At TU Delft a ‘ Free Spirits Think Tank’ set up by 4TU.CEE, explored whether current Master programmes are future proof. The Think Tank, comprised of 14 TU Delft staff members with various backgrounds, found that action is needed and came up with concepts that need to be considered when designing future engineering education programmes.
Over the course of five workshops while using the creative method ‘Design Thinking’, the members were challenged to think out-of-the-box and re-evaluate what qualities engineering students need in 2030 to be prepared for 21st Century challenges. According to the Think Tank members three concepts need to be considered when designing futureproof education programmes:
1) Specific profiles for engineers, of which 4 were identified: the specialist; the system integrator; the front-end innovator; and the contextual engineer.
2) Hubs, flexible engineering research and interdisciplinary learning spaces on ‘ hot topics’.
3) Common engineering languages to achieve effective teamwork.
A Think Tank flyer which summarises the outcomes of the workshops is now available online.