Challenges and Opportunities to Address the Crisis in Core Engineering Education

Abstract

In recent years, several crucial engineering fields, such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering, have experienced a decline. This decline can be attributed to intensified global competition, particularly from countries with burgeoning engineering sectors. This situation raises concerns about the future availability of skilled engineers across various industries. Simultaneously, professions like computer science and data science are increasingly viewed as more lucrative and promising, enticing students away from traditional engineering paths. To address these challenges, government intervention is imperative. Measures should include enhancing the image and attractiveness of core engineering disciplines, promoting diversity and inclusion, and aligning curricula with evolving industry demands. The rapid pace of technological advancement has given rise to new interdisciplinary fields and specialties, further diverting students from traditional engineering subjects. This poses a challenge in maintaining the relevance and appeal of foundational engineering disciplines. This paper aims to analyze admission and placement data in core engineering versus computer science departments to shed light on these trends.