Uncovering the facts about future global engineering

Underlying concept

Technological innovation is a key driving force in every national economy worldwide. To steal a march on its core competitors, every economy needs innovative instruments to research, develop and train the next generation of engineers. So, to support this process, Continental has joined forces with eight leading international universities to launch the Global Engineering Excellence initiative.

Mission statement

At Continental we don’t just learn about state-of-the-art technology. We don’t just develop it. It’s our passion. Our very lifeblood. As a leading international supplier to the high-tech automotive industry, Continental has always played an active role in promoting the development of world-class engineers. Hand in hand with the academic establishment, we have helped effect educational reform and shape the training of the next generation of engineers. And it is this ongoing commitment that compelled us to join a comprehensive Engineering Excellence initiative, in close cooperation with eight highly renowned international universities, spanning no fewer than four continents.

Continental is also passionate about partnership with universities and leading institutions of education. This is why we’re honoured to take part in this initiative – as part of our responsibility to business and the international community. It’s the fundamental reason for our commitment to the "Global Engineering Study".

The path to global excellence.

The primary objective of the initiative for Global Engineering Excellence is to add weight to the increasingly important role played by engineering sciences in the global economy. Industry as a whole needs highly educated engineers to safeguard technology leadership and future innovations. By participating in this international study, universities will gain – and provide – an immediate insight into engineering practice worldwide, culminating in the presentation of findings at a global information platform in November 2006. Based on thorough scientific research, the study is expected to uncover the fundamental facts about the world of engineering education, careers and the types of candidates entering professional engineering. The research data and findings will subsequently enjoy wide-scale distribution. Participating universities will give a detailed outline of international trends and engineering training developments.

Ultimately, engineering excellence will be pivotal to global economic growth, so every industry needs engineers equipped to achieve top results, to function as primary catalysts of entrepreneurship and outstanding cultural achievement. So it goes without saying that this study will go beyond the boundaries of the automotive sector to look at all engineering sciences, irrespective of branch or industry.

The design of the study.

Now, more than ever, companies need actively to support young and aspiring engineers to keep global business activities profitable. To sharpen public and professional perception of needs, we have to recognise engineering profiles and careers, and invest in general image-building – worldwide.

Global in scope, the study will analyse the growing impact of "Global Engineering" on today’s markets, while providing basic and scientific data on engineering education, careers and professional engineering profiles. Specifically, it will address the global nature of engineering today and emerging trends in engineering educa-tion, including successful approaches to internationalisation. The study also aims to pinpoint how universities, industries and government can cooperate more productively in preparing more engineers for the modern-day global marketplace.

Issued biannually, the first global engineering study has been published by the initiative for Global Engineering Excellence in November 2006.

Themes

Uncovering the facts about future global engineering

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