1. King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Engineering Education: Challenges, Opportunities, and Potential Areas for GCC Cooperation
Dr. Khaled S. Al-Sultan
Rector,
King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals
Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

2. Outline Historical Overview of Engineering Education
The Future of Engineering Education: Challenges and Opportunities
Engineering Education in KSA
KFUPM and Current Trends in Engineering Education
Opportunities for cooperation within GCC
Concluding Remarks

3. History of Engineering Education
From prehistoric times, engineers have always led humanity for a better life.
Till 1800s, engineering education was learned by apprenticeship (emphasis on hands-on experience).
After 1800s, universities and colleges in Europe and US, started granting formal engineering degrees.

4. History of Engineering Education (cont…)
In 1870, there were 17 universities teaching engineering in the US, growing to 110 schools in 1890.
During same period, only 10% of practicing engineers were college graduates.
End of 1800s, professional engineering societies started to flourish
Early 1900s, laws governing licensing & certifications are introduced

5. History of Engineering Education (cont…)
In 1932, ABET established: The beginning of an era of accreditation.
, focus on engineering sciences, analysis, faculty expected to carry research
After now, focus on teamwork, communications, integration, design, continuous improvement, while maintaining analytical skills.

6. Features of Traditional Engineering Education
More focused on abstract themes
Instructor centered learning
Depth in specialized fields
Very little use of computers, Multimedia, Internet
More focused on individual efforts

7. The Reality! Current Weaknesses in Today’s Eng. Graduates
Weakness in understanding manufacturing processes
Mostly analysts in specific areas
Narrow view of engineering
No understanding of quality process
Weak communication skills
Lack of design capabilities
Weak teamwork & project management skills

8. Forces Pushing for Change
Companies employing engineering graduates
Accreditation boards (such as ABET)
Globalization of economy
Engineering professional societies
Advisory boards

9. Future Technological Challenges of the 21st Century
Main Features
Information: Proliferation
Tech. development: Multidisciplinary
Markets: Globalized
Environment: Endangered
Social responsibility: Engineering
Corporate structure: Participatory
Change: Rapid!

10. 21st Century Engineering Skills Essential for Competitive Graduates:
The Ideal!
21st Century Engineering Skills Essential
for Competitive Graduates:
Strong technical capability
Skills in communication and persuasion
Ability to lead and work effectively as a member of a team
Understanding of the non-technical forces that profoundly influence engineering decisions
Commitment to lifelong learning
Skills in design and project management
Multidisciplinary

11. Quality Control for Engineering Programs
Educational quality control is the cornerstone for successful engineering program
Such quality control takes place through accreditation
Accreditation reflects a professional judgment that certain students are met
Acts as a benchmark for quality
Accreditation is usually voluntary and conducted by peers

12. Main Features of Successful Engineering Education Programs for the Next Decade
Students
Faculty
Infrastructure

13. Students
Attract the best students in physical & mathematical sciences with leadership potential
Educate & motivate engineering students to be ready:
to implement new technology
to focus on innovation
to understand global trends

14. Faculty Select faculty with top engineering background
Select faculty with excellent potential in carrying innovative research and providing leadership with a global look
Select faculty committed to a dynamic teaching environment
Provide faculty with opportunities for self development
Facilitate cooperation with industry & the society at large

15. Infrastructure & Support
Conducive environment that encourages high levels of productivity
Up to date facilities of international standards
Adopt flexible and clear rules and regulations

16. Engineering Education
in the GCC

17. Engineering Programs
First Engineering Colleges established in early 1960s
Initially, 10 universities offered engineering programs
By 2005, more than 30 colleges/universities offered engineering programs
There is an increase in the number of private colleges/universities
New alliances with overseas universities were formed.
Still, Number of engineering students per capita is still very low compared to developed countries
Country
No. Eng. St.
(2005)
KSA
14,000
Qatar
1,000
Kuwait
2,500
Bahrain
1,800
UAE
3,800
Oman
1,600

18. First university degrees, by region: 1997 and 2002

19. NS&E degrees per 100 24-year-olds, by country: Most recent year

20. NS&E degrees per 100 24-year-olds, by country: Most recent year

21. Engineering Programs in Saudi Arabia
In 1962, First Engineering College established
Currently, 13 colleges/universities offer Engineering degrees
Some Engineering programs have attained ABET substantial equivalency
Several universities established MS/PhD programs

22. Higher Education in KSA (2004/2005)
Total Number of Bachelor Students: 481,042
Total Number of Engineering Students: 13,071
Total Number of MS Students: 7,843
Total Number of PhD Students: 1,806
China aims at graduating 1 MILLION engineers a year.

