Paper Authors

Abstract

NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract

Development of Global Engineering Education in China for Western Michigan University Engineering Students

Abstract

In collaboration with Sichuan University in China, Western Michigan University had established and developed the China Summer Engineering Tour for the first time in 2006 and is in the process of launching a second tour in 2007. The program is designed to provide a unique opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students to obtain global engineering experience in contemporary China. Participants study at the prestigious Sichuan University for three weeks including visiting Beijing, Xian, Chengdu and its surrounding areas. The program includes lectures, engineering field trips and engineering demonstrations. Experienced engineers and faculty members in China are invited to lecture on special topics and advanced engineering experience. The topics may cover chemical, mechanical, electrical, manufacturing and computer engineering. Four engineering field trips are arranged through Sichuan University. The field trips include visiting chemical, pharmaceutical and information technology companies in the Chengdu area as well as 2600-year-old Dujiangyan Irrigation System. Lectures and seminars on local Chinese culture including painting, music and medicine are also included. This three- week program allows students to explore global engineering opportunities and strengthen working skills with global engineering disciplines. Students are directly interacting with Chinese faculty, engineers and students at the university and at engineering facilities. All instruction is in English. The program is open to all engineering students.

Introduction

China is one of the most economically dynamic countries in the world with a population of about 1.3 billion people. China attracted more than $60 billion of foreign investment last year. It is our third largest trading nation with about $1.2 trillion in foreign trade with gross domestic product of about $2 trillion in 2004.

Statistics show that China is now the world‘s 6th-largest economy, trailing Britain and France. With rapid economical development in China, many multinational companies and financial institutions have established their Far Eastern headquarters in China. American and Western manufacturing companies have moved many of their production lines to China. For example, the largest paper machines in the world were recently installed in China. The Microsoft Research Institute established its new operation in Beijing. Consequently, higher education markets in China are rapidly expanding. In 2005, Mainland China had more than 3000 higher education institutes, with a total student enrollment of about 22 million--the largest student body in the world.

In response to the development of its global economy, more students are trained in the areas of electrical, computer and information technologies, and biological, chemical, mechanical and manufacturing engineering. It is obvious that American companies in China could provide job opportunities for US engineering graduates and could also be a potential market for American universities.

• Citation

• Format
  • APA
  • APA - LaTeX bibitem
  • MLA
  • MLA - LaTeX bibitem
  • Bibtex
  • EndNote - RIS

Abubakr, S., & Qi, D. (2007, June), Development Of Global Engineering Education In China For Western Michigan University Engineering Students Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1559