In today’s world, where rapid innovation reshapes industries almost daily, the need for collaboration in engineering education has never been greater. As CEO of Quanser, I have the privilege of connecting with leaders worldwide who share a deep commitment to advancing engineering education. These conversations inspired Quanser Café, our podcast series that brings together global academic leaders to discuss both the challenges and the transformative opportunities facing our field.

The Origins of Quanser Café

Quanser Café emerged in response to the pandemic. With travel and in-person conferences halted, our team turned to virtual channels to keep in touch with colleagues globally. In these remote conversations, we realized that while the pandemic had disrupted education, it also accelerated digital transformation, pushing universities to adopt virtual tools they might not have otherwise explored. Our suite, for example, which enables virtual simulations and remote labs, gained traction as schools sought solutions to reach students online. As these tools became central to learning, we saw the chance to create a lasting resource for engineering educators to share insights and solutions.

Season 1: Navigating Unprecedented Challenges

In Season 1, Quanser Café centered on the immediate issues of transitioning to online education. The sudden shift highlighted the complexities of keeping students engaged and providing meaningful, hands-on experiences in a remote setting. Conversations focused on leveraging digital twins, remote labs, and simulations to replicate the in-person experience and ensure educational continuity. We explored how educators were creatively adapting, navigating new expectations, and finding innovative ways to keep students engaged and motivated during an unprecedented time in education. Catch up anything you might have missed from season 1.

Season 2: Preparing Students for a New World

With Season 2, we looked beyond survival to a future-focused approach that considers what students need to succeed in a post-pandemic world. As universities resumed a semblance of normalcy, they began prioritizing job-ready skills that would empower students to make meaningful contributions in their fields from day one.

Season 2 features renowned guests who share insights on how engineering education is evolving to meet these goals. Esteemed leaders Dr. Ken Ball (Dean, George Mason University, USA), Dr. Gerhard Müller (Senior VP, Technical University of Munich, Germany), Dr. Paloma Díaz (Dean, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Spain), Dr. Yannis Yortsos (Dean, University of Southern California Viterbi School of Engineering, USA), Prof. Euan Lindsay (Professor, Aalborg University, Denmark), Prof. Nagy Balázs Vince (President, SEFI-European Society for Engineering Education, Hungary), and Dr. Jane Goodyer (Dean, Lassonde School of Engineering at York University, Canada) explore themes around cybersecurity engineering, AI in learning, and the critical role of interdisciplinary skills in today’s workforce. Together, we discussed how educational tools and practices must adapt to equip students with both the technical and interpersonal skills they’ll need in increasingly diverse and dynamic fields.

Recurring Themes and Shared Challenges

Several recurring themes surfaced in our conversations. One pressing issue is the public perception of engineering: despite its vital role, the field is often misunderstood or underappreciated. There’s a clear need to improve the visibility and understanding of engineering, particularly among younger generations and their families.

Paul Gilbert joined by Dr. Euan Lindsay (Aalborg University, Denmark)

Another significant theme is the evolution of student assessment. Traditional grading methods often struggle to measure individual contributions within project-based or team-learning models, which are becoming more common as programs focus on real-world applications. Our guests share diverse approaches to evaluating teamwork, problem-solving, and other skills essential for the modern workforce.

Lastly, diversity in engineering education is a theme that resonates deeply. The engineering field must reflect the diversity of the world it serves, and universities are actively working to create more inclusive, accessible pathways for future engineers. Ensuring students see themselves represented within the field is essential to fostering an inclusive and supportive learning environment.

Looking Ahead: Season 3 and Beyond

With an eye to the future, we’re planning to dive into some pressing topics for Season 3. One area we’re particularly excited to explore is the responsible use of artificial intelligence in engineering education. AI has tremendous potential, but as it becomes increasingly integrated into our educational tools, it’s crucial to ensure that students learn to use it responsibly and ethically. We also plan to discuss the growing need to prepare students for career paths outside traditional engineering fields, like healthcare, public policy, and entertainment, as engineers are increasingly sought after for their problem-solving skills across a range of industries.

Paul Gilbert joined by Dr. Yannis Yortsos (Dean, University of Southern California, USA)

Another focus for the upcoming season is the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Today’s engineers need to understand how their work intersects with other fields and social concerns, and joint degrees that combine engineering with other disciplines could be key to preparing students for these multifaceted roles. As these conversations unfold, we aim to amplify diverse perspectives and foster a space where educators and industry leaders can exchange knowledge and build a richer, more inclusive vision for the future of engineering education.

Join the Conversation

For us, Quanser Café is more than just a podcast. It’s a collaborative journey that brings together global voices to share knowledge and tackle the big questions shaping engineering education today. We invite you to join us in these important conversations. Listen to Quanser Café on our website or your favorite podcast platform, and follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated on new episodes and insights from leaders in the field. Let’s work together to prepare the next generation of engineers for a rapidly changing world, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to thrive. We’d love to hear your feedback and ideas for topics or guests to feature next season – help us continue shaping the future of engineering education!