continuouslyemerging beyond disciplines, knowledge practices and innovations are constantly transforming bytechnologies,studentsweeducatetodaywouldbenefitfromhavingacompetencetomakeconnectionsamongconceptsandexperiences,andremixknowledgeandmethodsfromdifferentdisciplinestoapplythem through real-world engagements. Therefore, students must play a key role to make integrativeleaninghappenwithin-depthcommitmentandengagement,theSFTcurriculumdevelopsanewkindofscaffolding that allows students going beyond a particular discipline and focusing on discovery andcreativitytowardsfuturetechnologieswiththeirmentorgroupstodistinctivelyconnecttheircurricularlearning,projectexperiences,andcampusandcommunitylife.5. ConclusionsThis paper provides a shortcut into the case of SFT
skills that are needed to make lasting connections after graduating college.The program cultivates a sense of belonging to international members who may not have theirfamilies close to home for support. The program has been deemed highly beneficial forinternational students due to the fact that it enhances the network for individuals to discover newemployment opportunities. After graduation, program graduates can potentially benefit fromthese relationships by obtaining a highly desired employment position or by receiving anoutstanding recommendation from various industry CEO’s who have a first-hand demonstrationof the student’s real-world experience and professional demeanor.Introduction Middle Tennessee State University’s Human Exploration
proposed tools for assessing globalengineering competencies, which highlights the recent interest in evaluating these skills in ourstudents [6].For students to have greater exposure to global engineering topics, we developed a weekendworkshop open to all undergraduates interested in improving their low-resource medical devicedesign skills. The program allows students to learn from international cultural mentors anddevelop solutions to real-life challenges. Students are presented with scenarios from currentchallenges in sub-Saharan African healthcare settings. The program is free for all participants,and under-represented students and those who have not traveled internationally were encouragedto apply.In November 2021, we held our first workshop to
application).The presence of both the mine and the digital tools allows for a reflectiveness within thestudent. In that they can reflect upon the teachings from a theoretical perspective and applythat to various instances and use cases within the Simulacrum. As the mine and its subsequentdigital interventions allow for an experience in which students can repeatedly come back to,as this enables active student participation and observation through experimentation. Thefollowing examples demonstrate the application of XR tools developed for education in themining industry: • ThoroughTec Simulation’s CYBERMINE: is designed to fully replicate a mining vehicle’s cabin which virtually simulates the operation of real-world, heavy-duty mining
-world contexts.According to this view, learning activities must be closely connected to real-life scenarios inorder for students to develop a deep understanding of core concepts and their underlyingvalue. Authentic learning typically features several structural characteristics, includingauthentic context, authentic tasks, authentic outcomes, authentic identity, and authentic value(Sasha A. et al., 2000; Strobel et al., 2013). These elements serve as a vital bridge betweenabstract engineering knowledge and its practical application in real-world professionalenvironments—a process often referred to as "Bridging Apprenticeships." This conceptemphasizes the organic interplay among learning activities, workplace practices, and broadersocial contexts
++ provides deeperinsight into memory management, object-oriented programming, and low-level systemoperations—skills crucial for engineering disciplines. Additionally, many industry-standard tools,such as finite element analysis (FEA) software and embedded systems, are built using C++,making it an essential language for engineering problem-solving in real-world applications. Thiscourse is designed to equip students with computational thinking skills that are directly applicableto practical engineering challenges.Enhancing Global Context in Engineering EducationTo showcase the adaptability of this C++ course across diverse educational settings, we examinedits implementation in various international contexts. In Germany, C++ is a core component
: Already developed Rapid commercialization 3DDA Adoption: Highly applicable Beginning stageGiven these settings, students start the workshops with minimal prior knowledge about eachother’s countries and cultures. The workshop theme focuses on learning digital preservationtechniques for historical structures and exploring challenges and solutions for technology transferto developing countries like Ethiopia. Students experience both roles - as hosts introducing theircountry’s culture and technology and as guests learning in a foreign environment.A challenge to engineering educators is to determine how to incorporate real-world experiencesinto the engineering curriculum(Shuman et al., 2005). This
(SDGs) [1]. Yet traditional engineering education often prioritizestechnical rigor over creative problem-solving, leaving graduates underprepared for open-ended,real-world challenges [2,3]. Studies reveal a troubling trend: senior engineering students generatefewer innovative solutions than first-year peers, signaling a decline in creative capacity as educationprogresses [4,5]. Industry leaders increasingly stress that engineers must complement technicalskills with creative agility to address unstructured problems [6].Creativity is particularly pertinent to engineering design and problem-solving as it enablesengineers to rethink problems, question assumptions, and explore unconventional solutions. Inengineering, creative thinking goes beyond
