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Innovative Leadership in Engineering Education

Ts. Dr. Iman Farshchi, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, MAHSA University

Ts. Dr. Iman Farshchi, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, MAHSA University

I began my Civil/Geotechnical Engineering career in 2001 and pursued my PhD at Politecnico di Milano, Italy, focusing on Soil-Foundation Interaction, under the supervision of Professors Claudi di Prisco, Andrea Galli, and Francesco Calvetti. My leadership experience includes programme administration, curriculum development, and Outcome-Based Education (OBE) training. I currently serve as the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment, and IT at MAHSA University, a role I have held since January 2020.

As one of the most creative fields, engineering requires an education system that compliments the exceptional ideas dominating the young trailblazers. Ts. Dr. Iman Farshchi examines the possibilities of a more inclusive learning program that prioritizes training individuals and teachers on real-life experiences. This article features quick and important pointers to commence the journey toward practical education.

Bridging pedagogy and outcome-based learning

Engineers are the creative problem-solvers behind groundbreaking projects, using math and science to transform ideas into reality. Their role is not only technical but also deeply creative, akin to artists. By balancing safety, cost, and environmental impact, engineers select the best solutions to meet human needs. This innovative mindset is critical to modern engineering practice.

Developing Engineers’ creative minds

To nurture creativity in engineering students, education must go beyond technical training. A structured approach helps students develop problem-solving skills:

1. Understanding the problem: Engineers assess the problem, considering cost, safety, and sustainability while balancing conflicting requirements.

2. Information gathering: Research identifies limitations in existing solutions, guiding future innovation.

3. Generating solutions: Group work and interdisciplinary collaboration foster creativity, building diverse ideas.

4. Analysis and selection: Evaluating solutions based on safety, cost, and environmental impact helps determine the best approach.

5. Implementation: Engineers apply project management and leadership skills to implement the selected solution.

This process refines students' ability to address complex challenges and prepares them for real-world applications.

The Role of Education in Shaping Engineers

Engineering education is essential in producing well-rounded professionals with technical and non-technical skills. Beyond knowledge, engineers need problem-solving abilities, teamwork, communication, leadership, and ethical responsibility.

Engineering programs worldwide emphasize designing systems that are economically feasible, sustainable and socially responsible, ensuring students meet the profession's evolving demands.

Outcome-based Education (OBE) in Engineering

Outcome-Based Education (OBE) focuses on the specific skills and knowledge students should achieve by the end of their program. Key stages include:

1. Planning: Define program outcomes aligned with institutional goals.

2. Curriculum Development: Align courses with learning outcomes to meet accreditation and industry standards.

3. Teaching Methods: Balance theory with practical applications through lectures, labs, and research.

4. Assessment: Use rubrics and evaluation tools to measure students' achievement of program outcomes.

5. Continued quality improvement: Regularly update the curriculum based on assessments and industry trends.

Learning domains and Bloom’s Taxonomy

Bloom’s Taxonomy helps guide engineering education by focusing on three key domains:

• Cognitive: Knowledge and critical thinking are developed through lectures and exams.

• Affective: Leadership and teamwork are fostered through group projects.

• Psychomotor: Practical skills, like creating and testing prototypes, are honed in labs and workshops.

These domains ensure students are well-prepared for professional challenges.

Engineering problems

Complex engineering problems often involve ethical considerations, societal impacts, and sustainability. Engineers must analyze situations with limited data, anticipate long-term consequences, and collaborate with professionals from various fields. Real-world challenges and case studies in education help students tackle these multifaceted problems.

Engineering programs worldwide emphasize designing systems that are economically feasible, sustainable and socially responsible, ensuring students meet the profession's evolving demands.

Case studies: Fostering real-world skills

Creativity Design Module:

Students work in interdisciplinary teams to develop objects using sustainable materials. This module enhances leadership, collaboration and creativity, with students presenting their designs to industry experts. By addressing real-world problems, students transition from academic work to professional practice.

Engineering, Science, and Technology Exhibition (ESTE

In ESTE, final-year students present their projects to industry professionals and peers. This event fosters confidence and allows students to receive feedback from experts, boosting both technical and soft skills. ESTE also serves as a stepping stone for career opportunities, with many students securing jobs.

In both cases, rubrics are used to measure key competencies, such as:

• Knowledge and attitude: Evaluating students' understanding of engineering fundamentals, sustainability, and social responsibility.

• Design depth: Assessing the ability to balance conflicting requirements like safety, cost, and environmental impact.

• Creativity and analysis: Judging students' capacity to generate novel solutions for complex problems.

• Collaboration: Evaluating teamwork and communication across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders.

Challenges and Opportunities in Engineering Education

The digital era presents both opportunities and challenges in engineering education:

1. Digital tools & virtual learning: AI, virtual reality (VR), and augmented reality (AR) enhance learning but should complement hands-on experiences. Engineers must still develop practical skills for real-world problem-solving.

2. Human touch in engineering: Technology must be balanced with ethical, societal, and environmental considerations. Engineers should use their technical skills empathetically, considering the human impact of their work

3. Critical thinking & creativity: As technology evolves, assessments must go beyond traditional exams, emphasizing real-world application and creativity.

OBE maximizing innovations ahead

Strategic leadership and OBE in engineering programs are vital for developing well-rounded engineers. By fostering creativity, collaboration and critical thinking, educational institutions can prepare students for the complex challenges of the modern world. Case studies and hands-on experiences bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring engineers not only excel technically but also make meaningful societal contributions.