A Perspective on Globalization of Engineering
C. (Ravi) Ravindran, FCAE, P.EngPresident
Canadian Academy of Engineering
Future of Engineering Education and Licensure
June 21, 2007Professional Engineers Ontario
Globalization of Engineering
• Migration of Engineers• Natural effect of New World Order• Multinational Corporations• National Corporations with Manufacturing,
Design, Research, Development Facilities in Foreign Countries
• Reduced Costs• Rapid E-based communications resulting in
economy and increased profit
• Delegates presented: Achievements and Concerns unique to their countries
• Commonality: Need for Engineering Education with focus on Innovation, Communication, Entrepreneurship and Involvement in Public Policy Issues
• Diversity: Accreditation Process of Engineering Programs; Role of Regulatory Bodies, Governments and other Central Agencies
CAETS International Conference on Engineering Education, March 1-2, 2007
• Highly Mobile• Academic Qualifications from different countries• Experience from Different Countries• Multilingual / Multicultural• Multi-faceted Engineer (with qualifications in
more than one field of engineering)• Related Factors with synergic effects:
– Economic (Personal, International)– Population migration(social, family, political)– Nature, Ecology and Environment
Engineer of the 21st Century
How can we attract the best engineering talents to Canada and retain them?
What can we do to develop Canadian engineers with unique skills in this era of
globalization?
Key Issues in Globalization
• Careful Review of Academic Qualifications with Emphasis on Core Courses– Varying Curricula, Quality and Standards, often for
universities within a country – Maintain a list of schools reputed for high quality
• Careful review of experience– Emphasis on Core Competency and Transferable
Skills– Less emphasis on Canadian content of experience
and supervision by a Professional Engineer
Licensure of International Engineers in Canada
• Recognition of Foreign Licence
– “Considered/Selective Reciprocity” with Foreign Licensing Bodies
– “Bridging Examinations and Experience” is an option
Licensure of International Engineers in Canada
• Soft Skills for Immigrant Engineers in Canada– Basic Need: Communication and Business
Etiquette– Diversity of Canadian Population and
Cultural Factors– Impact of Immigrant Labour– Knowledge of Appropriate Standards and
Labour Laws in Working Environment
Globalization and Soft Skills
• Soft Skills for Canadian Engineers in International Theatre– Cultural and Linguistic Aspects– Regional/Local Issues– Geo/Political/Historical Issues– Business Issues and Conflicts
Globalization and Soft Skills
How can the Engineering Curriculum include soft skills in the ever increasing
technical component?
Globalization and Soft Skills
• Communication Skills– Language Skills (Verbal)– Writing Skills (Project Reports/Theses)– Articulation Skills (Presentation)
• Design/Innovation Skills– Basic Sciences: Physics, Chemistry, Math– Open-ended Problem Based Learning in every course
• Other Skills– Societal, Social, Ethical, Legal, and Interpersonal
Developing Engineers with Unique Skills
• Internships– National/International
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship– Business Ethics– Business Law– Competition and Strategic Positioning– Negotiating skills– Natural, Ecological, Environment issues with impact
on processes, products and services
• Public Policy Issues
Developing Engineers with Unique Skills
• Basic Sciences • Engineering Core Courses (Design/Innovation
component)• Engineering Related Courses: Selection Options
– Entrepreneurship– Engineering Economics– Engineering Ethics– Engineering Law– Energy, Ecology and Environment in a National and
Global Context– International Business– Engineering and Public Policy
Globalization of Engineering: A 5-Year Integrated Curriculum
Honours Degree?
• National/International Internship: Up to One Year
• Liberal Arts Courses: Selection Options– Communication, Society, Culture and History– International History, Culture, and Sensitivities
Globalization of Engineering: A 5-Year Integrated Curriculum
Honours Degree?
A strong foundation in Basic Sciences
(with good communication skills)
enables an engineer to be
innovative, entrepreneurial and global.
Globalization of Engineering
For Your Thought
“Engineering without science has no root.
Science without engineering has no fruit.
Nature is indeed a combination of the two.
Only by uniting these, we perceive the whole!”
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