Evaluation of the Palestinian Industrial Needs for Fields and Curricula of Academic Engineering Programs
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Abstract
Abstract
This study evaluates the level of coordination between academic and industrial sectors in Palestine. It explores the development prospective for future studies. It is based on a field survey among the stakeholders from industrial sector including business owners and engineers, and from academic sector including the academicians and students. It utilizes research tools of questionnaire and interview.
The industrial need for various fields and curricula of academic engineering programs in are explored. The study reveals that there are industrial sectors that do no employ engineers, like leather and shoes industry. Others employ little number of engineers, e.g. stone cutting industry, although a real needs do exist. Survey indicators highlight that there is a low level of convincement among industrial institutions for the need of the various engineering programs. This is attributed to the fact that the fields and types of technical needs are not crystallized among industry stakeholders.
The survey highlights that the analytical and design skills are still the basis of the current engineering programs and curricula. However, there is clear industrial need for multi-skilled engineers. The study reveals that there are deficiencies in the contents of the engineering programs, that need development and improvement. In particular, there are needs to improve the technical scientific knowledge, updated technologies, operational and manual capabilities, quality control, and management and communications skills, as well as career codes and responsibilities and foreign language.
The field survey indicates that the students are not aware of the expected industrial requirements. They do not gain sufficient skills and capabilities for their enrollment in the industry. This emphasizes that the current academic programs do not meet the industrial needs.
Key Words: Engineering Programs, Industry, Curricula, Universities, Engineering Quality Education, Academic Industrial Cooperation.
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