Whither management studies in Australian engineering undergraduate courses

In response to a perceived need for management studies in engineering<br />undergraduate courses, the Institution of Engineers, Australia (IEAust)<br />mandated a requirement for 10% of course content to be management<br />studies in Australia in 1991. In 1996 a major review of engineering<br />education in Australia recommended that the IEAust move from a course<br />accreditation regime based on prescribed inputs to one based on<br />demonstrated graduate attributes. In the move to the new accreditation<br />system the policy on management studies in engineering undergraduate<br />courses has become less definitive and more open to interpretation by<br />individual educational institutions. A survey of recent engineering<br />graduates suggests that those management skills most highly valued by<br />graduates were generic professional practice skills, and that more<br />opportunities to develop these skills in undergraduate studies would be<br />beneficial. Survey respondents suggested the inclusion in the course of<br />more real world examples of engineering management, including case<br />studies, hands-on activities, industry visits, more in-depth coverage of<br />topics, and presentations from practicing professionals.<br />