Engineering Education: Engineering Education: Challenges, Opportunities, and Potential Challenges, Opportunities, and Potential

Areas for GCC CooperationAreas for GCC Cooperation

Dr. Khaled S. Al-SultanDr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan

Rector, Rector, King Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsKing Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals

Dhahran, Saudi ArabiaDhahran, Saudi Arabiarector@kfupm.edu.sarector@kfupm.edu.sa

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OutlineOutline

Historical Overview of Engineering EducationHistorical Overview of Engineering Education

The Future of Engineering Education: The Future of Engineering Education: Challenges and Opportunities Challenges and Opportunities

Engineering Education in KSAEngineering Education in KSA

KFUPM and Current Trends in Engineering KFUPM and Current Trends in Engineering EducationEducation

Opportunities for cooperation within GCCOpportunities for cooperation within GCC

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks

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History of Engineering EducationHistory of Engineering Education

From prehistoric times, engineers have always led From prehistoric times, engineers have always led

humanity for a better life.humanity for a better life.

Till 1800s, engineering education was learned by Till 1800s, engineering education was learned by

apprenticeship (emphasis on hands-on experience).apprenticeship (emphasis on hands-on experience).

After 1800s, universities and colleges in Europe and After 1800s, universities and colleges in Europe and

US, started granting formal engineering degrees.US, started granting formal engineering degrees.

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History of Engineering Education History of Engineering Education (cont…)(cont…)

In 1870, there were 17 universities teaching In 1870, there were 17 universities teaching engineering in the US, growing to 110 engineering in the US, growing to 110 schools in 1890.schools in 1890.

During same period, only 10% of practicing During same period, only 10% of practicing engineers were college graduates.engineers were college graduates.

End of 1800s, professional engineering End of 1800s, professional engineering societies started to flourishsocieties started to flourish

Early 1900s, laws governing licensing & Early 1900s, laws governing licensing & certifications are introducedcertifications are introduced

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History of Engineering Education History of Engineering Education (cont…)(cont…)

In 1932, ABET established: The beginning In 1932, ABET established: The beginning of an era of accreditation.of an era of accreditation.

1950-1990, focus on engineering sciences, 1950-1990, focus on engineering sciences, analysis, faculty expected to carry analysis, faculty expected to carry researchresearch

After 1990 - now, focus on teamwork, After 1990 - now, focus on teamwork, communications, integration, design, communications, integration, design, continuous improvement, while continuous improvement, while maintaining analytical skills.maintaining analytical skills.

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Features of Traditional Features of Traditional Engineering EducationEngineering Education

More focused on abstract themesMore focused on abstract themes

Instructor centered learning Instructor centered learning

Depth in specialized fieldsDepth in specialized fields

Very little use of computers, Multimedia, Very little use of computers, Multimedia, InternetInternet

More focused on individual effortsMore focused on individual efforts

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The Reality!The Reality!Current Weaknesses in Current Weaknesses in Today’s Eng. GraduatesToday’s Eng. Graduates

Weakness in understanding manufacturing Weakness in understanding manufacturing processesprocesses

Mostly analysts in specific areasMostly analysts in specific areas Narrow view of engineeringNarrow view of engineering No understanding of quality processNo understanding of quality process Weak communication skillsWeak communication skills Lack of design capabilitiesLack of design capabilities Weak teamwork & project management skillsWeak teamwork & project management skills

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Forces Pushing for ChangeForces Pushing for Change

Companies employing engineering graduatesCompanies employing engineering graduates

Accreditation boards (such as ABET)Accreditation boards (such as ABET)

Globalization of economyGlobalization of economy

Engineering professional societiesEngineering professional societies

Advisory boardsAdvisory boards

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Future Technological Challenges Future Technological Challenges of the 21st Centuryof the 21st Century

Information: ProliferationInformation: Proliferation Tech. development: MultidisciplinaryTech. development: Multidisciplinary Markets: GlobalizedMarkets: Globalized Environment: EndangeredEnvironment: Endangered Social responsibility: EngineeringSocial responsibility: Engineering Corporate structure: ParticipatoryCorporate structure: Participatory Change: Rapid!Change: Rapid!