experience, highlighting its focus on real-world applications, intercultural collaboration,and technical writing—elements they felt were lacking in their previous coursework. Participantsnoted that collaborating with peers from diverse backgrounds allowed them to gain differentperspectives, problem-solving approaches, and insights into various cultural norms. Instructorsreinforced the importance of equipping students with practical skills and tools relevant toreal-world engineering contexts, promoting a pragmatic approach to problem-solving [F2, F3,F5].DiscussionThe interviews provide valuable insights into student experiences within the global engineeringcourse. The identified themes and suggested improvements can inform future iterations of
teammates from different backgrounds. While theseexperiences are valuable, in most cases they are not quantitatively measurable.Meanwhile, PBLs are highly suitable for achieving the 11 Graduate Attribute Profile (GAP) skills andawareness essential for global engineers defined by the Washington Accord (WA). They can be acquiredthrough real-world experiences, as “practice makes perfect.” However, these GAPs contain manyunmeasurable factors. Moreover, even in cases in which GAPs are acquired, it is difficult to clarify whereand how the acquisition happened.This article examines an experiment to identify the causality between the techno-socio PBL contents andlearning outcomes related to this Washington Accord 11 Graduate Attribute Profile (WA11GAP
Engineering Education, Cross-Cultural Collaboration, Engineering DesignThinking, Global Context, UAEAbstract:Engineers have the ability and responsibility to design and develop solutions that can improvepeople's lives, solve pressing problems, and make the world a better place. Real-world challengesare becoming increasingly complex and global, and engineering projects often requirecollaboration between people from different cultures.Global engineering is a general engineering course required by all engineering students. Thecourse focuses on designing and developing engineering solutions to real-world problems in aglobal context. In spring 2024, the course was offered in an innovative way, with a lecture-basedpart and a hands-on laboratory part. The
untappedsources of natural energy, including human energy. The project seeks to investigate methods forrecycling and leveraging this energy for practical applications, showcasing a hands-on andinnovative approach to sustainability in education.Proposed New Global Engineering CourseRecognizing the critical importance of engineering in shaping a sustainable future, especiallyconsidering the global production and utilization of various engineering practices, it is imperativefor future engineers to comprehend the intricacies of globalization. In light of this, we propose acourse designed to benefit engineering students across all majors, equipping them with theessential insights to navigate the real world from a global perspective [7]-[8].This course aims to
competitive, so theapplication process is typically long consisting of several stages. Decisions on applications aremade at several stages and it is important to note that even if one has passed the first stage, theapplication may not be selected at the second stage. It is important to state that Fulbright is a greatopportunity for professionals to share their expertise and learn from the faculty in a foreign countrywith a different culture. In 2015 the author was awarded Fulbright Scholar Award and was placedin the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to teach and conduct research in Computer Science at Umm AlQura University. The author spent 10 months in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers thisa most rewarding experience. This paper focuses on the
plants induced student-led discussions. These two courses perfectly aligned with our company visits. In Conservation Principles, themain bulk of the class was based on chemical mixing tanks and the diagrams associated with theseprocesses. At a biogas plant, the group visited, a 12-tank diagram with every intake and outtake waspresented. Every student could understand the layout and perform calculations relevant to the flowsthroughout the system. This illustrated the real-world application of the foundational course being taught.As for Energy Systems, the application was much more direct. The lecture the morning before a companyvisit would directly relate to the activity in the afternoon. For example, a lecture on fossil fuels would
10B. Survey DesignDeveloped by Elby et al., the Epistemological Beliefs Assessment for Physical Science(EBAPS) is a 30-item, forced-choice, Likert-type questionnaire designed to measure students’epistemic beliefs about the physical sciences. Each question is scored from 0 to 4, indicatingthe least to most sophisticated belief. The instrument is organized around five nonorthogonalaxes: (1) Structure of Scientific Knowledge, (2) Nature of Knowing and Learning, (3) Real-Life Applicability, (4) Evolving Knowledge, and (5) Source of Ability to Learn. A detailedexplanation of these axes is provided in Table 3. For more information on EBAPS, includingscoring rubrics and administration guidelines, please visit its official websites[6], [20].Table 3
