Chicago, Illinois
June 18, 2006
June 18, 2006
June 21, 2006
2153-5965
International
9
11.1326.1 - 11.1326.9
10.18260/1-2--950
https://peer.asee.org/950
425
Rosalyn S. Hobson is an Associate Professor at Virginia Commonwealth University. She received her B.S. ('91), M.S. ('95), and Ph.D. ('98) degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Virginia. Her research includes the use artificial neural networks for signal processing and controls problems, science and technology in international development and engineering education. She joined VCU in the fall semester of 1996.
THE ROLE OF ENGINEERING EDUCATION IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Abstract
The role of science, technology, and innovation in international development has been the focus of several recent studies, including ones produced by the National Academy of Science, the World Bank, The RAND Corporation, the Interacademy Panel and the United Nations Millennium Project. These studies all cite the importance of science and technology in addressing development challenges. A number of the issues are engineering related and thus require engineering solutions.
This is especially relevant to engineering education in the U.S. As our students in the U.S. will now be faced with finding viable relevant solutions to problems faced not just by the approximately 300 million people in the U.S., nor by the 1.2 billion people living in developed countries, but by the majority of the world’s population living in developing countries which is projected to outnumber the population in developed countries by six to one by 2050.
This paper presents some of the challenges faced by developing countries and how engineering and engineering educators around the world are finding ways to address these issues. This is not a comprehensive list, however presented are a cross section issues that the U.S. Agency for International Development and a host of other organization are facing. Also presented are ways these organizations are coping with these issues and ways in which engineering education in the U.S. is answering and can answer the call for help to find solutions.
Hobson, R. (2006, June), The Role Of Engineering Education In International Development Paper presented at 2006 Annual Conference & Exposition, Chicago, Illinois. 10.18260/1-2--950
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