Engineering Education: Future Trends and Advances

Abstract: Engineering developments and innovations are being brought forward at an increasingly rapid rate, thereby forcing engineering educators to adapt to new realities. A reasoned response to such pressures is essential, because engineering education, and more broadly the engineering profession, advances best if challenges are identified early and well managed, opportunities are sought and where possible exploited beneficially, and speculation is made on future trends, based on logical assessments and reasoned arguments. In this article, the views of the presenter are described, based on his experiences as an engineering educator, administrator and practitioner, on future trends in engineering education, and on many related challenges and opportunities. This topic is of great importance because the advancement of engineering education is strongly influenced by its challenges and opportunities, as well as by future trends. The objective of the presentation is to improve engineering education by increasing awareness of these topics among engineering educators and others, and promoting active consideration and debate of potential actions in response to these issues