Journal of Engineering Education Transformations

S. Meenakshi ¹, Amiya Kumar Rath ², Seemita Mohanty ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Odisha, IN
2 Department of Computer Science & Engineering VSSUT, Burla, Odisha, IN

Abstract

Engineering education today has seen enormous growth and development in terms of the quality of education and the deliverables. The profession is experiencing major changes in knowledge, equipment, systems and management in order to achieve higher standards in a competitive world. Consequently, engineering firms continuously need engineers with strong technical knowledge, in addition to being well-equipped with employability skills. In order to face new challenges, new opportunities and ever challenging circumstances, new engineers have to continually adapt and upgrade necessary skills such as self-learning, problem solving and other personal skills that can be applied in different situations. Apart from the technical knowhow's and show-how's, they also need the requisite interpersonal skills to thrive in the field in the long term. In this paper, we review the package of skill set anticipated from an engineering graduate from the employer's perception, and reveal the existing competency gaps for successful execution of engineering services.

Keywords

Engineering, Employability, Competencies, Skill, Generic Attributes, Graduate Attributes.

Full Text

     

S. Meenakshi ¹, Seemita Mohanty ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, IN

Abstract

The objective of the present study is twofold. First is to explore engineering students' perceptions on the importance of generic attributes required to become a successful engineer, and, second is to assess the extent to which the students possess these generic attributes. To achieve the objectives a cross-sectional study was conducted among final year engineering students pursing various engineering programmes under a state technical university in Odisha,India,during the academic session of spring 2016. Making use of the survey method, data were collected from the respondents with the help of a questionnaire. The results indicate that there is a serious mismatch between the students' perception on the importance of the generic attributes,and the attributes possessed by them. In addition, the findings reveal that students possess very less knowledge on discipline-specific technology and tools. The social and business contexts of practicing engineering is also not much known to them, in addition to possessing inadequate problem-solving and leadership skills. Further, they are not able to manage the stress in their lives even though they are very well aware of its importance in a person's general well-being.

Keywords

Generic Attributes, Engineering Students, Engineering Education, Knowledge, Skills, Academia.

Full Text

     

Meenakshi Sankaran ¹, Seemita Mohanty ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, National Institute of Technology, Rourkela, Odisha, IN

Abstract

The study had two key objectives. First was to explore the teaching and learning methods currently being practiced by engineering college faculty members, and, second was to review the perceptions of the engineering teachers on the teaching-learning methods that would benefit the engineering students. To achieve the objectives, a study was conducted among faculty members handling classes of engineering students of various engineering colleges affiliated to a technical university of Odisha. The sample size comprised of 109 faculty members from 23 different engineering colleges affiliated to the technical university. The responses of the participants were elicited through a questionnaire-based survey and the eight most popular teaching and learning methods were used as questionnaire items. The study outcomes communicate that the participating faculty members are not much aware of how problem-based and project-based teaching and learning approaches can benefit their students in the classrooms. Furthermore, the results also revealed that group discussion, project-based method, problem-based method, case study method, brainstorming and role playing are not very popular teaching-learning methods among faculty members. The respondents all agreed that they do not practice these methods too frequently in their classes. The chalk and talk method is the most common teaching-learning method that is widely used by the participants, followed by the audio-visual method. According to the participants these two methods of teaching and learning are most useful for engineering students.

Keywords

Teaching, Learning, Pedagogy, Instructional Methods, Engineering Education, Teachers.

Full Text