RE-ENGINEERING ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN EUROPE

B y C . B o r r i , E . G u b e r t i a n d R . A . H a g a s e t hS c h o o l o f E n g i n e e r i n g , U n i v e r s i t à d i F i r e n z e , I t a l y

The European Modernisation Agenda and the EU2020 Agenda

Promotion of a creative and competitive engineering education and the employability of future engineers with the necessary competences that can match the constantly evolving needs of the labour market

Engineering Education under Continuous Evolution

It is essential that individuals maintain interest in the lifelong learning process and

understand the importance of further developing and adapting their skills

Engineering Education Under Threats

The rapidly changing scenario in Europe, with ever larger migration flows, in particular from the Northern Africa countries, imposes attention to the burning issue of the Mediterranean HE area and its integration with continental Europe.The modernisation agenda of European universities has to speed-up! Source: the BBC

The Key Role of Universities

Universities already play a key role in the effort to

ensure a growth that is both intelligent and sustainable.

They should nonetheless receive a higher

recognition of their key function and be given more possibilities of contributing to the modernisation agenda by influencing the decision making process at policy level and share their best practices.

Attractiveness of (European) EE

Overcome the often bad image of technology offered by the media;

Diffuse awareness of the importance of technology in today’s advanced societies beginning from scholastic formation at an early age;

Enhance attractiveness of female students (a potential still underexploited);

Improve the status of engineering profession in society

(non) Attractivenes of (European) Phd Studies in Engineering

Recent studies show very clearly that the balance of incoming/outgoing students to/from EU countries is evidently negative for Europe. Despite the strong qualification and well known reputation of many European schools at PhD level, some invisible barriers due to:

a) different languages & cultures (otherwise an incomparable richness of our continent);

b) access and participation conditions, which are often non-transparent;

c) lack of visibility to a wide community of potential candidates from all over the world

still create unavoidable problems which reduce the overall attractiveness of PhD students from third countries towards Europe.

Industry University Collaboration

A key role in

proposing, evaluating, and finalising these initiatives can be played by the strict collaboration of industries and universities. Such collaboration can assume various forms.

1. Promote

European education system must become much more known and open in all areas and regions of the world.

International networks of EE stake-holders can offer this opportunity that lead to a significant change of the situation, by drastically improving and enhancing career prospects and promoting intercultural understanding.

The first issue would be to provide clear and coherent information about the quality and excellence of European HE and what it actually offers, thereby promoting the opportunities available for students.

2. Diversity = Richness

Diversity is a plus and an added value and gives students the opportunity to obtain additional experiences. The fact that each country is different and is identified not only by a different language but also a different culture is an incomparable richness of our continent.

3. Cooperate

Promotion of international cooperation between the European Union and third-country higher education institutions and in particular the facilitation of institution-based mobility is a win-win situation.

4. Move!

Institution-based mobility has the capacity not only to improve the results of education, but also to create long lasting links and generate mutual enrichment and understanding between the peoples.

EUGENE Contribution 1/2

Line A - European common set of excellence standards and principles to make the PhD in Engineering and Technology in Europe more effective, competitive and innovative

Line B - Promotion of EE in Europe as a research field and in comparison of worldwide developments (through a series of summits, reports available)

Line C - improved trans-national mobility of engineering students, graduates and professionals (accreditation issues)

Line D - LLL & continuing education as a tool to improve competitiveness and innovation of European engineers (Concepts and tools for improving university’s productivity, innovativeness

and societal impact)

Line E – Tools to increase attractiveness of EHEA (reports available)

EUGENE Contribution 2/2

TA1 - A comprehensive report on instruments to enhance the direct involvement of industrial stakeholders (European corporate with global dimensions) 

TA2 - The creation of the EEDC, the European Engineering Deans Council

TA3 - A number of actions targeted to the sustainability of the network, including found raising and management of the contents on the web site which will remain also after the end of the project

www.eugene.unifi.it

Conclusion

- importance of trans-national cooperation and its promotion in the future - creating and promoting creative and competitive engineering education, while making it attractive in Europe - identifying future engineer’s skill requirements to improve employability. - welcoming contributions and inputs from all actors in engineering education since the

basis of collaboration is to include and not to exclude.

Thank you!

Florence: The Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore from Giotto’s belltower

Elisa GubertiHead of the International Relations OfficeSchool of EngineeringUniversità di Firenzeintreling@unifi.it