Whither management studies in Australian engineering undergraduate courses

In response to a perceived need for management studies in engineeringundergraduate courses, the Institution of Engineers, Australia (IEAust)mandated a requirement for 10% of course content to be managementstudies in Australia in 1991. In 1996 a major review of engineeringeducation in Australia recommended that the IEAust move from a courseaccreditation regime based on prescribed inputs to one based ondemonstrated graduate attributes. In the move to the new accreditationsystem the policy on management studies in engineering undergraduatecourses has become less definitive and more open to interpretation byindividual educational institutions. A survey of recent engineeringgraduates suggests that those management skills most highly valued bygraduates were generic professional practice skills, and that moreopportunities to develop these skills in undergraduate studies would bebeneficial. Survey respondents suggested the inclusion in the course ofmore real world examples of engineering management, including casestudies, hands-on activities, industry visits, more in-depth coverage oftopics, and presentations from practicing professionals.