Preparing Engineering Students for Global Workplace Communication: Changing the Japanese Mindsets

Abstract

Preparing engineering students for global workplace is a growing need as engineering schools not only recognize the value of university experience, but also discover that many of their students do not demonstrate the right skills and mindsets for global success. Fresh graduates frequently lack knowledge of other cultures and languages and, most importantly, of how communication works. This paper reports on a comparative, qualitative-quantitative study (of Japanese and international students with varying foreign exposure) conducted in a Japanese engineering and computer science university (with English as a medium of instruction), where internationalization and increase in global awareness are being promoted. The ever-increasing need for global skills in employees calls for a shift in educational focus and job application strategies. We suggest measures to be taken at tertiary education level that should lead to improvement of the communication and other global skills in Japanese graduates.