemical Technology,
  • Quality Control,
  • Electrochemical Engineering
  1. Materials Engineering Study Programme
  2. Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology Study Programme
  3. Environmental Engineering Study Programme
  4. Metallurgical Engineering Study Programme
  5. Textile Technology Study Programme;

Master Academic Study Programme:

  1. Chemical Engineering Study Programme, with following modules:
  • Chemical Process Engineering,
  • Organic Chemical Technology,
  • Polymer Engineering,
  • Pharmaceutical Engineering,
  • Inorganic Chemical Technology,
  • Quality Control,
  • Electrochemical Engineering
  1. Materials Engineering Study Programme
  2. Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology Study Programme, with following modules:
  • Biochemical Engineering
  • Food Biotechnology
  1. Environmental Engineering Study Programme
  2. Metallurgical Engineering Study Programme
  3. Textile Technology Study Programme;

Doctoral Study Programme:

  1. Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology Study Programme
  2. Chemistry Study Programme
  3. Chemical Engineering Study Programme
  4. Environmental Engineering Study Programme
  5. Materials Engineering Study Programme
  6. Metallurgical Engineering Study Programme
  7. Textile Engineering Study Programme

Between 1996 and 2013, the number of teaching staff was reduced, and according to the data from 23/05/2014, the total number of teaching stuff amounted 105, out of which 48 were full-time Professors, 35 Associate Professors, 19 Assistant Professors, 2 Assistants and 1 foreign language Professor.

Between 1996 and 2005, the number of students enrolled in the first academic year varied from 300 to 400 students, while the time period between 2006 and 2008 recorded a drop in the number of students enrolled in the first academic year. Since 2009, the number of enrolled students has been constantly growing. In 2012 and 2013 the quota for studies financed from the state budget and granted by the relevant Ministry was met. Since 2008, within the accredited Master Studies, the quota of 170 students was reached every year, while the number of students enrolled in accredited Doctoral Studies, in the same period, varied from 40 to 95.

Since the establishment of the Faculty until 31/12/2013, 12,604 students were awarded Diplomas of the Faculty of Technology and Metallurgy:

  • Undergraduate Diploma, according to the former Law, was awarded to 10.345 students;
  • Undergraduate Diploma, according to the new Law, was awarded to 302 students;
  • Master Academic Studies Diploma was awarded to 230 students;
  • Specialist Studies Diploma for the relevant field was awarded to 76 students;
  • Technical Studies Master Diploma for was awarded to 974 students;
  • Doctoral Studies Diploma, according to the former Law, was awarded to 664 students;
  • Doctoral Studies Diploma, according to the new Law, was awarded to 13 students;