The SEFI European Convention for Engineering Deans 2024

This prestigious annual networking event, organised by the European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI) and hosted by the University of Sheffield, brought together Deans, Heads of Department, and Directors of Education from across Europe Higher Education Institutions.

The Dean's Convention: Insights and Discussions

The ECED is a premier event for academic leaders in engineering education to discuss common challenges, share experiences, and identify innovative solutions. Attendees had the opportunity to:

• Discuss innovation and governance in engineering education
• Share experiences in a professional, peer environment
• Identify solutions to common challenges
• Build a network with peers from different European countries
• Incentivize professionalism in higher engineering education
• Continue university leadership dialogue

About SEFI

The European Society for Engineering Education (SEFI) is the largest network focused on engineering education in Europe, boasting over 300 members, including higher education institutions, professional societies, student associates, and engineering companies. SEFI provides a unique platform for institutions to engage in discussions about the state of the art and the future of engineering education. Find out more about SEFI here.

Conference Theme: Is Higher Education Still Fit for Purpose?

The 2024 Convention focused on whether higher education is still fit for purpose, exploring three main themes:

1. Structural:
   • Do traditional hierarchies/silos prevent innovation and interdisciplinary approaches to education?
   • Does academic freedom inhibit leading teaching and implementing change?
   • Are there opportunities that traditional structures present which are being missed?
2. Technological:
   • Does institutional inertia conflict with an agile approach and accelerating digital advances?
   • To what extent should we embrace or resist the role of the academic being replaced by AI, individualised learning systems, and analytics?
3. Change:
   • How do context and constructs empower or present a barrier to the roadmap to institutional change?
   • Do institutions have the instruments to affect change?

Keynote Speakers

The Convention featured an impressive line-up of keynote speakers, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight into the future of engineering education:

• Dr. Ruth Graham, Independent Higher Education Consultant, RH Graham Consulting
  • Dr. Graham explored new educational priorities emerging in leading institutions, the facilitators and inhibitors to systemic educational change, and the importance of rewarding teaching in academic careers.

• Christian Lerminiaux, Director of Chimie ParisTech, University PSL
  • Director Lerminiaux discussed his extensive experience in engineering education and his vision for the future.
• Sirin Tekinay, Programme Director, United States National Science Foundation
  • Professor Tekinay highlighted mechanisms for international collaboration in STEM fields and discussed the roles of government, academia, and industry in engineering education.
• Mr. Dirk Bochar, Secretary General for Engineers Europe
  • Mr. Bochar shared his insights on the role of engineering education in Europe and the importance of professional networks.
• Professor Euan Lindsay, Professor of PBL and Digitalisation, UNESCO Centre for PBL, Aalborg University
  • Professor Lindsay delved into pioneering new models of engineering education that combine work- and problem-based learning with digital curricula.

Convention Programme Highlights

The Convention featured a series of dynamic and insightful activities, including keynote addresses, a stakeholder and sponsor panel, breakout sessions, and debates on the future of higher education. The program also included in-depth discussions on institutional changes, culminating in a closing plenary delivered by Dr. Gerhard Mueller from the Technical University of Munich.

Professor Matt Carr, Faculty Director of Education, praised the event, stating, "I very much enjoyed the recent SEFI Deans Convention hosted in our beautiful Diamond Building. It was a fantastic event and an excellent opportunity to hear from leaders and experts in education across Europe and beyond. The wide range of workshop sessions also facilitated thought-provoking conversation and debate around key topics such as academic freedom and education in an increasingly digital environment."

Attending Institutions

The Convention was attended by representatives from prestigious institutions across Europe and beyond, including:

• The University of Sheffield
• University of Paris
• Aalborg University
• Engineers Europe
• Technical University of Munich
• University of Twente
• University College London
• University of Warwick
• Norwegian University of Science and Technology
• Technical University of Denmark

Sponsors

Gratitude is extended to the sponsors for their support of the event:

• Ansys
• Knovel
• Autodesk
• Quanser
• Dassault Systems
• Mathworks
• McGraw Hill

The SEFI European Convention for Engineering Deans 2024 was a remarkable event that fostered connections, shared insights, and paved the way for future innovations in engineering education.