Title: Engineering design: academic dilemma

Authors: R. Bertodo

Addresses: Telos Management Spa and RAE - Charter Professor, Bristol University, formerly Rover Group, UK

Abstract: Changes in industrial practices have created an urgent need for a new type of engineering designer: an able problem-solver, competent communicator and interactor, knowledgeable beyond a single specialization, innovative and customer-responsive. Current university curricula do not usually offer students the ability to develop such skills. There is a growing realization in academic circles that a change is needed. Pilot courses suggest that orientation towards project work and case studies, taught in multidisciplinary groups, would provide the required abilities. Such a radical restructuring of engineering design teaching would force a major reorganization of academic power structures and privileges, giving rise to resistance and rejection. The more competitive environment brought about by expansion of university places, at a time of demographic contraction, may well force change as a means of survival.

Keywords: competition; courses; distance learning; industry; innovation; multidisciplinary skills; students; team working; universities; higher education; engineering design education; engineering designers.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1994.061895

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1994 Vol.15 No.6, pp.545 - 562

Published online: 28 May 2014 *

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