Panels
Panel 1: Paradigm Shift in Engineering Education: Cultivating Future Engineers for Strategic Sectors Through Innovative Approaches
Panel Moderators: Prof. Dr. Kürşat Çağıltay, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tunçer Baykaş
Today, there is a growing mismatch between engineering education and the needs of industry, particularly in strategic sectors such as defense, aerospace, automotive, energy, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing. Rapid technological advancements require engineers who are not only technically proficient but also capable of solving complex problems, thinking analytically with data, understanding system-level interactions, and working across disciplines.
In this panel, we will discuss the limitations of traditional approaches to engineering education and explore alternative models. In particular, we will examine a new educational paradigm through the lens of Learning Engineering. Learning Engineering provides a comprehensive framework that applies engineering principles to education, emphasizing data-driven decision-making, design-oriented processes, and continuous improvement.
The panel will address the following questions:
- What kind of engineering profile is needed for the defense industry and other strategic sectors?
- Why does current engineering education fail to meet these needs?
- Can the Learning Engineering approach effectively transform engineering education?
- How can simulations, digital twins, data analytics, and AI-supported learning environments be leveraged in this transformation?
- How should university–industry collaboration be restructured?
The panel aims to bring together stakeholders from academia, the defense industry, and various high-tech sectors to develop concrete and actionable recommendations for the future of engineering education.
