BATANGAS CITY – On May 8, Batangas State University, The National Engineering University (BatStateU The NEU) launched the Philippines’ National Engineering Education Development (NEED) Program, marking a transformative step forward in the advancement of engineering education in the Philippines. Positioned to significantly contribute to the development of highly skilled engineers and professionals who will drive the nation’s progress and prosperity, the NEED Program was officially introduced at the International Conference on Innovations in Engineering Education (ICIEE) 2024.
Propelled by the Center for Innovation in Engineering Education (CIEE), the NEED Program is designed to achieve several outcomes by 2027. These include providing an understanding of the landscape of Philippine Engineering Education, advancing towards a truly Outcomes-Based Engineering Education, supporting the elevation of national accreditation standards, redefining the curricula that meets industry demands, and building sustainable local and global academe-industry networks.
Correlated with this, the NEED program aims to comprehensively enhance engineering education in the Philippines by focusing on six essential components. Initially, it profiles the landscape of engineering education, assessing and refining elements such as curriculum, delivery systems, infrastructure, employability, and industry linkages. It also strengthens outcomes-based engineering education nationwide, offering extensive training for deans and chairs on outcomes-based teaching, learning, and assessment (OB-TLA), curriculum mapping, integration strategies, the CDIO Framework, and engineering education for sustainable development (EESD). Further, it accelerates engineering program accreditation, enhancing participation and compliance among Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) with improved local accreditation standards, mentoring deans and chairs in ABET criteria through the Professional Regulation Commission (PTC), and organizing the National Conference on Quality Assurance in Engineering Education. Moreover, it also re-engineers the curriculum by developing industry-aligned courses through collaborative efforts involving government, universities, and industry. Another critical aim is to boost faculty excellence, enhancing their expertise to elevate Philippine HEIs as global centers of engineering education and research excellence. Lastly, the program enhances engineering research collaboration, increasing research visibility, fostering global engagement, and enhancing scholarly impact.
Set under the theme “Innovating Engineering Education for Sustainable Futures: Leadership, Sustainability, and Global Synergy,” the ICIEE 2024 was poised to transform engineering education. This event featured innovative hybrid and experiential learning sessions that expanded the boundaries of educational strategies and integrated emerging technologies. Discussions delved into the latest trends and methodologies, making ICIEE 2024 an essential platform for advancing engineering education to adeptly respond to contemporary global challenges.
“Let this conference serve not only as a platform for discussion but as a catalyst for substantial and sustainable change in the way we educate our future engineers. Together, let us enhance our curricula, strengthen our teaching methodologies, and forge partnerships that extend beyond our local frameworks to achieve a global impact”, remarked University President Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo in his welcome message, emphasizing the importance of collective action to elevate the engineering education in the Philippines.
Characterized by insightful discussions and expert perspectives, the conference unfolded with a compelling keynote from Em. Prof. Elizabeth Taylor, the Chair of Governing Group and Deputy Chair of Sydney Accord. She highlighted the vital role of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA) in advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through the strategic use of the IEA Graduate Attributes and Professional Competencies (GAPC) Framework. This set the stage for a series of enriching discussions led by experts, showcasing the transformative capabilities of engineering education.
Additionally, the event included a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) Signing Ceremony between BatStateU The NEU, and Taylor’s University, Malaysia’s top private university based on the QS World University Ranking 2021. The MoU intends to foster research partnerships, facilitate student and faculty exchanges, promote academic collaboration, offer joint supervision for postgraduate students, and support the establishment and publication of CIEE’s engineering education journal. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abdulkareem Sh. Mahdi Al-Obaidi represented Taylor’s University at the ceremony.
In the engaging panel discussion “Positioning the Philippines in the Global Engineering Education Landscape,” moderated by Dr. Tirso A. Ronquillo, distinguished experts delivered impactful reflections. Dr. Ramiro Jordan P.E., Vice President for Resource Generation at the International Federation of Engineering Education Societies (IFEES), provided a comprehensive global perspective via virtual participation. Meanwhile, Dr. Reynaldo B. Vea, Past President of Mapúa University, Chairman and CEO of iPeople, Inc., and Engr. Federico A. Monsada, President of the Philippine Technological Council (PTC), shared their invaluable expertise and experiences. Their contributions deepened the conversation with actionable insights and forward-thinking strategies, emphasizing the Philippines’ evolving role in international engineering education.
Participated by engineering education leaders from various schools across the country, the conference will be until May 10, 2024, offering a rich program of plenary talks, panel discussions, and interactive workshops from Filipino engineering leaders and global thought leaders and pioneers from the International Engineering Alliance, World Federation of Engineering Organizations, International Federation of Engineering Education Societies, American Society of Engineering Education, Australasian Association of Engineering Education, Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology, and conference partners the University of Teknologi Malaysia, Taylors University, and Singapore Polytechnic.
For more information about the ICIEE 2024: https://batstateu.edu.ph/ciee/iciee-2024/
Batangas State University is the Philippines’ National Engineering University by virtue of Republic Act No. 11694; renowned for its engineering education excellence, this Level-IV state university has produced over 180 engineering board topnotchers, cementing its position as the country’s largest engineering university. Notably, BatStateU is the first state university with engineering programs accredited by the Philippine Technological Council through its Accreditation and Certification Board for Engineering and Technology (PTC-ACBET), and the first and, thus far, the only state university in the Philippines with engineering and computing programs accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Engineering Accreditation Commission and Computing Accreditation Commission. Batangas State University. (BatStateU) has earned three stars in the QS Stars Rating. Furthermore, it was ranked as the 300th World’s Most Sustainable University in the 2023 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings and is also recognized as the 90th most innovative University globally in the prestigious World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2023 and secured a notable ranking between 601st-800th among 1,591 universities from 112 countries/regions in the THE Impact Rankings 2023.
