Engineering education and its current (un)suitability in addressing Sustainable Development Goals

This paper assesses the current approaches to engineering education, focusing on the integration of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) to address Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Utilising a case study methodology within engineering higher education institutions (HEIs) in South India, the research involves mapping the current curriculum against SDGs, quantitative assessment of student performance in control and experimental groups, and qualitative interviews with academics. Findings indicate a notable underemphasis on the Social and Economic sustainability pillars. Interviews reveal a lack of SDG knowledge among academics, who questioned its relevance to engineering. Despite this scepticism, quantitative results demonstrate increased student comprehension in the experimental group. The study emphasises the need for the evolution of current engineering higher education (HE) approaches, providing insights for policymakers and institutions to revise curricula and teaching practices, empowering students and academics to address contemporary and future sustainability challenges

What can be done about the discarded face mask pandemic? An innovative engineering solution

The severe increase in pollution caused by the discarded face masks during COVID-19 cannot be overstated. This research provides an innovative engineering solution to this issue by recycling polypropylene, the primary plastic found in the facemasks to manufacture eco-composite by reinforcing it with natural flax fibres. Providing a manufacturing recycling path for polypropylene is important to prevent ecological damage to the rivers and water supplies that are already contaminated by the disposed face masks. The proposed eco-composite material is a more sustainable alternative to the existing materials being used in automotive and aerospace interiors, sports equipment and acoustic structures such as speakers and soundproofing panels. This research turns the unaddressed problem of discarded face masks into a novel engineering material for various industrial manufacturing applications. SDGs 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are the focus of this work

Motivation to Conduct Research in a Rapidly Evolving Academic Environment: A Study of Coimbatore’s Engineering Institutions

1. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V., MILES, M., MACHADO-TAYLOR, M. D. L. & GINGELE, J. 2018. Evolution of Coimbatore’s Engineering Institutions: Current challenges and future directions. Higher Education in Central and Eastern Europe: National, Regional and European Trajectories. Budapest, Hungary: CEU. 2. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V. P., MILES, M., HORODNIC, I. A. & MACHADO-TAYLOR, M. L., 2017, Research Productivity of Higher Educational Systems in Transition: A Study of Engineering Institutions in Coimbatore, India. MISSION RESPONSIBLE: Future of Education and Youth Work, 30/11/2017 - 02/12/2017 2017b Athens, Greece. 3. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V. P., MILES, M., HORODNIC, I. A. & GINGELE, J. 2017. Influences of Cultural Identities on the Research Productivity of Academics: A Study of Engineering Institutions in South India. UNESCO’s World Humanities Conference, 06-12/08/2017 2017a Liege, Belgium. Liege: UNESCO. 4. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V. P., MILES, M., FOX, A. & GINGELE, J. 2015. Shifting the threshold of motivation theory to overcome local disquietudes in Coimbatore, India. V.C.’s conference. Plymouth, UK. 5. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V. P., MILES, M. & GINGELE, J. 2013. A Review of the Studies on Motivational Practices in Higher Educational Institutions in Developing Countries. International Conference on Academic Disciplines. Rome, Italy. 6. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V. P., FOX, A. & SHERIF, K., 2011, Overcoming failures in placements of people from parent companies to a foreign subsidiary organisation. Change Management in a Dynamic Environment, 2011 Politehnica University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania. 338-345. 7. BAKTHAVATCHAALAM, V. P. & FOX, A. 2010. Human Resource Management in Indian Industries: Motivating Businesses to Sustain Economic Development into the Future. Rai Management Journal,The Indian academic system is in a period of rapid transition evidenced by the increasing number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), students and academics. However, very few studies have explored the Research Productivity (RP) of the academics and the various factors influencing them. Even those few studies have largely ignored the influences of indigenous factors and academic dishonesty on the RP of academics. This research explores how different factors influence the academic RP in South Indian engineering institutions founded after 1990. This study uses a mixed method approach. Quantitative data was collected from a sample of 307 engineering academics working in fifty-seven engineering institutions in South India. This was used to measure the current state of RP and the various factors that influence it. Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews to help understand the interconnections between those factors and the changing academic environment. Results were analysed with tests of association, differences, factor analysis, weighted Least Square regression and TOBIT regression. Interview data was analysed based on content analysis. The results show that indigenous factors play a major role in motivating the academics to conduct research whereas corruption / academic dishonesty, thought to be prevalent at all levels in the Higher Educational System tends to reduce their research motivation. The analysis also revealed challenges faced by the academic system and its failure to achieve its research potential. The research found how factors such as Elements of Cultural Identities, Academic Dishonesty and Changing Academic environment are interconnected and how these interconnections influenced academics’ RP. Based on the results the research offers suggestions on increasing the RP of the academics and decreasing the academic dishonesty at various levels thus informing future HE policy making

Assessment of policy-society interface to increase female participation: A study of aerospace engineering in the Maldives

This study aims to identify and analyse the various factors leading to low female participation in Maldivian aerospace industry and discuss the policies required to improve this sector. Using a qualitative method, data from both male and female aerospace engineers were collected and content analysis was used to identify themes. The results show a range of barriers influencing Maldivian women to study and participate in aerospace engineering. How the society tended to generalise all types of engineering which resulted in several misconceptions around the aerospace industry was seen. The research discusses how to improve the education and engineering policies and its interface with the Maldivian society. This work would be of use to engineering educators, policy makers and education institutions to change their practices to increase gender equity in this area. It focusses on SDG 4, 5, 8 and 10

What can be done about the discarded face mask pandemic? An innovative engineering solution

