1 May 2000
Copyright © 2000 World Expertise LLC – All rights reserved
A periodic electronic newsletter for engineering education leaders,
edited by Russel C. Jones, PhD., P.E.
1. Temporary Workers for US high tech industries
2. Distance learning training from SEFI
3. Young engineers needed in defense industry
4. ASEE election results
5. Upcoming meetings of interest
Industry-University-Government Roundtable
Second Global Conference in Germany
Gordon Conference on Science and Technology Policy
6. Shift away from research fellows at NSF
7. European Journal of Engineering Education articles
8. New SOCRATES thematic network proposed
9. Positions of possible interest available
10. Report on Engineering Foundation Conference in Barga, Italy
1. Temporary workers for US high tech industries - The Institute for the Study of International Migration at Georgetown University has issued a new report entitled “H-1B Temporary Workers: Estimating the Population”. In a first attempt to estimate the number of H-1B workers in the US, the report concludes that more than 420,000 temporary foreign workers are currently employed under this program. Under current ceilings, that number is estimated to grow to 460,000 workers in 2001. If pending legislation passes, setting the annual ceiling at 195,000, the population would peak at 710,000 in 2002. For more detail, see http://www.ieeeusa.org/grassroots/immreform/ISIMh1brelease.html
2. Distance learning training from SEFI – The European Society for Engineering Education has announced the availability of a training program on running web-based courses for continuing engineering education. The FACILE STAFF TRAINING program is based upon newly designed training modules developed on the basis of experience with previous pilot efforts. The modules will be available from May 15 to June 30, with training covering four main areas: technology, pedagogy, planning and organization, and project work. Cost is EUR 50. For more information or registration, send an e-mail to: ursula.vierlinger@tuwien.ac.at
3. Young engineers needed in defense industry – An article in the 18 April 2000 Wall Street Journal indicates that US defense companies are having difficulty attracting young engineers. Staff reporter Anne Marie Squeo writes that cutbacks in government funds to aerospace and defense firms make jobs in those industries less secure, so younger engineers are shying away from them. Young engineers are instead being attracted by the Internet economy, and its computer and software firms. The article describes how defense companies such as Northrop Grumman, TRW, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing are mobilizing to win back the hearts of young engineers. See http://content.entrypoint.com/content.asp?cid=16516355&md5=a49ff4ce9496e04b51327bfe4f8aa6a5&bid=1
4. ASEE Election Results – The American Society for Engineering Education has announced that recent national voting has resulted in the election of Gerald Jakubowski as incoming President-Elect. Jakubowski, of the College of Engineering and Science at Loyola Marymount University, has served two terms on the ASEE Board of Directors. At the Annual Meeting of ASEE this June, current President-Elect Wallace T. Fowler will succeed current President John A. Weese.
5. Upcoming meetings of interest –
The Industry-Government Roundtable for Enhancing Engineering Education will hold its biannual national workshop at Iowa State University on May 22. The IUGREEE was organized to influence the quality of engineering education programs so engineering graduates are able to meet the challenges of current and future technical and business environments. Panel discussions will focus on summer faculty programs, education enhancement at the regional and state levels, and how to improve and increase industry/university research collaboration. For more information, contact Patti Buzzell at pbuzzell@iastate.edu
The Second Global Congress on Engineering Education, organized by the UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education, will be held in Wismar, Germany from 2-7 July 2000. Congress discussions will concentrate on three major themes: general issues in engineering and technology education, international collaboration in engineering and technology education, and academic/industry collaborations in engineering technology education. The conference is being hosted by the Hochschule Wismar, University of Technology, Business and Design. See http://www.eng.monash.edu.au/uicee/
A Seminar on New Frontiers in Science and Technology Policy, sponsored as part of the Gordon Research Conferences for 2000, will be held 20-25 August 2000 in Plymouth, New Hampshire. Organizers of the seminar are Wil Lepowski of Chemical and Engineering News, Martin Apple of the Council of Scientific Society Presidents, and Daryl Chubin of the National Science Board. Topics will include: science, technology and the clash of values; the budget and beyond, trends and issues behind Federal spending; improving the S&T information system; the changing research university; science and math education; innovation and the reservoir of new ideas; international dimensions; and the new economic and social contract. For more information, see http://www.grc.uri.edu/programs/2000/newfront.htm
6. Shift away from research fellow at NSF – In a news article in the 21 April 2000 issue of Science magazine, entitled “Sharp Jump in Teaching Fellows Draws Fire from Educators”, Jeffrey Mervis writes that a drop in the number of prestigious research fellowships and a rapid rise in a new program that sends students into public schools is prompting questions. Critics say that the spending plan in the 2001 National Science Foundation budget request to Congress reflects a continued erosion of the Graduate Research Fellowship program and an overhasty expansion of the teaching fellows program – which is aimed at encouraging universities to help improve precollege science education. NSF Director Rita Colwell defends the GK-12 fellows program, saying that it will broaden graduate education and boost the science, engineering and technology content in K-12 classrooms. See www.sciencemag.org
7. European Journal of Engineering Education articles – Volume 25, Number 1 of the Journal contains several articles of interest, such as “Accreditation of engineering studies, formal systems versus individual responsibility” by Guy Brusselmans, and “Approaches to the international recognition of professional qualifications in engineering and the sciences” by Derek Jeffries and Julia Evetts. Information about the journal is available at http://www.catchword.co.uk/titles/03043797.htm
8. New SOCRATES Thematic Network proposed – As a follow-up to the former thematic network managed by H3E during 1996-99, a proposed initiative of the Universita degli Studi di Firenze of Italy will establish a new SOCRATES Thematic Network on Higher Engineering Education in Europe. Some 80 institutions of higher engineering education, as well as several associations (SEFI, BEST, FEANI, CLAIU, IACEE, CESAER) have agreed to support and play an active role in this project. An application from Prof. Claudio Borri at Firenze was sent to the EU Commission in March 2000, and final decisions are expected this summer – allowing for a September 2000 start of the three-year project. (Reported in the SEFI electronic bulletin of 11 April 2000).
9. Positions of possible interest available – Following are several position searches advertised in the 28 April 2000 Chronicle of Higher Education:
Dean, College of Information Technology, United Arab Emirates University
Electrical Engineering Department Head, The University of Texas at Dallas
Chief Academic Officer, Lamar University
President, Montana State University
Executive Director, Business-Higher Education Forum, American Council on Education
In addition, the following position vacancies were announced in the April 2000 issue of ASEE Prism:
Chair, Division of Electrical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
Dean of Engineering and Applied Science, University of New Haven
10. Report on Engineering Foundation Conference in Barga, Italy – The Engineering Foundation sponsored a conference on ‘Engineering Education for Global Practice in the 21st Century – Accreditation and Assessment’ in Barga, Italy from 9-14 April 2000. Co-chaired by Carl J. McHargue of the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Stanley I. Proctor of Proctor Consulting Services, the conference attracted some 60 participants from Europe, North America, and several developing countries. In a session on Accreditation and Assessment, speakers focused on industrial expectations of engineering education, quality assurance and assessment, and mutual recognition agreements. In sessions on established accreditation activities, speakers described current programs in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Mexico. Considerable discussion centered on outcomes assessment and on continuous improvement processes. Speakers also described the introduction of accreditation systems in Germany, Japan, and several developing countries. Cross-border acceptance of engineering education credentials, and the FEANI process in Europe, were described in detail. Proceedings of the conference are being prepared. Contact engfnd@aol.com
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