Main FeaturesMain Features

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The Ideal!The Ideal!

Strong technical capabilityStrong technical capability Skills in communication and persuasionSkills in communication and persuasion Ability to lead and work effectively as a member of a Ability to lead and work effectively as a member of a

teamteam Understanding of the non-technical forces that Understanding of the non-technical forces that

profoundly influence engineering decisions profoundly influence engineering decisions Commitment to lifelong learningCommitment to lifelong learning Skills in design and project managementSkills in design and project management MultidisciplinaryMultidisciplinary

21st Century Engineering Skills Essential 21st Century Engineering Skills Essential for Competitive Graduates:for Competitive Graduates:

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Quality Control for Quality Control for Engineering ProgramsEngineering Programs

Educational quality control is the cornerstone for Educational quality control is the cornerstone for successful engineering programsuccessful engineering program

Such quality control takes place through Such quality control takes place through accreditationaccreditation

Accreditation reflects a professional judgment that Accreditation reflects a professional judgment that certain students are metcertain students are met

Acts as a benchmark for qualityActs as a benchmark for quality Accreditation is usually voluntary and conducted Accreditation is usually voluntary and conducted

by peersby peers

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Main Features of Successful Main Features of Successful Engineering Education Programs Engineering Education Programs

for the Next Decadefor the Next Decade

InfrastructureStudents Faculty

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Attract the best students in physical & Attract the best students in physical & mathematical sciences with leadership potentialmathematical sciences with leadership potential

Educate & motivate engineering students to be Educate & motivate engineering students to be ready:ready: to implement new technologyto implement new technology to focus on innovationto focus on innovation to understand global trendsto understand global trends

StudentsStudents

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Select faculty with top engineering backgroundSelect faculty with top engineering background Select faculty with excellent potential in carrying Select faculty with excellent potential in carrying

innovative research and providing leadership with innovative research and providing leadership with a global looka global look

Select faculty committed to a dynamic teaching Select faculty committed to a dynamic teaching environmentenvironment

Provide faculty with opportunities for self Provide faculty with opportunities for self developmentdevelopment

Facilitate cooperation with industry & the society Facilitate cooperation with industry & the society at largeat large

FacultyFaculty

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Conducive environment that encourages high Conducive environment that encourages high levels of productivitylevels of productivity

Up to date facilities of international standardsUp to date facilities of international standards

Adopt flexible and clear rules and regulationsAdopt flexible and clear rules and regulations

Infrastructure & Support Infrastructure & Support

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Engineering Education Engineering Education

in the GCCin the GCC

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Engineering Programs Engineering Programs

First Engineering Colleges First Engineering Colleges established in early 1960sestablished in early 1960s

Initially, 10 universities offered Initially, 10 universities offered engineering programsengineering programs

By 2005, more than 30 By 2005, more than 30 colleges/universities offered colleges/universities offered engineering programsengineering programs

There is an increase in the There is an increase in the number of private number of private colleges/universitiescolleges/universities

New alliances with overseas New alliances with overseas universities were formed.universities were formed.

Still, Number of engineering Still, Number of engineering students per capita is still very students per capita is still very low compared to developed low compared to developed countriescountries

CountryCountry No. Eng. St.No. Eng. St.

(2005)(2005)

KSAKSA 14,00014,000

QatarQatar 1,0001,000

KuwaitKuwait 2,5002,500

BahrainBahrain 1,8001,800

UAEUAE 3,8003,800

OmanOman 1,6001,600

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First university degrees, by region: 1997 and 2002First university degrees, by region: 1997 and 2002

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NS&E degrees per 100 24-year-olds,NS&E degrees per 100 24-year-olds,by country: Most recent yearby country: Most recent year

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NS&E degrees per 100 24-year-olds,NS&E degrees per 100 24-year-olds,by country: Most recent yearby country: Most recent year

0.5

1.5

2.5

2.9

0 5 10 15 20

Oman

Saudi Arabia

Bahrain

Qatar

Degrees/100 24 years old

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Engineering Programs in Saudi Arabia Engineering Programs in Saudi Arabia

In 1962, First Engineering College In 1962, First Engineering College establishedestablished