The severe increase in pollution caused by the discarded face masks during COVID-19 cannot be overstated. This research provides an innovative engineering solution to this issue by recycling polypropylene, the primary plastic found in the facemasks to manufacture eco-composite by reinforcing it with natural flax fibres. Providing a manufacturing recycling path for polypropylene is important to prevent ecological damage to the rivers and water supplies that are already contaminated by the disposed face masks. The proposed eco-composite material is a more sustainable alternative to the existing materials being used in automotive and aerospace interiors, sports equipment and acoustic structures such as speakers and soundproofing panels. This research turns the unaddressed problem of discarded face masks into a novel engineering material for various industrial manufacturing applications. SDGs 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 are the focus of this work

Empowering female participation in engineering research: Unmasking constrains and developing gender-sensitive research policies

This research investigates the current research policies to support female academics in engineering and technology research in South Indian higher education institutions (HEIs). It examines how the socio-cultural systems and institutional research policies influence females’ employment, opportunities to conduct research (OCR), and overall research productivity (RP). A qualitative method was used to collect data from male and female academics. Findings reveal a stark absence of gender-sensitive policies that acknowledge the unique barriers faced by female academics in engineering. The currently followed gender-neutral policies overlook crucial societal dynamics, hindering females’ research opportunities. The study proposes an empirical model accounting for these complex interactions, thus offering insights for HEIs and policymakers to develop equitable policies to foster and recognise female participation in engineering research

Circular economy as a strategy in European automotive industries to achieve

The automotive industry is reported as being one of the main contributors to the global environmental crisis, thusrequiring a radical shift in the way they perform business-as-usual (UNFCCC, 2018). The UN and a growing number ofstudies hail Circular Economy as a holistic economic model that is expected to minimise human’s impact on theenvironment and the resources (UN, 2021; Desing et al., 2021). This study aims to develop a model and to provide a setof recommendations for the automotive supply-chain and policy-makers to enable their transition, acceleration and toboost the adoption of CE. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders and content analysis used to group factors andform a model. The analysis revealed a range of internal and external roadblocks for the adoption of CE. These includedifferences in the generational mindset, measuring circularity, complex logistics and the lack of innovative solutions.Furthermore, interestingly, the results pointed to a need for redefinition of concepts such as value, design and luxury inorder to boost and accelerate the adoption of CE in the automotive sector. This research addresses SDG 8, 9 and 12

Circular economy as a strategy in European automotive industries to achieve sustainable development: A qualitative study

The automotive industry is reported as being one of the main contributors to the global environmental crisis, thus requiring a radical shift in the way they perform business-as-usual (UNFCCC, 2018). The UN and a growing number of studies hail Circular Economy as a holistic economic model that is expected to minimise human’s impact on the environment and the resources (UN, 2021; Desing et al., 2021). This study aims to develop a model and to provide a set of recommendations for the automotive supply-chain and policy-makers to enable their transition, acceleration and to boost the adoption of CE. Interviews were conducted with stakeholders and content analysis used to group factors and form a model. The analysis revealed a range of internal and external roadblocks for the adoption of CE. These include differences in the generational mindset, measuring circularity, complex logistics and the lack of innovative solutions. Furthermore, interestingly, the results pointed to a need for redefinition of concepts such as value, design and luxury in order to boost and accelerate the adoption of CE in the automotive sector. This research addresses SDG 8, 9 and 12

Are female academics more research resilient? Evidence from South India’s engineering institutions

This study investigates the factors influencing female academics' research productivity in a developing country context, particularly India, focusing on Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, and 8. Conducted among engineering academics in South India, the research aims to uncover the challenges faced by female academics and the strategies they employ to overcome them. Interviews with male and female academics were analysed using content analysis. Building on prior quantitative research, the study highlights the considerable obstacles faced by Indian female academics, including economic pressures, family responsibilities, resource limitations, and social and cultural factors compared to their male counterparts. Despite these challenges, the study surprisingly finds that female academics demonstrate comparable research productivity to male academics, prompting further exploration into the mechanisms enabling their productivity

The influence of social support on sleep and fatigue level among patients receiving hemodialysis in Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional correlational design

Background: Patients on hemodialysis (HD) are more likely to experience sleep problems and fatigue that may affect their health outcomes. Management of these patients with social support may improve their sleep quality and fatigue as well as their health. Aim: This study aimed to assess the influence of social support on sleep quality and fatigue levels among HD patients. Methods: A cross-correlational study was conducted among 260 conveniently sampled HD patients from four dialysis centers in Hail and Al-Qassim cities of Saudi Arabia from Jun 2022 to January 2023. Besides sociodemographic data, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) and the Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3) were used to assess sleep quality, fatigue levels and social support, respectively. Chi-square test was used to determine the association between categorical variables, while Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to test the correlation between sleep quality, fatigue, and social support. Results: Poor sleep and high fatigue were significantly higher in older patients compared to younger patients (p <0.001), while strong social support was significantly lower in older patients than younger and middle-aged ones (p = 0.001). On the other hand, poor sleep and high fatigue were significantly higher in males than females (p = 0.022 and p <0.001, respectively), while strong social support was significantly higher in females than males (p <0.001). Married patients showed significantly poorer sleep than single ones (p = 0.019), but single patients received significantly stronger social support. Retired patients showed significantly poorer sleep, higher fatigue and weaker social support than other groups (p <0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between fatigue and sleep quality among HD patients, where patients with more fatigue had poorer sleep (r = −0.510, p <0.001). A significant positive correlation was found between social support and sleep quality, where patients with stronger social support had more normal sleep (r = 0.415, p <0.001). However, a significant negative correlation was found between social support and fatigue, where patients with stronger social support had lower levels of fatigue (r = −0.479, p <0.001). Conclusion: Saudi patients on HD who have stronger social support have better sleep quality and reduced fatigue levels than those with less social support. There is a need to design and implement intervention studies with structured social support programs, and to evaluate their effectiveness on improving sleep and reducing fatigue among HD patients