Approaches to the embedding of sustainability into the engineering curriculum - where are we now, and how do our graduates become global engineers?

This paper presents a resume of how the topic of sustainability can become fully-integrated into the engineering curriculum in the UK, and how this needs to evolve toward consideration of how graduates could be better developed as global engineers. The paper begins by providing a justification as to why sustainability is an important feature of the already overcrowded engineering curriculum, and briefly reports, through illustrative examples, on alternative approaches which currently embed sustainability into the engineering curriculum. The paper makes the case that it is timely now to re-address the learning outcomes in order to enhance the students’ experience beyond just the inclusion of new curriculum content It does this by consideration of the identified drivers that range from the accrediting bodies and from the aspirations of employers, through revised approaches to embed sustainability, to the consideration of students’ own perceptions of sustainability and ultimately to their becoming employed as global engineers. The paper therefore discusses both the current and planned work toward supporting the development of engineering graduates into global citizens, with a greater emphasis upon their responsibility to ensure a sustainable future world, moving beyond sustainability awareness towards informed application of sustainability thinking

An introduction to sustainable development in the Engineering curriculum

The guide looks at why and how EngSD is included in the engineering curriculum and considers embedded versus discrete approaches. It discusses approaches to teaching and learning for EngSD, including examples of EngSD within the curriculum and a ‘what next?’ section, which points the reader towards further areas of study and practice. As an introduction to EngSD within engineering programmes, this guide does not seek to prescribe courses of action but rather aims to outline the main opportunities, sources of guidance and educational resources which may enable informed debate and decision making. Both personal action and leadership are required in equal measure if graduate engineers are to meet the needs of society, even when society itself may not be taking action (Blincoe, 2009). Readers of this guide should, therefore, feel empowered toward personal action and leadership in the encouragement of their future graduates in becoming effective global engineers

Teaching International Students (TIS) : An Engineering Perspective with a Focus on Group and Project-Based Work

The study described in this report forms part of the Teaching International Students (TIS) Project being co-ordinated by the Higher Education Academy (HEA) along with the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA). The aim of the project is to recommend ways in which academic staff can enhance the learning of international students. Several HEA Subject Centres are involved with the project and this report detaisl work by the Engineering Subject Centre, which has a focus on group and project-based working. Higher Education Statistics Agancy (HESA) data from 2008/9 was screened for those engineering schools and departments within UK universities that were identified as having recruited signnificant proportions of international students. Twelve universities were chosen from across the mission groups [see Table 1] and staff at a sample of 11 engineering units from withing eight of these institutions were consulted [see Table 2]. The purpose of the consultation was to access perceptions and activities in the teaching and support of international students and to assess factors in students' engagement in group and project-based working. The consultation with staff was undertaken through semi-structured interviews using a brief questionnaire [see Appendix A] that had been sent to interviewees in advance so the they had time to consider their responses. transcriipts of the interviews were written up as case studies and these are rpesented in the supplementary appendices [Appendices 1 to 3]. Analysis and extracts ffrom the 11 case studies were used to distil information on current and possible future practices surrounding international students, particularly on the students' interactions with group and project-based work