A Perspective on Globalization of Engineering C. (Ravi) Ravindran, FCAE, P.Eng President Canadian Academy of Engineering Future of Engineering Education and Licensure June 21, 2007 Professional 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 21 st 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!”