Talks and Workshops

Profound changes in engineering education (EE) are required in both the developed and the developing world in light of the magnitude of global environmental change, the role of technology and design in shaping such change, and the importance of aligning human behavior with biospheric constraints to achieve sustainable societies. Technological and applied science students must: be informed of the disproportionate impacts of engineering and applied science with regard to global change; be clear on the role of consumption and population in this regard; be aware of the differential needs of developing nations facing poverty versus the demands of wealthy developed nations; and, understand the ethical responsibilities of the engineering profession. To better prepare engineers adequately for their roles as responsible professionals to understand the place of engineering in devising solutions and strategies to further sustainability for everyone while enhancing the quality of life for the majority of the world's people requires EE to integrate technological and technical studies with the humanities and social sciences. In addition, EE should include options, if not a requirement, for service learning in which students can work with local communities to arrive at appropriate solutions to problems which further sustainability while reducing poverty.