ENGINEERING FACULTIES OF KU LEUVEN HOST EUROPEAN CONVENTION OF ENGINEERING DEANS 2019

NIEUWS UIT DE FACULTEIT

From 26 till 28 May 2019 the deans, directors and departmentheads of the European Faculties in Engineering gathered in Leuven for their 11th annual networking event organized by the three engineering faculties of KU Leuven in collaboration with the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI). At Group T Campus, the higher engineering education leaders were welcomed by Prof. Bert Lauwers, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering Technology and Conference Chair.

The 2019 Engineering Deans Convention focused on university business cooperation in engineering institutes. The central theme was ‘crossing borders’. The main purpose was to discuss how and where both entities can meet and exchange ideas, knowledge and human capital. Multiple dimensions of this border concept were explored from the perspective of the students, the faculty staff, the business professionals and the curriculum.

From a student’s perspective, the border is often perceived as a unidirectional temporal barrier wherein industry employment is the logical capstone of the educational career. However, the border can also be considered as a hybrid constellation wherein faculty staff collaborate with business professionals who can in turn take an active role in the education of future engineers. Finally, from a curriculum perspective, parties on both sides of the border need to agree on the key and the peripheral content of the engineering curriculum. According to the deans, determining who is predominantly responsible for teaching specific and professional skills can only succeed in a meaningful dialogue between both parties.

Engaging programme

More than 80 participants enjoyed an engaging programme with interactive break-out sessions and inspiring key notes (Prof. Luc Sels-Rector KU Leuven; Prof. Todd Davey-Director University Industry Innovation Network; Prof. Laurent Champaney-President Paristech; Saskia Van Uffelen-Digital Champion Belgium). In a vivid panel discussion, professionally moderated by Prof. Tinne De Laet, university representatives (Prof. Laurent Champaney, Prof. Gerald Farnell, Prof. Jo Van Caneghem) and industrial entrepreneurs (Ivo Christiaens-HR VP Siemens Belgium) debated on how engineering education may benefit from an increased level of collaboration and co-creation between both partners.

Agreement

The Convention in Leuven created many opportunities for networking and sharing experiences. Existing informal contacts were confirmed or institutionalized in official agreements and partnerships. For the Faculty of Engineering Technology and the Sciences & Technology Group of KU Leuven, the Convention has resulted in the signing of three agreements on the exchange of students and staff with Lund University, a world top 100 university in Sweden.

Maarten Pinxten