Department history

Foundation

The department was established by order of the rector of the Kharkiv Aviation Institute. The first head was Dmytro Ivanovych Kostiuk.

Re-evacuation from Kazan

During World War II the institute was based in Kazan. After the re-evacuation in late 1943 the department had to start from scratch. Three small rooms were used as classrooms.

• 4 teachers on staff

Stabilization of the educational process

The department was equipped with teaching aids, parts, assemblies, models and drawings for individual tasks.

• 8 teachers on staff
• Descriptive geometry course — 102 hours (2 semesters)
• Mechanical engineering drawing course — 187 hours (4 semesters)

Course expansion and industrial partnerships

The course "Engineering Graphics" was first introduced for students of faculties №3 and №5. The department established creative ties with the Kharkiv plants KhTZ, Serp i Molot, Mekhanolit and others.

• Workbooks with 200+ problems
• Partnerships with KhTZ, Serp i Molot, Mekhanolit
• Classrooms with drafting tools and assembly units

First elements of computer graphics

Elements of analytical geometry and computer graphics were introduced into the classical courses of the department. Two candidates of technical sciences were trained.

• Computer graphics laboratory established
• ARM-M automated complex
• Educational TV complexes with VCRs
• Regular screenings of educational films on descriptive geometry

Computer revolution in teaching

Active introduction of computer graphics, geometric modeling and design automation courses. The department was renamed the "Department of Graphic and Computer Modeling".

• 3 computer classrooms
• Transition to AutoCAD-10/13/14 and KOMPAS software
• 15+ courses for all specialties
• 20 teachers — leading position in Ukraine
• 1998 · Olympiads launched in descriptive geometry (problem solving) and computer graphics (3D modeling)
• 2003 · First English-language courses for international students

Modern department name

More than 10 new courses were introduced. In 2015 the department was renamed the "Department of Descriptive Geometry and Computer Modeling".

• 2015 · Modern department name
• Adoption of Autodesk Inventor and SolidWorks in the educational process
• 2011–2019 · Department hosts Round 2 of the All-Ukrainian Olympiad in descriptive geometry and geometric modeling

Research and methodological work

The department staff develops and periodically publishes methodological guidelines and textbooks. Faculty members actively participate in international, all-Ukrainian and city scientific conferences.

• Annual all-Ukrainian olympiads in descriptive geometry and geometric modeling
• Active participation in international conferences
• 2022 — launched the bachelor’s educational program "Computer Design and 3D Modeling"

Today

Since September 2023, Kateryna Petrivna Msallam, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor, has been the head of the department. The department continues to train specialists in aviation, rocket and space and other industries using multimedia technologies and modern software. The educational process actively uses SolidWorks, Blender, Autodesk AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, 3ds Max, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and other modern tools for 3D modeling, animation, engineering design, and digital visualization.

• 2025 — launched the educational program "Geometric Modeling and Visualization of Industrial Products"
• Cooperation with industry stakeholders: EVA Chargers LLC, Grand Marin LLC and others
• Digital stack: SolidWorks · Blender · Autodesk AutoCAD · Autodesk Inventor · 3ds Max · Adobe Photoshop · Adobe Illustrator