It's not what you do,it's why you do it that makes the difference between engineering and science: The strategy and structure of process engineering in the United States

Abstract

Abstract

The dramatic changes to academic process engineering by the UK's largest competitor, the USA, has led them to be stronger, more successful and more vibrant. It is advocated here that unless the UK also makes appropriate changes, it will not survive in the global process engineering marketplace.

This paper reports on some of the conclusions of a study carried out last year by a group of young academics who visited the USA in late 1998. The report's findings have significance beyond chemical process engineering and touch all areas of engineering research in the UK (and further afield). It is concluded that universities must change the way that they develop the careers of younger staff, train students (under- and postgraduate) and promote collaboration between the different pure sciences and engineering. In addition, ideas are presented for both the Funding Councils and industry for ways in which they might change to meet the challenges just around the corner.