Engineering Professors’ Council

Future Programmes Working Group Report – February 2008

Background

A number of organisations are developing views of what is expected of graduates in the 21st century.  This includes the government’s drive towards skill based education through work experience, the Royal Academy’s view of the 21st Century engineering education which is systems based, the Sector Skills Councils developing qualification frameworks, EC(UK)’s UK Spec, the professional institutions guidelines for integration of skills within a technical framework, the demands of industry for increased engagement with universities, and the international recognition of the engineering education.

There is also increasing emphasis on process driven education and education that responds to student feedback.

These drivers have the potential to create tension within higher education.  Therefore a working group is being formed to develop an understanding of the drivers and the impact they could have upon the engineering education.  This is to inform EPC members and ensure that we have an input into the developing agenda for change.

Membership

The group has yet to be formed but discussions have started with various bodies to seek their support and understand their level of interest.  Their reaction has been supportive and they wish to engage which suggests that EPC may have a role to play in integrating these different drivers. 

The suggested membership is:-

EPC members, RAE, EC(UK), Sector Skills Council, Government, Professional Institutions.

Activity

The current approach is to meet with representatitives of these organisations and determine their level of interest with the aim of the first meeting of the group after Easter.

The first task is to establish current and future trends and ensure that all those organisations that are engaged in future of engineering education are involved.

The second task is developing an overview of these trends and given guidance to our members and those organisations that are seeking to influence the education of engineers.

BGC  12.2.08.