Engineers: Going Global

Abstract

This article demonstrates the need for engineering courses in UK higher education to give a higher priority to global and sustainability issues. In support of this case, the author summarizes and assesses evidence from a recently-concluded study by the Institute of Education, University of London, and Engineers Against Poverty, a specialist international development non-governmental organization working in the field of engineering and international development. It is argued that engineering does and can play a major role in combating global poverty, and that higher education needs to prepare engineers for these challenges. Tim Feest, Executive Director of the UK's Occupational Standards Council for Engineering, considers the report of the study and the effect its recommendations, if implemented, would have on engineering undergraduate curriculum content in UK higher education institutions.