A Mechatronics Program As An Alternative To Separate Programs In Electrical And Mechanical In Developing Countries
- Conference
- Location
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Austin, Texas
- Publication Date
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June 14, 2009
- Start Date
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June 14, 2009
- End Date
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June 17, 2009
- ISSN
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2153-5965
- Conference Session
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Technical-Capacity Building & Exporting of Higher Education to Developing Countries
- Tagged Division
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International
- Page Count
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11
- Page Numbers
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14.50.1 - 14.50.11
- DOI
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10.18260/1-2--5434
- Permanent URL
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https://peer.asee.org/5434
- Download Count
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402
Paper Authors
Hisham Alnajjar University of Hartford
Dr. Hisham Alnajjar is an Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Hartford, where he is also the Associate Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture. Before that, he served for nine years as the Chair of the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department at the University of Hartford. Dr. Alnajjar has a doctorate from Vanderbilt University and a Master of Science degree from Ohio Uni-versity. Dr. Alnajjar may be contacted at alnajjar@hartford.edu.
Mohammad Saleh Keshawarz
Dr. M. Saleh Keshawarz is Associate Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the
University of Hartford in Connecticut, USA. He has been involved in engineering curriculum
issues both in the US and Afghanistan for many years. He has assisted Kabul and Herat
universities in Afghanistan in revising their engineeing curricula. Dr. Keshawarz mat be contacted at keshawarz@hartford.edu
Akram abu-aisheh University of Hartford
Dr. Akram Abu-aisheh is an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Hartford. He is currently the assistant chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and director of the electronic and computer engineering technology program. Dr. Abu-aisheh has a doctorate in Optical Communications from the Florida Institute of Technology and Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida. Dr. Abu-aisheh may be contacted at abuaisheh@hartford.edu.
Saeid Moslehpour University of Hartford
Dr. Saeid Moslehpour is an Assistant Professor in the Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department in the College of Engineering, Technology, and Architecture at the University of
Hartford. He holds PhD from Iowa State University and BS MS and EdSp degrees from Central
Missouri State University. His areas of interest are logic design, CPLDs, FPGAs and distance
learning. Dr. Moslehpour may be contacted at moslehpou@hartford.edu
Nasir Ali Ahmady Herat University, Afghanistan
Mr. Nasir Ali Ahmady, Dean, Faculty of Engineering at Herat University, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Devdas Shetty Lawrence Technological University
Dr. Devdas Shetty is the Dean of the College of Engineering at Lawrence Technological
University, Southfield, Michigan.
Abstract
NOTE: The first page of text has been automatically extracted and included below in lieu of an abstract
A Mechatronics Program as an Alternative to Separate Programs in Electrical and Mechanical in Developing Countries
Abstract
Education is one of the key infrastructure components needed to sustain peaceful development and maintain security, so that the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (Afghanistan) can meet the critical needs of its people as well as participate fully in the international community. Higher education, in particular engineering education, is at a crucial crossroads. A comprehensive and functional higher education system for engineering students will provide Afghanistan with the capacity to develop its infrastructure as well as expanding its role in the international community.
The partnership between University of Hartford, USA and Herat University in Afghanistan began in August 2007. This partnership strives to develop and implement a program to strengthen and modernize engineering education at Herat University. Phase I of the program includes a number of activities such as curriculum review and revision, faculty development, and laboratory upgrading. Currently we are midway in Phase I. Phase II focuses on expanding the current undergraduate engineering program to areas beyond civil engineering that are critical for the continued development of infrastructure and capabilities in Afghanistan.
While reviewing and planning to expand the current engineering program to areas beyond civil engineering, the focus evolved to adding two new undergraduate engineering programs, one in electrical and one in mechanical. However, after further evaluation of the needs, priorities, financial constraints and infrastructure support, it was obvious that two programs would create a burden that would not be feasible at this time. A program in Mechatronics emerged as the best fit to meet the current and near future needs and augments the current offerings in civil engineering. Approval has been received for a Mechatronics Engineering program from the Ministry of Higher Education in Afghanistan and the financial support from the World Bank.
This paper will focus on the needs, resources and plan to develop a program in Mechatronics at HERAT University. The paper will focus on the preparation for laboratories, equipment, curriculum, faculty, etc. including the difficulties in helping to start a new program in another country.
Introduction
The College of Engineering, Technology and Architecture at University of Hartford offers several ABET accredited programs in engineering, technology and architecture. The University of Hartford is a small private institution located in West Hartford, CT. The relationship between University of Hartford, USA and Herat University in Afghanistan began in the summer of 2006 under the framework of the Strengthening Higher Education Program (SHEP). The program is supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, and is funded through a grant from the World Bank. The steering committee for SHEP selected University of Hartford to assess the current situation at Herat University and propose ways to improve
Alnajjar, H., & Keshawarz, M. S., & abu-aisheh, A., & Moslehpour, S., & Ahmady, N. A., & Shetty, D. (2009, June), A Mechatronics Program As An Alternative To Separate Programs In Electrical And Mechanical In Developing Countries Paper presented at 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition, Austin, Texas. 10.18260/1-2--5434
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