Gaining international competence: A multi-faceted approach to international engineering education

Abstract

In direct alignment with Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology criteria to train engineers who should be globally competent, the International Programs in Engineering office in the College of Engineering at the University of Michigan has created a broad palette of international program activities that will engage both its undergraduate and graduate student populations to develop global skills. Programs range in duration from a few hours to the length of an academic career and include language learning and cross-cultural training. These programs are accompanied by a strategic marketing plan that has resulted in a steady increase in participation, with more graduates who are well-equipped to deal with the challenges posed by working in multi-national corporations.