Currently, 13 colleges/universities offer Currently, 13 colleges/universities offer Engineering degreesEngineering degrees

Some Engineering programs have Some Engineering programs have attained ABET substantial equivalency attained ABET substantial equivalency

Several universities established Several universities established MS/PhD programsMS/PhD programs

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Higher Education in KSA (2004/2005)Higher Education in KSA (2004/2005)

Total Number of Bachelor Students: 481,042Total Number of Bachelor Students: 481,042

Total Number of Engineering Students: 13,071Total Number of Engineering Students: 13,071

Total Number of MS Students: 7,843Total Number of MS Students: 7,843

Total Number of PhD Students: 1,806Total Number of PhD Students: 1,806

China aims at graduating 1 MILLION engineers China aims at graduating 1 MILLION engineers a year.a year.

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Number of Engineers in KSANumber of Engineers in KSA

SectorSector SaudisSaudis ExpatriatesExpatriates Grand Grand TotalTotal

NumberNumber %% NumberNumber %%

PublicPublic 57775777 7676 18561856 2424 76337633

PrivatePrivate 1602816028 1616 8305283052 8484 9908099080

TotalTotal 2180521805 20.420.4 8490884908 79.679.6 106713106713

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Number of Engineers for every Number of Engineers for every 100,000 currently 486 including 100,000 currently 486 including expatriate expatriate

Number of Saudi Engineers for Number of Saudi Engineers for every 100,000 currently 120every 100,000 currently 120

Compared to some neighboring Compared to some neighboring countries, there is a need for an countries, there is a need for an additional 100,000 engineers in the additional 100,000 engineers in the Kingdom Kingdom

Number of Engineers in KSA (cont.)Number of Engineers in KSA (cont.)

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KFUPM and Current Trends KFUPM and Current Trends in Engineering Educationin Engineering Education

KFUPM prides itself to be the most prominent KFUPM prides itself to be the most prominent engineering university in the regionengineering university in the region

Number of students in engineering:Number of students in engineering:

YearYear StudentsStudents

19631963 6565

19901990 24892489

20002000 41024102

20052005 40554055

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Focus Tracks in Engineering Focus Tracks in Engineering Education at KFUPMEducation at KFUPM

Communication skillsCommunication skills

Online education (use of Internet)Online education (use of Internet)

InnovationInnovation

Partnership with IndustryPartnership with Industry

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KFUPM Implementation PlansKFUPM Implementation Plans

StudentsStudents

FacultyFaculty

Industrial TechnologyIndustrial Technology

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Student Development ProgramsStudent Development Programs

Programs

GiftedStudentsProgram

AcademicImprovement

Program

PersonalSkills

Program

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Personal Skills ProgramPersonal Skills Program

Developing students skillsthat is needed by job market

VoluntaryCommunity

services

Special events short courses, workshops

International ComputerDriving License, ICDL

AcademicPrograms

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Faculty Development ProgramsFaculty Development Programs

Establishment of Deanship of Academic Establishment of Deanship of Academic DevelopmentDevelopment

Junior faculty programsJunior faculty programs Encouraging Use of Technology in TeachingEncouraging Use of Technology in Teaching Promoting Excellence in Research Promoting Excellence in Research Summer professional development programs with Summer professional development programs with

industryindustry Involvement of practicing engineers from industry Involvement of practicing engineers from industry

in teachingin teaching Support of faculty in organizing international Support of faculty in organizing international

conferences and workshopsconferences and workshops

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Junior Faculty Development ProgramJunior Faculty Development Program

Activities

ResearchTeaching

Research Workshops (DAD) Mentoring Junior faculty grant Industrial Experience Summer Assignment

International, national and KFUPM workshops and conferences Peer consultation Course coordination assignment Technical and learning grants Mentoring Teaching exchange program Certification program

32-Faculty members joined the program in 2005

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Research AchievementsResearch Achievements

Research Projects Approved*Research Projects Approved*

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05

(*) KFUPM attracts the largest number of KACST (*) KFUPM attracts the largest number of KACST engineering research projects in the Kingdomengineering research projects in the Kingdom

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Research Outcomes*Research Outcomes*

