Success for the next generation of technology-driven organizations will not be derived solely from excellence in the core fields of engineering.  Understanding  and applying strategies and competencies related to: technology transfer; protecting and managing intellectual property; operating in cross-national legal and cultural environments; entrepreneurship; and respecting environmental concerns, among others, will distinguish winning firms in the marketplace.

Success for the next generation of university degree programs that prepare engineers for this complex environment is unlikely to occur without active collaboration among engineering, business and law schools, as well as selected social science programs.                                                      

That’s why IBM and the IEEE are hosting an international conference on the role of cross-disciplinary instruction in preparing engineering graduates able to meet the changing needs of employers.

From universities:

• deans, department chairs and curriculum chairs from engineering, business and law schools.

From corporations:

• senior work force and education/training executives from firms with large-scale systems and services projects.

From government:

• officials with responsibility for funding innovative higher education teaching, as well as those involved with higher education regulatory processes.

From other not-for-profits:

• officials of professional associations and accrediting groups serving engineering, business and legal education.   

The conference approaches the issue of preparing engineers for professional and organizational leadership from several distinctive perspectives. Dialog at conference sessions will cross the typical boundaries that often separate industry executives and practitioners from academic officials; educators from the related professional fields of engineering, business and law; and program innovators and commentators located in different world regions.    

By engaging conference participants in a series of working sessions, the conference seeks to:

• help create a roadmap of skills needed by future engineers;
• showcase several innovative program models in use to provide engineering students with the knowledge and skills needed to lead and thrive in complex global and organizational systems;
• outline research, desired experiments and pilot programs needed to develop and implement multidisciplinary engineering programs;
• generate action plans  to share with academic institutions, employers, government, accrediting organizations, foundations and others interested in preparing leaders for the new era.