Curriculum needs to develop attributes of engineering graduates for success in 21st century industry relevance of changes in USA to Sri Lanka.

Abstract

This is an exciting and challenging time for Mechanical Engineers worldwide. With the locus of challenging jobs shifting from Government controlled corporations to entrepreneurial firms with global reach, continuing scientific advances and technological innovation, rapid shifts and expansion in critical technologies, and the infusion of computer and information technology into professional engineering has come a need for a new kind of graduate. This new kind of engineering graduate should not only have a sound fundamental knowledge of traditional and evolving areas of Engineering, but be able to adopt to the rapid changes in technology, and have a new skill set referred to as “softer skills" associated with communication, teamwork, and leadership, to be successful in Industry in the 21st Century. In this paper, we share our experiences working in different parts of the world and for leading global companies in the forefront of technology and business, and emphasize on the additional “softer skills" which are essential for success of our graduates in the 21st century industry. The Accreditation Board for Engineering Technology (ABET) is recognized in the United States as the sole agency responsible for accreditation of educational programs leading to degrees in engineering. In recognizing the new demands by the world’s industry from a 21st century engineering graduate, ABET has adopted a new standard for engineering program accreditation from 2001, referred to as “Engineering Criteria 2000". Engineering Criteria 2000t maintains the traditional of engineering, math, and science requirements, but also places importance of a new skill set that includes teamwork as well as global, economic, social, and environmental awareness. Mechanical Engineering programs across the United States are adapting by revised curriculum’s to meet these new demands by the world's industry on mechanical engineering graduates, by embedding JETT m ^ crculum- We wil1 survey published literature outlining these curriculum changes, and will examine core such skill the relevance of such changes to Sri Lanka, and present our opinion for curriculum and program needs to continue producing world class mechanical engineering graduates from University of Moratuwa in years to come.