Effective methods and emerging trends in engineering education

Abstract EN

Engineering education plays a very important role in the social and economic development of a nation as well as its standing in the world.

During the 19th and 20th centuries, engineering “disintegrated” into specific disciplines.

The 21st century will instead be a time of integration, as the various sub-disciplines of the sciences and engineering converge.

Moreover, the emergence of the world economy has led to a real need to develop a global awareness in the minds of today’s engineering students.

They need to recognize that being bright and technically sound and motivated is not enough.

They must also have skills to defend and sell technical ideas as well as excellent oral and written communication skills for a successful career.

Universities must provide guidance and a curriculum making the achievement of this goal possible for all students.

They must also have to continuously develop innovative approaches to education delivery and training as well as offer knowledge in a motivating way and insure retention.

The actual paper reviews some aspects of the traditional system of engineering education particularly in the North African countries as well as in some European countries (France and Germany).

It also presents the emerging trends in engineering education and discusses the key characteristics of the 21st century engineer.

Instructional methods and quality assessment and certification are also reviewed.