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Engineering Education for a Global Economy

 

Engineering Education for a Global Economy
October 20-24, 2002
Shanghai and Beijing, China

The fifth event in the decade-long series was the China-U.S. Seminar on Engineering Education for a Global Economy, held October 20-24, 2002, in Shanghai and Beijing. Its theme addressed changing demands for engineering education in the global knowledge-based economy. Underlying the selection of this theme was the assumption that a deeper understanding of and appreciation for differing perspectives and approaches to associated issues will improve planning and implementation--nationally, bilaterally, and regionally--for the effective and balanced development of a global workforce.

There were three topical themes of the seminar:

  1. Lifelong Learning & Distance Education.  The rapid pace of technological change necessitates means for engineers to learn continuously throughout their careers.  How can they best achieve life-long learning and how can universities and companies best provide opportunities for such learning?  What role should universities play in retraining engineers for career changes later in life?
  2. Globalization of Engineering Education.  The development of the global economy has made more companies multi-national based.  International cooperation and collaboration for engineering is becoming a common phenomenon.  Questions considered included the following.  What influence should globalization have in shaping policies?  How should engineering education curricula and programs be adapted to match this changing environment?  How should accreditation in different countries be handled?
  3. Innovation and Creation in Engineering Education.  The soul of engineering is innovation and creation.  Explicit knowledge is generally taught well and transferred easily.  Implicit or tacit knowledge, frequently referred as “know-how,” is not taught well.  The seminar considered the following questions.  How can the principles of knowledge management be applied to strengthen engineering education in the global economy?  How can students' identities be strengthened and how can students be encouraged to think critically?  What role can partnerships and research parks play in preparing students to be future innovators?

 

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