The document discusses the evolving role of engineers and the need for reform in engineering education, citing various studies and achievements of the 20th century. It highlights new challenges in the 21st century, such as demographic shifts and technological advancements that necessitate a more integrated and adaptable engineering curriculum. The text emphasizes the importance of preparing students for a future where engineering, science, and medicine work collaboratively to address global issues.

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Mohammad Noori
mohammad.noori@gmail.com
International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES)
Global Webinar Series
Sponsored by Indo-US Collaboration for Engineering Education (IUCEE.Org)
December 6, 2011

2. Changing Role of Engineers and
the Need to Reform Engineering Curriculum
► Major Studies Published 2003-2008:
◘ NAE, 2004, The Engineer of 2020
◘ NAE, 2005, Educating the Engineer of 2020
◘ NAE, 2008, Changing the Conversation
◘ NSF, 2007, The 5XME Workshop: Transforming
ME Education and Research
◘ ASME, 2008 Global Summit on the Future of
Mechanical Engineering
◘ Duderstadt, 2008, Engineering for a Changing World
◘ ASCE, 2008, Civil Engineering Body of Knowledge
for the 21st Century
◘ Carnegie Foundation 2008, “Educating Engineers:
Designing for the Future of the Field”

3. Grand Challenges- Background
► In the 20th Century, engineering recorded its grandest
accomplishments. 2003- the book A Century of Innovation:
Twenty Engineering Achievements That Transformed Our
Lives, published through a project initiated by the National
Academy of Engineering (NAE).
1. Electrification 11. Highways
2. Automobile 12. Spacecraft
3. Airplane 13. Internet
4. Water Supply and Distribution 14. Imaging
5. Electronics 15. Household Appliances
6. Radio and Television 16. Health Technologies
7. Agricultural Mechanization 17. Petroleum/Petrochemical Technologies
8. Computers 18. Laser and Fiber Optics
9. Telephone 19. Nuclear Technologies
10. Air Conditioning & Refrigeration 20. High-performance Materials

4. New Frontiers for
Engineering in the 21st Century
► In the 21st Century Engineering is faced with New
Frontiers. Our World is Changing
20th century: 21st Century:
Stovepipes Science, Engineering,
◘ Scientists discovered. and Medicine are:
◘ Totally interdependent.
◘ Engineers created.
◘ Doctors healed. ◘ Blending together in new
ways.

5. New Context for Engineering
1. Breakthroughs in
technology
2. Demographics
3. Global Challenges
4. Economic/societal forces
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6. New Context for Engineering
1. Breakthroughs in Technology:
Sustainable Technology
Microelectronics/
telecommunications
Nanotechnology Biotechnology/
Nano-medicine
Logistics
Photonics/optics Manufacturing

7. New Context for Engineering
1. Breakthroughs in Technology:
Bio Macro
Info Energy
Bio-based materials Environment
Nano
Biomemetics Health Care
Personalized, Predictive Medicine Manufacturing
Smaller and Smaller
Synthetic Biology Communications
Faster and Faster
More and More Complex
Biofuels Logistics
Etc.
◘ The payoffs will come from bridging these frontiers.
◘ Our students must be prepared to do this.
◘ Frontiers and synergies (natural and social sciences)
must be reflected in the university education.
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8. New Context for Engineering
2. Demographics
Global Challenges are a New Reality
► 8 billion people; a 25% increase since 2000.
► Balance tipped toward urbanization and “Mega Cities”.
 By 2007, for the 1st time, majority of population lived in cities
 By the end of 2010, more than 59 cities with population of
more than 5 million; 50% increase since 2001
 Challenges: Environmental issues, congestion, delivery
systems, etc. For instance, in 2007, congestion in American
populated cities caused: travel 4.2B hours more, and an extra
2.8B gallons of fuel---a total congestion cost of $87.2B.
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9. New Context for Engineering
2. Demographics
Global Challenges are a New Reality
► Youth “bulge” in underdeveloped nations while
developed nations age.
► If the world condensed to 100 people:
◘ 56 in Asia
◘ 7 in Eastern Europe/Russia
◘ 16 in Africa
◘ 4 in the United States
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