Department history
From three rooms and four teachers in 1943 to 12 faculty and 30+ disciplines today. This is our heritage.
Key milestones
Nine decades of evolution — from drafting board to AR/VR
Foundation
The department was established by order of the rector of the Kharkiv Aviation Institute. The first head was Dmytro Ivanovych Kostyuk.
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 to "Graphic Computer Modeling".
- 3 computer classrooms
- Transition to AutoCAD-10/13/14 and Compass 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 2010 the department was renamed to "Department of Descriptive Geometry and Computer Modeling".
- 2010 · 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, PhD, 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
Department heads
Continuity of leadership since 1945
Academic and creative ties
The department maintains and develops partnerships with national and foreign institutions