EE Times Asia, January 1
At the International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), James Plummer, Dean of Engineering and Professor of Electrical Engineering at Stanford University, warned that U.S. universities must change or reform engineering education to address a future talent shortfall in the discipline. Moreover, Plummer pointed out that the future of engineering education will have an impact on U.S. competitiveness in an increasingly global and flat world. Any change must start with the curriculum of engineering schools. Rather than following the curriculum model of law and medicine, engineering should follow an approach that combines the current engineering curriculum with classes in related and unrelated fields.
As a result of these proposed curriculum changes, Plummer notes, engineering schools will be able to develop ”T-shaped” people. While engineers need to learn their discipline in depth, they also need to expand and broaden their education in areas beyond math, science and related classes. Engineering schools must teach students how to innovate and be creative. In addition, engineering schools must teach entrepreneurship, instruct students how to work well as a member of a diverse team and offer undergraduate research programs in a faculty lab or related setting.
Offering student competitions, such as the Darpa Grand Challenge, is one way to inspire the next generation of engineers. Engineering schools must provide global knowledge and experience, such as through summer internships in companies worldwide. Engineering schools must teach better communication skills and offer life-long learning programs, such as online courses and free lectures. Finally, engineering schools must teach why engineering is important in solving the next wave of problems in technology, life sciences and alternative energy.
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Tags: Electrical Engineering, Engineering Education, Engineering schools
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