23. Number of Engineers in KSA
Sector
Saudis
Expatriates
Grand Total
Number %
Public
5777 76
1856 24
7633
Private
16028 16
83052 84
99080
Total
21805
20.4
84908
79.6
106713

24. Number of Engineers in KSA (cont.)
Number of Engineers for every 100,000 currently 486 including expatriate
Number of Saudi Engineers for every 100,000 currently 120
Compared to some neighboring countries, there is a need for an additional 100,000 engineers in the Kingdom

25. KFUPM and Current Trends in Engineering Education
KFUPM prides itself to be the most prominent engineering university in the region
Number of students in engineering:
Year
Students
1963 65
1990
2489
2000
4102
2005
4055

26. Focus Tracks in Engineering Education at KFUPM
Communication skills
Online education (use of Internet)
Innovation
Partnership with Industry

27. KFUPM Implementation Plans
Students
Faculty
Industrial Technology

28. Student Development Programs
Personal
Skills
Program
Academic
Improvement
Program
Gifted
Students
Program

29. Personal Skills Program
Developing students skills
that is needed by job market
Voluntary
Community
services
Special events short courses, workshops
International Computer
Driving License, ICDL
Academic
Programs

30. Faculty Development Programs
Establishment of Deanship of Academic Development
Junior faculty programs
Encouraging Use of Technology in Teaching
Promoting Excellence in Research
Summer professional development programs with industry
Involvement of practicing engineers from industry in teaching
Support of faculty in organizing international conferences and workshops

31. Junior Faculty Development Program
Activities
Teaching
Research
International, national and KFUPM
workshops and conferences
Peer consultation
Course coordination assignment
Technical and learning grants
Mentoring
Teaching exchange program
Certification program
Research Workshops (DAD)
Mentoring
Junior faculty grant
Industrial Experience
Summer Assignment
32-Faculty members joined the program in 2005

32. Research Achievements
Research Projects Approved*
(*) KFUPM attracts the largest number of KACST engineering research projects in the Kingdom

33. Research Outcomes*
Srl. #
Description
02-03
03-04 1
Publication in referred journals reported
784
846 2
Publication in conference proceedings reported
318
356 3
Books published and contributed 24 27
* KFUPM is the only university in the region included in the top 100 engineering institutions worldwide (ISI-web of knowledge, December 2005)

34. Instructional Technology
Web-based courses
Online courses
E-learning
Distance learning

35. A. Web-based Course Development
B. Online Course Development: 30 Courses

36. Other Initiatives to Strengthen Engineering Education at KFUPM
Strengthening partnership with industry by establishing chair positions
Improving coop programs for applied sciences with major industry partners
Enhancing profile of annual career day
The “wireless campus” initiative
The “laptop for every student” initiative
Enhancing campus network to facilitate on-line teaching.

37. Initiatives Along ABET Requirements
Establishment of industrial advisory boards
Establishment of regular self-assessment programs
Enhancement of the design & communication skill components in engineering programs

38. Initiatives in Promoting
GCC Cooperation
Simplified regulations for business and trade
Unified Customs tariffs and Currency
Cooperation within the electricity sector (connection grid, standards, etc..)
Stronger cooperation among educational institutions & professional societies

39. Opportunities for Cooperation in Engineering Education
Institution level
Faculty level
Student level

40. Cooperation in Engineering Education (Institution)
Formal coordination among engineering colleges (eg. Gulf Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)
Standard entrance exams
Linkage of IT resources (eg. Libraries)
Cooperation in distance learning
Unified engineering certification process
Joint organization of conferences /workshops

41. Cooperation in Engineering Education (Faculty)
Faculty exchange programs
(within industry and universities)
Joint research programs
Cooperation in short courses delivery
Joint faculty development programs

42. Cooperation in Engineering Education (Students)
Student exchange programs
Flexible student transfer among GCC institutions
Extra curricular activities
Student chapters of professional societies

43. Concluding Remarks
To cope with the rapid technology advances, it is imperative to develop aggressive plans and programs to meet the challenges of the 21st century
The future of engineering in the region is at stake: our programs need to be formulated to graduate engineers able to take a leading role in the community.