Restructuring Engineering Education: Why, How and When?


Book Description

There is strong interest in broadening engineering education, bringing in more liberal arts content as well as additional subjects such as economics, business and law, with which engineers now have to be familiar. There are also cogent arguments for balancing against what is now the almost exclusively quantitative nature of the curriculum, adding more elements that relate to the actual practice of engineering, and structuring engineering education so as to provide multiple and later entry points, which should enable more informed career choices and make engineering attractive to a more diverse range of the population. Many have also sought a change in the level of the professional engineering degree from the bachelor's to the graduate level, which would logically, and probably also necessarily, accompany these changes. However, progress towards such changes in the United States has been marginal, in large part because incentives on the micro- and meso-scales do not match those on the macro-scale. On the other hand, there is much more substantial change in other countries, driven in part by the Bologna process. For the United States to be the last to change would be counter to the goal of retaining higher-functioning engineering jobs in the U. S. What needs to happen in order for the U. S. to change is evaluated. (Contains 37 endnotes.).




Restructuring Shared Governance in Higher Education


Book Description

Shared governance has been a hallmark of higher education in the United States since the early twentieth century. Since its inception, faculty, administrators, trustees, and other interested parties have either bemoaned or celebrated the idea. We offer a variety of viewpoints that bring to light various ways to think of shared governance. The intent is to foment dialogue and debate about the shape of shared governance for the future. Our assumption is that many challenges are at academe's doorstep that may require significant changes. If those of us who work in colleges and university are not well organized to deal with those challenges, the solutions that we develop will be love's labors lost. Governance is the means to implementing ideas that either respond to problems or provide new strategies. If academic governance is ineffective, then it needs to be reformed. The shape of those reforms is what the authors of this volume consider. Chapters address the subject of shared governance from several perspectives, including partnerships between the state and higher education; disjointed governance in university centers and insitutes; a cultural perspective on communication and governance; and balancing governance structures with leadership and trust. Contributors also explore a conceptual framework of faculty trust and participation in governance. This is the 127th issue of the Jossey-Bass quarterly report series New Directions for Higher Education.




Restructuring Engineering Education


Book Description

This report is an integration of the reports, perspectives and concerns from four discussions groups: students, faculty, curricula, and experiential learning. Recommendations include: engineering educ. must encourage multiple thrusts for diversity, engineering educ. needs a new system of faculty rewards and incentives, assessment and evaluation processes must encourage desired expectations for both faculty and students; the changes needed for engineering educ. require comprehensive change across the campus, not just in the engineering college. Illustrated.




The Responsive University


Book Description

In THE RESPONSIVE UNIVERSITY, William G. Tierney brings together a distinguished group of practitioners and scholars to describe how colleges and universities might respond more effectively to changing social, demographic, and political forces. Changes contributors propose are far-reaching throughout the entire academy, but, at the same time, practical for achieving high performance.




New Developments in Engineering Education for Sustainable Development


Book Description

This book discusses essential approaches and methods in connection with engineering education for sustainable development. Prepared as a follow-up to the 2015 Engineering Education in Sustainable Development (EESD) Conference held in British Columbia, Canada, it offers the engineering community key information on the latest trends and developments in this important field. Reflecting the need to address the links between formal and informal education, the scholars and professionals who contribute to this book show by means of case studies and projects how the goal of fostering sustainable development in the context of engineering education can be achieved. In particular, they discuss the need for restructuring teaching at engineering‐focused institutions of higher education and provide practical examples of how to do so. The book places special emphasis on state-of-the art descriptions of approaches, methods, initiatives and projects from around the world, illustrating the contribution of engineering and affiliated sciences to sustainable development in various contexts, and at an international scale.




Restructuring Higher Education


Book Description

Examines what works and what doesn't in restructuring state systems of higher education and offers guidelines for producing successful change. Describes changes from five states--detailing the political, economic, and social events that prompted the restructuring, the process by which it was implemented, and the systemic effects of restructuring.




Restructuring a Higher Education Institution a Case Study from a Developing Country


Book Description

Purpose - The competitive environment facing all organizations has forced many of them to choose strategies that enhance organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Re-engineering is one of the tools used in administering productivity improvements, cost control and asset management.Design/methodology/approach - This paper examines the re-engineering process of a higher education institution (HEI) in Malaysia. The impact of cost reduction strategies linked to the overall performance of the organization is discussed in comparison to management system prior to restructuring; vision, mission and strategic direction; core business processes; financial performance analysis; corporate and organizational structure; reorganization of learning centers; courses offered; human resource policies and customers feedback.Findings - The study found that generally the HEI focused on the cost-cutting strategy especially on cost of sales and operational expenses. Consequently, there were increases in the utilization of the learning; occupancy of the learning centers; number of home courses offered increased and a decrease in employment of part-time teaching staff. There were also marked improvements in academic networks and partnerships that provide for knowledge exchange and transfer.Originality/value - Although a number of studies have been carried out in Malaysia, very few have concentrated on restructuring process of higher educational institutions. This study critically examines the restructuring process and the major gains of a higher educational institution that embarked on a restructuring program to fully meet its objectives of high quality education and training.




The Future of the Post-Massified University at the Crossroads


Book Description

The modern university started as an innovative model - a research-driven teaching and service model in the 19th century -, but the contemporary university is in a crisis of identity. The major challenge is how to harmonize different missions, e.g., teaching, research, and service. The triple function has become questionable and research now dominates the other two functions in contemporary higher education. This book takes a step towards further academic and policy discussions on the restructuring the triple functions of university and designing the future of the post-massified university.