Evaluation of social competencies in chemical engineering: Application and results of the pilot test (academic year 2012-2013)

Abstract

The Escola Tècnica Superior d'Enginyeria Química has a long traditon in the deployment of social competencies in engineering curricula through Integrated Projects (IP) carried out in structured teams. Social competencies are taught and practced during the development of the IPs. We conceptually introduce a methodology for a 360o assessment of the students' social competencies, as a tool to foster the improvement of their competency levels. In this artcle we analyze the results of the pilot test where the aforementoned methodology has been implemented in the Bachelor studies of Chemical Engineering. The results indicate that it is possible to objectvely obtain the student's competency level discriminatng among diferent social competencies, as well as among diferent students in the same team. The applicaton of this tool fosters the development of specifc educatve actons to help the students with low competency profle, to reach acceptable levels for a successful inserton in the labor market.