Srl. #Srl. # DescriptionDescription 02-0302-03 03-0403-04

11 Publication in referred Publication in referred journals reportedjournals reported

784784 846846

22 Publication in Publication in conference conference proceedings reportedproceedings reported

318318 356356

33 Books published and Books published and contributedcontributed

2424 2727

* KFUPM is the only university in the region * KFUPM is the only university in the region included in the top 100 engineering institutions included in the top 100 engineering institutions worldwide (ISI-web of knowledge, December 2005)worldwide (ISI-web of knowledge, December 2005)

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Instructional TechnologyInstructional Technology

Web-based coursesWeb-based courses

Online coursesOnline courses

E-learningE-learning

Distance learningDistance learning

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A. Web-based Course DevelopmentA. Web-based Course Development

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

11 12 21 22 31 32 41 42

B. Online Course Development: 30 CoursesB. Online Course Development: 30 Courses

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Other Initiatives to Strengthen Other Initiatives to Strengthen Engineering Education at KFUPMEngineering Education at KFUPM

Strengthening partnership with industry by Strengthening partnership with industry by establishing chair positionsestablishing chair positions

Improving coop programs for applied sciences Improving coop programs for applied sciences with major industry partnerswith major industry partners

Enhancing profile of annual career dayEnhancing profile of annual career day The “wireless campus” initiativeThe “wireless campus” initiative The “laptop for every student” initiativeThe “laptop for every student” initiative Enhancing campus network to facilitate on-line Enhancing campus network to facilitate on-line

teaching.teaching.

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Initiatives Along ABET Initiatives Along ABET RequirementsRequirements

Establishment of industrial advisory boards Establishment of industrial advisory boards

Establishment of regular self-assessment Establishment of regular self-assessment programsprograms

Enhancement of the design & communication Enhancement of the design & communication skill components in engineering programsskill components in engineering programs

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Initiatives in Promoting Initiatives in Promoting GCC CooperationGCC Cooperation

Simplified regulations for business and tradeSimplified regulations for business and trade

Unified Customs tariffs and CurrencyUnified Customs tariffs and Currency

Cooperation within the electricity sector Cooperation within the electricity sector (connection grid, standards, etc..)(connection grid, standards, etc..)

Stronger cooperation among educational Stronger cooperation among educational institutions & professional societiesinstitutions & professional societies

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Opportunities for Cooperation Opportunities for Cooperation in Engineering Education in Engineering Education

Institution levelInstitution level

Faculty levelFaculty level

Student levelStudent level

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Cooperation in Engineering Education Cooperation in Engineering Education (Institution)(Institution)

Formal coordination among engineering colleges Formal coordination among engineering colleges (eg. Gulf Accreditation Board for Engineering and (eg. Gulf Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)Technology)

Standard entrance examsStandard entrance exams Linkage of IT resources (eg. Libraries)Linkage of IT resources (eg. Libraries) Cooperation in distance learningCooperation in distance learning Unified engineering certification processUnified engineering certification process Joint organization of conferences /workshops Joint organization of conferences /workshops

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Cooperation in Engineering Education Cooperation in Engineering Education (Faculty)(Faculty)

Faculty exchange programs Faculty exchange programs

(within industry and universities)(within industry and universities)

Joint research programsJoint research programs

Cooperation in short courses deliveryCooperation in short courses delivery

Joint faculty development programsJoint faculty development programs

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Cooperation in Engineering Education Cooperation in Engineering Education (Students)(Students)

Student exchange programsStudent exchange programs

Flexible student transfer among GCC Flexible student transfer among GCC institutionsinstitutions

Extra curricular activitiesExtra curricular activities

Student chapters of professional societiesStudent chapters of professional societies

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To cope with the rapid technology To cope with the rapid technology advances, it is imperative to develop advances, it is imperative to develop aggressive plans and programs to meet the aggressive plans and programs to meet the challenges of the 21st centurychallenges of the 21st century

The future of engineering in the region is at The future of engineering in the region is at stake: our programs need to be formulated stake: our programs need to be formulated to graduate engineers able to take a leading to graduate engineers able to take a leading role in the community.role in the community.

Concluding RemarksConcluding Remarks