1. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 1 Quality Assurance in Engineering Education RAEE Accreditation Centre Tomsk, April 01-02 2005 European Dimension of Higher Education in Engineering Prof. Claudio Borri, Vice Dean for International Relations President of TN E4/TREE School of Engineering Università di Firenze, Italy

2. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 2 Presentation Outline Professional background in EE Present trends in EE and its developments Globalisation and its impact on EE European traditions, specificities and values Towards a true European innovative EE approach EEE - European Engineering Education Société Européenne pour la Formation des Ingénieurs (SEFI) recent developments in EE (TREE)

3. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 3 Professional Background in EE (Prof. C. Borri) European Post-graduate Studies (A. von Humboldt Fellowship); Teaching and Research in Civil/Structural Engineering; Vice-Dean for International Relations, School of Engineering; Co-ordination of International Ph. D. Courses; Deputy Rector for EU Mobility Programmes; Chair of EU SOCRATES TN in EE; SEFI Vice-President and President elect (2005/07).

4. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 4 Present Trends in EE and Future Developments EE is facing some general but real problems finances reductions or limitations decreasing attractiveness length of the studies incompatible with industry needs not enough staff evolution or renewal lack of recognition by political and leading bodies with, also… - the impact of globalisation - enlarged competition - the generalization of the use of ICTs - the development of the “competencies” evaluation - the role of life long learning

5. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 5 Present Trends in EE and Future Developments EE in the heart of some specific European debates the Bologna process; the two-tier system of EE and the discussions around; accreditation and assessment methods harmonization; the intra-European mobility: not satisfactory; the new enlarged Europe: unity and diversification. Without forgetting in the background - the low competitiveness of European Universities; - the high level of European costs - salaries, services; - the new global market of Higher Education; - the development of new worldwide standards; - the brain drain of brilliant European graduates.

6. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 6 Present Trends in EE and Future Developments Recent general developments in EE pedagogical, teaching and learning strategies active learning methods, empirical approaches; project based learning, team and interdisciplinary work; problem based learning - the disciplines after the needs; … Recent general developments in EE curriculum, courses and programmes creativity, innovation, quality, safety methodologies; ethics, cultural, human and social values; sustainability at various levels; …

7. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 7 Globalisation and Its Impact on EE Globalisation as a determining factor of evolution industry is rapidly moving towards a worldwide market; employment is becoming fragile also for engineers; WTO and the development of services at world wide level; the new information society accelerating the globalisation; education, no more a protected economical sector.

8. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 8 Globalisation and Its Impact on EE Globalisation and its traces on Engineering and EE the Bologna process; FEANI and the Eur-Ing title; ABET, Criteria 2000; the Washington Accord; the ESOEPE harmonization EUR-ACE: towards a European Accreditation Model …

9. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 9 Globalisation and Its Impact on EE Globalisation: positive and negative consequences for EE better visibility and comparability of educational programmes; forcing the Universities to innovate; introducing more flexibility in the educational systems. But also… increasing the pressure on costs reduction; putting emphasis on short terms industrial goals; loss of identity, tradition and specific values; “industrialization” of educational programmes; education like a wine or cheese product.

10. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 10 European Traditions, Specificities and Values EE in Europe, a long, solid and diverse tradition Three main pillars… the French “Grandes Ecoles” : ENPC … 1747 (society needs, republican elitism, theory) the German scientific education: Humboldt (autonomy of science, engineers as scientists) the British pragmatism: the Engineering Societies (technology, problem solving spirit) and any kind of systems combinations Latin world Nordic countries Central and East Europe

11. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 11 European Traditions, Specificities and Values EE in Europe, an adaptation to National cultures and needs a diversity of educational systems, aims and methods multiple, diverse systems with few interfaces strong linguistic and cultural differences Beyond the differences, some common values EE is based on professional traditions and cultures … not a whatever higher education programme EE refers to strong scientific bases … meaning autonomous and rigorous thinking EE is focusing on trying to solve society needs … leading to integrate engineering and societal values at last EE is an humanist development of the engineer as a person and a society citizen

12. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 12 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Facing the new global context … how to define and set up a true European EE approach for the next two or three decades? How can EE in Europe be attractive again ? How can EE in Europe be able to face the global competition? How can EE in Europe become a model, a reference? Would it be possible to really invent new EE concepts based on the European cultural traditions and making clear the difference with other EE approaches?

13. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 13 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Of course, one does not innovate just for innovating If one has to invent a new European way for EE it must be done taking into account the real needs, those of - the European industry and service sector - the European nations and communities - the European citizen as well as future engineers - the European S &T developments and also those of - the less developed populations and countries - a global but sustainable society at worldwide level

14. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 14 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 1 Solid scientific and multidimensional foundations One has to maintain for EE a very strong scientific background based on a high-level secondary education as well as a broad multidimensional general education -Engineers are not pure “engine drivers” - This scientific education should not be limited to the classical theoretical maths, physics and chemistry but must integrate life sciences as well as the non-technical scientific disciplines.

15. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 15 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 2 Diversity of recruitments, variety of routes One has to attract top-level students from other continents and / or with other backgrounds (even “non-scientific”) by defining adapted programmes and diverse curricula -EE should not be driven by uniform standards – Necessity also to re-inforce the intra-European mobility especially by facilitating the global integration of students from Central-East European countries taking into account their real European motivation.

16. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 16 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 3 European specificities in EE programmes One has to define and set-up curricula that integrate the European concept of diversity even in the S&T fields Synergy, combination of modules and programmes should allow to focus on this concept of differentiation. Necessity also to reinforce the staff intra-European mobility, Courses in foreign languages and on the European cultures European students teams working on European projects and why not a true and specific “European“ EE Diploma.

17. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 17 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 4 Sustainability and systemic approaches One has to strengthen the research dimension of EE considered as a fundamental part of the curriculum. 30 to 50% of engineering graduates should be invited to continue doctoral studies in co-operation with industry.

18. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 18 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 5 Sustainability and systemic approaches One has to re-think the curriculum, not in terms of disciplines, but more in terms of needs to satisfy (competences), of aims to achieve … Problem-solving method, systemic approach and sustainability goals should become the heart of a new EE policy.

19. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 19 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 6 Flexible educational methods and environments One has to consider education as an incremental step based on active and autonomous learning methods and on a strong and efficient use of ICTs. That concept should lead to better integrate initial education and life long learning. European EE should become a domain of excellence for pedagogical expertise, learning and assessment methods European investments should be developed for that purpose.

20. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 20 Towards a True European Innovative EE Approach Principle 7 Ethical, cultural and humanist European values The European engineer has to be a real “honnête homme” of the 21st century society. That means integrating the various ethical, cultural, human and social dimensions in the curriculum. Young engineers should be invited to co-operate with other experts (Medicine, Law, Art,…) as well as to work with social and political partners. … Reaffirming the Renaissance Engineer in the society of tomorrow …

21. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 21 EEE - European Engineering Education … a “trademark”, the seal of a new excellence for attracting the best students, staff and professionals with the aim to demonstrate the capability of Europe to solve problems in a new global and worldwide society.

22. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 22 SEFI ( Société Européenne pour la Formation des Ingénieurs, Brussels) The largest Network in EE in Europe, grouping more than 400 members (HE Institutions, Individual Educators, Industries, Students and Teachers Associations). http://www.sefi.be Headquarters: 119, Rue de Stassart B-1140 Brussels BELGIUM

23. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 23 SEFI Goals established in 1973 as a non-profit organisation under Belgian law; mission statements: - promotion of information on EE; - improvement of communications and mobility among teachers and students in Europe; - development of the cooperation between engineering institutions; - promotion of cooperation between industry and educational institutions and development of the European dimension in EE; - curriculum development; - LDL and Continuing Education; - Quality Assurance and Accreditation; - Ethical Issues; … among others

24. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 24 SEFI Structure The Society serves as a European forum and should be considered as a service to European institutions, academic staff, students and industry. The Society works through: - Working Groups on different issues; - Administrative Council + Bureau + General Assembly; - President and two Vice-Presidents; - Annual Conference; - involvement in international projects (LEONARDO, TEMPUS and SOCRATES programmes).

25. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 25 Recent Developments in EE After the Thematic Networks H3E (1996-99) and E4 (2000-04) TREE (2004-07): a New Transversal TNP in EE.

26. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 26 Role of Thematic Networks Projects “aim to define and develop a European dimension within a given academic discipline or other issues of common interest … through cooperation between university faculties or departments, academic or professional associations, and other partners. … Furthermore …TNP should: work towards assessing the quality of cooperation and curriculum innovation; promote, within an active forum, discussions on improvements in teaching methods …; foster the development of joint European programmes …and improve the dialogue between academic and socio-economic partners.”

27. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 27 Some Keys to Success for TNPs Networking; enhancing the European dimension in the field concerned; visibility of the EE community; accredited interlocutor of the EC; creation of aggregates of TNPs.

28. University of Florence – School of Engineering International Relations Office 28 Большое спосибо за внимание!