Roberto S. Murphy Arteaga Instituto Nacional de Astrofísica, Óptica y Electrónica Overhauling Engineering Education in Latin America

Collaborators: Ramiro Jordán, UNM Wilfrido Moreno, USF Dulce García, ISTEC Fernando Guarín, IBM Álvaro Maury, SilTerra Pankaj Gadani, SilTerra

Outline  Engineering education: Current Situation  Challenges  Proposals  ISTEC  Conclusions

Current Situation: o The number of students enrolled in engineering programs has not changed significantly in the last few decades. o Those who are enrolled in Latin American universities are at a disadvantage compared to those in Europe or the US.

Deficiencies:  Outdated curricula.  Heterogeneous curricula.  Limited mobility.  Uni-disciplinary approach.  Team work is not encouraged.

Deficiencies:  Proyect-Learning methods are ignored.  Insipient innovation.  Null entrepreneurship  The “Brain Drain” is still a factor affecting the region.

Deficiencies:  There is not enough relation with industry.  There are limited “high technology” enterprises in the region.  The competences being learned by students do not allow them to compete against other regions.

Proposals Updating curricula. Standardizing criteria. Fostering entrepreneurship. Involving industry.

Updating Curricula: A Project Learning approach. Multidisciplinary. Team work. Research stays in industry.

Standarizing Criteria: Engineers with the same competences regardless of country of origin (Engineer of the Americas). Internationally recognized programs.

Fostering Entrepreneurship: Developing innovation and creativity. Scientific research from early stages on. Creating opportunities to establish enterprises.

Involving Industry: Participation in curricula planning. Joint research projects. Long-term research stays.

What do we want to achieve? Highly prepared engineers and researchers regardless of country. Solution to the region’s problems, notwithstanding social, cultural and political borders.

What do we want to achieve? More dynamic mobility; students, teachers, in research centers, in the industry, across borders.

The creation of high- technology industries, with a philanthropy approach. The creation of value-added jobs so to slow-down the brain drain. What do we want to achieve?

How is this being done? Working with people for people in the region since 1990 to improve quality-of- life through education and use of technology.

Conclusions:  Engineering in Latin America has to be re-engineered.  With homogeneous curricula and uniform competences, mobility can be enhanced.  Fostering entrepreneurship to create value-added jobs.  Innovation and creativity to contribute to technological development, from Latin America to the world.

Thank you very much for your kind attention!