New Perspectives on Engineering New Perspectives on Engineering Education and the Job Market: Education and the Job Market:

Challenges, OpportunitiesChallenges, Opportunities

Dr. Samir AL-BaiyatDr. Samir AL-Baiyat

Dean,Dean,College of Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering Sciences,

King Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsKing Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsDhahran, Saudi ArabiaDhahran, Saudi ArabiaD-CES@kfupm.edu.saD-CES@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 cooperationOpportunities for cooperation

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 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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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

Tech. development: MultidisciplinaryTech. development: Multidisciplinary Markets: GlobalizedMarkets: Globalized Environment: EndangeredEnvironment: Endangered Social responsibility: EngineeringSocial responsibility: Engineering 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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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 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 Higher Education in KSA 1426/25 H (2004/2005)1426/25 H (2004/2005)

Total Number of Bachelor Students: 505,932Total Number of Bachelor Students: 505,932

Total Number of Engineering Students: 16,724Total Number of Engineering Students: 16,724

Total Number of MS Students: 9,141Total Number of MS Students: 9,141

Total Number of PhD Students: 1,139Total Number of PhD Students: 1,139

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

20062006 44924492

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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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Instructional TechnologyInstructional Technology

Web-based coursesWeb-based courses

Online coursesOnline courses

E-learningE-learning

Distance learningDistance learning

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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)

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

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

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THANK YOUTHANK YOU

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Undergraduate Enrollment in USAUndergraduate Enrollment in USA