Global Approach for Reforming Engineering Education in Iran

The aim of this paper is to determine the objectives and standards of engineering education in Iran, adopting a global approach. Eight documents and fourteen models of engineering education were analysed using content analysis. In order to define the objectives and standards of engineering education in Iran, common characteristics of the selected documents and models were identified. With regard to the results of the content analysis of these documents, twenty-four objectives in five categories for engineering education were determined. These categories include: knowledge and reasoning in technical and engineering topics; personal skills and attitudes; professional and ethical skills and attitudes; interpersonal skills and attitudes; and skills for developing system, product, or process. In addition, based on the content analysis of fourteen models derived from international consortia and agreements, seven standards including twenty-seven requirements were identified for engineering education. These standards are: the philosophy and objectives of engineering education; the curriculum; the instructional space and facilities; the teaching-learning process; faculty members; students; and assessment and evaluation.