Engineering and Technology Education in University Studies: Driving Digital, Sustainable, and Resilient Development - A Case Study in Andalusia, Spain

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to examine the impact of training in intelligent systems within engineering courses at the university level, considering the parameters and reports on business trends for 2030, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The study analyzed 2309 subjects across 66 undergraduate degrees offered at nine universities in the Andalusia region, which is the most populous region in Spain. The objective of this research is to assess whether the training in intelligent systems, specifically in the fields of electrical engineering, electronics, computer science, and telecommunications, adequately prepares students in their final years of study to meet the demands of the labor and business market. Reports and trend studies have identified the urgent areas that require attention, including training in sensors, smart grids, smart cities, IoT, artificial intelligence, embedded systems, among others. The investigation provides insights into the current state of training in intelligent systems within the final years of engineering programs. These findings will inform future curriculum development and teaching guidelines, with the goal of enhancing students' knowledge and skills in line with technological and engineering trends. The study will analyze subjects across various Spanish universities in Andalusia, considering their rankings. Based on the analysis of the results, recommendations for improvement actions and strategies to strengthen the curriculum will be proposed.