overarching goal of the class is totrain and develop engineers that are capable of solving complex global problems that (generally)seek the lowest cost, the largest profit, the shortest distance, or the least amount of time. Thedevelopment of critical thinking skills such as identifying problems, gathering relevantinformation, analyzing and interpreting data, and drawing appropriate conclusions is necessary inorder to solve these problems. The development of intercultural competencies is also necessaryso that future engineers are able to apply their skills successfully to real-world problems that areencountered in a global economy. To this extent, students should be able to understand howgeographical location, available resources, and socio/cultural
changing job market [38]. 2. Integrating Practical Experience: Incorporating practical experience through internships, project-based learning, and industry collaborations enhances student employability and prepares them for real-world engineering challenges [39]. 3. Promoting Active Learning: Shifting from passive lecture-based teaching to active learning strategies that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills is essential for developing adaptable and innovative engineers [40]. 4. Recognizing and Rewarding Teaching Excellence: Creating a culture that values and rewards teaching excellence alongside research output is vital for attracting and retaining high-quality faculty and ensuring
civic responsibility and political voice.In their end-of-project reflections, students shared their feelings concerning the case study. Manyappreciated the real-world application of the project. For example, a student quoted “It wasreally cool to be able to research the different areas and not go out of a book.” Students alsodiscussed how surprised they were at the scale of practical applications of the course content: “Itwas eye-opening to be able to connect this project on a larger scale, and see just how much goesinto where [distribution centers], or other similar establishments are placed.” Some stateddesires to pursue global relief efforts: “I would love to get involved with programs like engineerswithout borders and other humanitarian aid
qualifications of engineering educators. The ENTER certification isimportant for professionals who wish to demonstrate their qualifications in the field ofengineering education. The paper presents a simulation tool that allows potential candidatesto evaluate their qualifications and experience to determine if they are eligible to become aregistered professional engineering professor in ENTER. The simulation tool uses a set ofrubrics and an online questionnaire of 33 questions grouped under five different aspects toestimate the applicant's credentials. If the simulation shows that the user qualifies to beregistered, they can then complete the application process and submit a fully documentedportfolio for review by three registered experts from the
betweenthe preparation course content and professional application. This paper is a discussion of theimpact of a pre-departure preparation course for study abroad experiences for engineeringstudents.Although not a degree requirement at the institution, high-impact experiences, like study abroad,provide a real-world application of learned communicative strategies, reinforcing the skillsneeded to participate meaningfully in a professional community. Study abroad opportunitiesallow students to enhance their learning and problem-solving skills while partnering withscholars, students, and engineers conducting work and studies related to the institution’scurricula. The goal of the course is to enhance students’ confidence in their ability tosuccessfully
through the AICP. This initiative fosters the exchange of good practices, capacity building, and the development of innovative projects and internships.6. Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship: The project strengthens the link between academia and the private sector, thereby promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. This is achieved through the practical training and real-world experience provided by the AICP and VSEA.7. Aligning Academic Programs with Labor Market Needs: EduFusion NSG focuses on training graduates with qualifications that match industry and business demands, ensuring their employability and addressing the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.8. Fostering
course viaZoom, called “ACTIVA tu Speaking (AtuS).” The USGA students spoke Spanish whileMexicanUG students spoke English. The students jointly chose two projects, performednecessary research, and designed prototypes to meet the design needs of their respectivecommunities. This course was not originally conducted as an engineering educationresearch project; thus, this is a retrospective summary. Using a promotional video thatthe USGA students produced about the course and the course reflection paragraph thateach USGA student wrote, we performed a word frequency analysis. Based on the wordfrequency analysis, we conclude that the students’ identification as engineers increased,students connected their academic engineering to real-world problems
about their field of studyand its application in the real world, their preferences for the type of work environment and typeof skills or industry. All four participants mentioned that the internship gave them motivation toexplore their future career through further studies and talking to professionals in the field. Beforethe internship, participant S2 “wanted to go straight into the workforce as a water resourcesengineer”, but the internship experience at a consulting firm specializing in civil and structuralprojects made them realize that they would instead “want to get a Master’s in StructuralEngineering” upon graduation. Their shift in career plans “led me to find new topics that I wantto learn more about. Primarily, I want to learn about
