The University of Wollongong has welcomed the release of the Engineering 2035 report.
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Interim Executive Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences Senior Professor Gursel Alici said UOW was well placed to respond to its findings thanks to its track record of collaboration with industry to help prepare students for the workplaces of the future.
The Australian Council of Engineering Deans (ACED) commissioned Engineering 2035 to consider the changing nature of professional engineering practice and the implications for engineering education in Australia.
"The recommendations in the ACED report are a reflection of what the future of engineering education in Australia looks like," Professor Alici said.
"UOW is constantly adapting and improving its engineering curriculum to meet the future needs of the profession."
The Engineering 2035 report notes that before the pandemic hit the university sector, the growth areas in engineering were in international enrolments, predominantly in postgraduate programs. Domestic enrolments have remained static for the past five years.
In 2019 about 122,000 engineering students were enrolled in 35 public universities offering engineering programs in Australia. Some 50,000 of those were studying professional engineering degrees.
The report finds that Australia needs to ensure that it produces sufficient engineering graduates to meet the needs of the nation without being overly reliant on skilled migration.
It also recommends placing greater emphasis on practical aspects of the degree and attracting more women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to the profession.
UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Theo Farrell said the university's vision is to produce life-ready graduates with the skills, knowledge and attributes to meet the future workforce and societal needs.
"UOW is well aligned with the recommendations of ACED report and prepared for the future employer expectations.
"Engineering and technological innovation are important drivers of economic and social progress, improving our lives and bringing ideas into reality," Professor Farrell said.
"Our engineering curriculum has done remarkably well and has produced world class engineers who are helping to build a better society.
"UOW is focused on catering to the education needs of our communities and investing in the next generation of leaders and change-makers in all walks of life."
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Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
