American Society for Engineering Education

Activities

Global Engineering Deans Council

Currently, engineering education addresses the diverse engineering manpower and innovation needs of the global economy with large and small institutions with different missions and visions. As the global pressure for engineering solutions to growing issues continue to increase, however, engineering educators must better prepare engineers for new challenges. Stakeholders are increasingly expecting engineering colleges to be leaders in innovation, and to provide solutions to society’s challenges. In a global, knowledge-driven economy, technology innovation is critical to competitiveness, long-term productivity growth, and the generation of wealth. Major changes will be necessary in engineering education, research, and practice to prepare engineers for a rapidly changing world.

The GEDC is timely and critical avenue for engineering deans to learn about engineering education on a global scale. This initiative will provide world-wide forum for exchange of information, experience, challenges, and best practices in engineering education leadership. Through such exchanges, the GEDC will provide a means for engineering deans to partner in innovation, collaborate with industry and other stakeholders, and build a network that will support engineering deans’ leadership role in developing regional and national policies to advance the global economy.

The Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) is a key initiative of the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES). IFEES formed the GEDC at the IFEES Global Summit on September 30, 2007 in Istanbul, Turkey.

The GEDC held its first Executive Committee meeting on May 8 and 9, 2008 in Paris, France. The Executive Committee is made up of deans, rectors and directors of internationally recognized engineering schools.

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Vision

To enhance the capabilities of engineering deans to transform schools in support of societies in a global economy

Mission
To serve as a global network of engineering deans, and to leverage on the collective strengths, for the advancement of engineering education and research.

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In 2010, members of the GEDC developed a strategic plan, identifying four main objectives:

1. Institutional Leadership: To provide a world-wide forum for exchanging information, discussing experiences and challenges, and sharing best practices in leading an engineering school.
2. Curriculum Leadership: To provide a means for engineering deans to partner with one another in curriculum development and innovation, and to collaborate with industry and other stakeholders.
3. Policy Leadership: To build a network that would support engineering deans to play a leadership role in the development of regional, national and international policies to advance societies.
4. Accreditation Leadership: To actively participate in the development and maintenance of a global system of quality standards for engineering education.

 

For more information on the GEDC, please visit the website at www.gedcouncil.org.

Contact

Hans Jürgen Hoyer, Ph.D.
Executive Secretary, Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC)
(202) 331-3511

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