Social Aspects of Engineering Education

Engineering contributes creative solutions to society’s problems. Few people are aware that engineers change the world. The interaction of social aspects and engineering education is indisputable. While engineering research has concentrated on the science of engineering, social and work aspects have generally been put on the back burner.

Engineering must be able to engage the great challenges that our planet faces: environment, energy, medical care, information management, poverty alleviation, etc. These challenges must be solved by people who work collaboratively, overcoming distances and schedules.

Teachers need to work hand in hand with students, and not stand behind them. They need to understand the best way to use technology and change traditional ways of teaching, taking more practical and up-to-date approaches.

The principles that have guided the development of the Social Aspects of Engineering Education track include promoting STEM vocation among the young, especially among girls; the education of primary and secondary school teachers; promoting computational thinking at pre-university levels; and social justice, equity, diversity and transparency (the gender perspective, the needs of the most vulnerable, strategies against corruption…).