CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 1 Engendering social capital through collaboration in engineering education Vojislav Ilic University of Western Sydney, Australia Katherine Curic TAFE NSW – SW Sydney Institute, Australia Brian Mulvey TAFE NSW – SW Sydney Institute, Australia

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 2 Scope aim introduction social capital development – an australian scenario new directions conclusion

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 3 aim examine the role of social capital through collaboration in ee in an australian context

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 4 introduction social capital – values gained from social interaction scope broadening –from parochial, national, international to global accreditation pressures – towards uniformity to minimal standards of value to global community ineer – a sterling example

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 5 social capital development – an australian scenario vet institutions & university partners building inclusive and cohesive communities tafe & universities complementary roles in supply of skilled workforce active industry interaction often lacking skilled shortage respond well to local partnerships social capital especially vital for small firms education and the role of government

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 6 new directions knowledge based society australian technical college initiative – funded by government – guided by industry alone rationalisation prompting multi- structured academic offerings (eg. mechatronics) affects large sectors of society through creation of social capital

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland 7 conclusion social capital generation – barometer of wealth of a nation educational institutions one of major players for it all to succeed – in australian context at leaset – political good will is essential