us how he was able to prepare for and navigate the cultural/societal differences, as wellas being able to adapt to the different customs overseas.” They noted that his ability to workcollaboratively with Afghan individuals to achieve common goals offered practical lessons inleadership and cross-cultural engagement.Students also appreciated Speaker 1’s engaging storytelling, which helped connect abstractleadership principles to real-world applications. They mentioned that his talk demonstrated howglobal engineers can contribute beyond technical expertise, emphasizing adaptability and culturalawareness. As one student remarked, “It gave us firsthand insight into what it is like to literallybe a global engineer.” Overall, the lecture aligned
) Annual Conference [5], Frontiers in Education Conference [6],International Conference on Engineering Pedagogy (IGIP) Annual conference [7], and theAmerican Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Annual Conference [8]. Theseconferences provide a platform for engineering educators to present their work and receiverecognition for their contributions to the field. Moreover, attending these conferences can alsoprovide opportunities for networking and exchanging ideas with other engineering educatorsfrom around the world.1.3 PublicationsIn addition to awards and conferences, engineering educators can also receive recognitionthrough publications. Publishing in high-quality engineering education journals, such as theJournal of Engineering Education [9
for asustainable mindset, especially for those who would like a career in engineering. Topics such aslimits to growth, environmental ethics, climate change, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),and the circular economy, will form the foundational knowledge for more advanced topics insustainability and the built environment in subsequent modules. This course also introduces theprinciples and techniques for the synergistic design, integration, and management of complexsystems over their entire life cycle.Module 1: Case StudiesIn real-world projects, it is not always possible to isolate different actions as neatly as in ateaching environment. In reality, there are always interactions between stakeholders and actors,and there are different
needed to take a back-seat, until she attained herpermanent residency, since most positions in the domain required at the very minimum, thisextremely competitive bar for entry, which very few faculty had brought up during her classes.This reflection affords an opportunity for academia to bring up real-world examples of diversityand inclusion often sought by students (e.g.,[22, 23]), highlighting challenges faced by non-UScitizens, in discussions in the engineering classrooms. “I always wanted to work in the space industry however that wasn’t a possibility for me straight out of graduate school. Something I found out the hard way and not in my engineering classrooms. For graduating international students, we need sponsorship for
inuniversities.ProgramThe program was organized into various phases, and the phases inherent to the trainingprogram are described here. In this phase, five modules related to various aspects ofteaching were planned with a focus on university pedagogical practices. This training planis based on an eclectic approach drawn from various currents. Situated learning is apedagogical approach that focuses on the practical and contextualized application ofknowledge in real-world situations. It is based on the premise that learning is most effectivewhen embedded in relevant and authentic contexts, allowing students to developtransferable skills and to understand the practical utility of what they are learning. Thisapproach involves solving concrete problems, collaboration
include: 1. Teaching through classes focused on solving real problems optimally using technological tools. 2. Various teachers describe classes differently to accommodate different learning styles. 3. Use of interactive equipment and devices according to the subject matter. 4. Incorporation of the mechanical part in the classroom, especially in the case of robotics or technology courses. 5. Application of a case study that applies what has been learned. 6. Training people, interests, didactic material, and varied examples.These strategies can help create an inclusive environment promoting STEM learning.C. Active learningParticipants discussed active learning methodologies such as Project-Based Learning (PBL),Problem
sustainabilityin education.The concept of sustainability is related to the concept of sustainable development [11]. The mostcited definition of sustainable development has been provided by Brundtland CommissionReport or the “Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development: OurCommon Future” published by the United Nations in 1987. According to the BrundtlandCommission Report, SD is defined as “development that meets the needs of the currentgeneration without compromising the ability of future generations to meets their own needs”[12].Education stands as a fundamental cornerstone in achieving Sustainable Development [13].Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) has garnered growing recognition since the1990s, following the United Nations