Improving Skills by Engaging in Student Organizations (A Case Study on Engineers Without Borders)

Abstract

The attributes of 21st century engineers are a culmination of skills from different domains including both technical and non-technical skills, ranging from core skills, teamwork, communication, lifelong learning, problem-solving, etc. These skills together are known as the four-dimension model of the 21st century engineer. While the core skills by default are nourished throughout the graduation program, we need to find ways to induce the rest of the non-technical skills. This paper discusses one such approach by highlighting how student bodies/chapters such as ‘Engineers Without Borders’ helps one grow themselves. The study was conducted on students at the Hyderabad Institute of Technology and management of different years. Evaluating them before and after they engaged with engineers without borders student chapter based on metrics quantifying their communications skills, problem-solving skills, teamwork, leadership skills, etc. At the end of the study, the performance of students was improved for most of the students. As such when students are involved in such activities, they were better equipped with skills at the time of graduation giving them an edge over others. Therefore, it is paramount that such activities exist and more importantly encourage students to get involved.