Future academic staff development through graduate courses in engineering education

A new project is being undertaken by the UNESCO International Centre for Engineering Education (UICEE) on the recommendation of UNESCO's International Committee on Engineering Education (ICEE). The UICEE has been asked to develop and implement a range of graduate courses in engineering education with the objective to facilitate the development of educational skills of engineering academic staff. It is necessary to prepare graduate engineers to become engineering academic teachers and effective tertiary education trainers, a factor generally overlooked in the total preparation of academics for their role in the university. The paper presents the range and structure of fully articulated graduate courses, commencing with a Certificate in Engineering Education and terminating with a Master of Engineering Education. A wide range of issues and ideas relevant to the university teaching/learning environment is covered by the courses in order to assist graduate engineers to become effective future supervisors and managers of learning in the higher education sector.