A Perspective on Globalization of Engineering

C. (Ravi) Ravindran, FCAE, P.EngPresident

Canadian Academy of Engineering

Future of Engineering Education and Licensure

June 21, 2007Professional Engineers Ontario

Globalization of Engineering

• Migration of Engineers• Natural effect of New World Order• Multinational Corporations• National Corporations with Manufacturing,

Design, Research, Development Facilities in Foreign Countries

• Reduced Costs• Rapid E-based communications resulting in

economy and increased profit

• Delegates presented: Achievements and Concerns unique to their countries

• Commonality: Need for Engineering Education with focus on Innovation, Communication, Entrepreneurship and Involvement in Public Policy Issues

• Diversity: Accreditation Process of Engineering Programs; Role of Regulatory Bodies, Governments and other Central Agencies

CAETS International Conference on Engineering Education, March 1-2, 2007

• Highly Mobile• Academic Qualifications from different countries• Experience from Different Countries• Multilingual / Multicultural• Multi-faceted Engineer (with qualifications in

more than one field of engineering)• Related Factors with synergic effects:

– Economic (Personal, International)– Population migration(social, family, political)– Nature, Ecology and Environment

Engineer of the 21st Century

How can we attract the best engineering talents to Canada and retain them?

What can we do to develop Canadian engineers with unique skills in this era of

globalization?

Key Issues in Globalization

• Careful Review of Academic Qualifications with Emphasis on Core Courses– Varying Curricula, Quality and Standards, often for

universities within a country – Maintain a list of schools reputed for high quality

• Careful review of experience– Emphasis on Core Competency and Transferable

Skills– Less emphasis on Canadian content of experience

and supervision by a Professional Engineer

Licensure of International Engineers in Canada

• Recognition of Foreign Licence

– “Considered/Selective Reciprocity” with Foreign Licensing Bodies

– “Bridging Examinations and Experience” is an option

Licensure of International Engineers in Canada

• Soft Skills for Immigrant Engineers in Canada– Basic Need: Communication and Business

Etiquette– Diversity of Canadian Population and

Cultural Factors– Impact of Immigrant Labour– Knowledge of Appropriate Standards and

Labour Laws in Working Environment

Globalization and Soft Skills

• Soft Skills for Canadian Engineers in International Theatre– Cultural and Linguistic Aspects– Regional/Local Issues– Geo/Political/Historical Issues– Business Issues and Conflicts

Globalization and Soft Skills

How can the Engineering Curriculum include soft skills in the ever increasing

technical component?

Globalization and Soft Skills

• Communication Skills– Language Skills (Verbal)– Writing Skills (Project Reports/Theses)– Articulation Skills (Presentation)

• Design/Innovation Skills– Basic Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Math– Open-ended Problem Based Learning in every course

• Other Skills– Societal, Social, Ethical, Legal, and Interpersonal

Developing Engineers with Unique Skills

• Internships– National/International

• Innovation and Entrepreneurship– Business Ethics– Business Law– Competition and Strategic Positioning– Negotiating skills– Natural, Ecological, Environment issues with impact

on processes, products and services

• Public Policy Issues

Developing Engineers with Unique Skills

• Basic Sciences • Engineering Core Courses (Design/Innovation

component)• Engineering Related Courses: Selection Options

– Entrepreneurship– Engineering Economics– Engineering Ethics– Engineering Law– Energy, Ecology and Environment in a National and

Global Context– International Business– Engineering and Public Policy

Globalization of Engineering: A 5-Year Integrated Curriculum

Honours Degree?

• National/International Internship: Up to One Year

• Liberal Arts Courses: Selection Options– Communication, Society, Culture and History– International History, Culture, and Sensitivities

Globalization of Engineering: A 5-Year Integrated Curriculum

Honours Degree?

A strong foundation in Basic Sciences

(with good communication skills)

enables an engineer to be

innovative, entrepreneurial and global.

Globalization of Engineering

For Your Thought

“Engineering without science has no root.

Science without engineering has no fruit.

Nature is indeed a combination of the two.

Only by uniting these, we perceive the whole!”