Re-imagining engineering education to enhance student learning
For Doug Barber, it is important to rethink engineering education for the 21st century.
The philanthropist and former lecturer in the Faculty of Engineering says he believes students of today have been indoctrinated with the idea that problems can only be solved through logic and reason. But often, the key to success is communication and business acumen, he says.
“Has science damaged Canada?” asks Barber, the former CEO of Gennum Corp. and Distinguished Professor in Residence at McMaster, recalling a presentation he was invited to give at the university two years ago.
“Knowledge should never be the only key output. It simply isn’t enough to learn basic research in an institution these days.”
This is the underlying motivation behind Barber’s collaboration with McMaster’s Faculty of Engineering on the new Building Thinkers initiative, a suite of programs intended to re-imagine engineering education to educate the “whole engineer” – believing that engineering education needs to help students develop a comprehensive tool kit which includes not just technical skills, but such things as emotional intelligence, social awareness, and appreciation of diversity, including diversity of thought and opinion.
One new program is Innovation and Society, a living and learning residence community for first-year engineering students that promises to complement the engineering technical education with exposure to other academic disciplines and ways of thinking, while providing opportunities for students to develop skills in communication, team building, and leadership.
“The Building Thinkers program is testament to McMaster Engineering’s commitment to enhancing the student experience and inspiring the next generation of engaged citizen scholars who will help create a prosperous and sustainable world,” said Ishwar K. Puri, McMaster’s Dean of Engineering. “I’d like to thank Doug Barber for his great vision and continued support of our Faculty.”
Barber, who has donated funds to the initiative, hopes the Building Thinkers program hopes that the new Building Thinkers community will shape engineers that are not just technically accomplished, but ones who are also creative, inquisitive and strong communicators.
Recognizing that the global challenges require interdisciplinary problem-solving approaches, it is Barber’s hope that the new Building Thinkers community will shape engineers that are not just technically accomplished, but ones who are also creative, inquisitive and strong communicators.
“Beyond research, our students also have to know how to interpret and create value for different parties. In order to do this, they must understand the plethora of cultures, personalities, and world views that exist in the marketplace.”
Barber stresses that an engineer equipped with only technical aptitude cannot partake in the commercial exchange of knowledge.
“Human culture is important in the value exchange; when you understand the nuances of culture, you can begin to understand how to create value for other cultures.”
Barber said he hopes the Building Thinkers program shapes future engineers who are confident and knowledgeable about how to live in a human and not just a technological world.
“After all, as our engineers will be called to solve problems that have yet to be imagined, one particular Oscar Wilde quote stands out most to me: ‘Education is an admirable thing. But it is well to remember from time to time that nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.’ ”
