Needs of Students and Educators for Effective Organization of Continuing Engineering Education

Abstract

Universities face increasing demand for Continuing Engineering Education (CEE). However, prospective students' and industry's expectations and needs differ from those associated with traditional university education offerings. Educators thus face new challenges in planning and implementing the curricula whilst navigating the diverse needs of student groups, including undergraduate and graduate students, as well as lifelong learners who want to update or renew their skills, knowledge, and work-life competencies. The workshop organized by the CEE/LLL SIG gathered views from three different perspectives (learner, educator and successful CEE implementation models). Key findings show that there is a desire for a range of CEE offerings, but it is complex - with varying individual learner motivations and needs, challenging for universities to select and develop viable and valuable offerings, as well as the need to develop the skills of their staff further. Also, new technologies have the opportunity to offer greater personalisation and the potential and risks of these need to be explored further. These themes inform further research as well as development activities in higher education institutions.