Global Engineering Deans Council

Global Engineering Deans Council. The Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) is a leading international organization that brings together engineering deans from around the world, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, and University of Cambridge, to address global challenges and promote excellence in engineering education, as recognized by National Academy of Engineering and Royal Academy of Engineering. The GEDC works closely with other prominent organizations, such as World Federation of Engineering Organizations and International Federation of Automatic Control, to advance the field of engineering and promote sustainable development, as outlined in the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The council's members, including deans from University of Oxford, California Institute of Technology, and Georgia Institute of Technology, are committed to fostering collaboration and innovation in engineering education, as exemplified by the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab and Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences.

● Introduction

The Global Engineering Deans Council was established in 2008, with the support of UNESCO and International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences, to provide a platform for engineering deans to share best practices, discuss common challenges, and develop strategies for advancing engineering education, as discussed at the World Engineering Education Forum and Global Engineering Deans Summit. The council's introduction was facilitated by prominent engineering educators, including Charles M. Vest, former president of Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and John Hennessy, former president of Stanford University. The GEDC's introduction has been recognized by leading engineering organizations, such as National Science Foundation and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, as a significant step towards promoting global collaboration in engineering education, as highlighted in the Report of the National Academy of Engineering.

● History

The Global Engineering Deans Council has a rich history, dating back to its founding in 2008, when it was launched at the World Congress on Engineering Education in Budapest, Hungary, with the participation of European Society for Engineering Education and American Society for Engineering Education. Since then, the council has grown rapidly, with membership expanding to over 500 engineering deans from more than 50 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, India, and United States. The GEDC has held annual conferences, including the Global Engineering Deans Summit, which has been hosted by prominent universities, such as University of California, Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon University. The council's history has been shaped by its partnerships with leading organizations, such as World Bank and Asian Development Bank, which have supported its initiatives, including the GEDC Industry Forum and Women in Engineering Leadership.

● Membership

The Global Engineering Deans Council has a diverse membership, comprising engineering deans from top universities, such as Harvard University, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Michigan, as well as from smaller institutions, such as Purdue University and University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The council's members are committed to promoting excellence in engineering education, as recognized by ABET and Engineering Accreditation Commission. The GEDC's membership includes deans from a wide range of disciplines, including Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and Electrical Engineering, as well as from interdisciplinary fields, such as Sustainable Energy and Data Science. The council's members have been recognized for their contributions to engineering education, including National Medal of Science winners, such as Norman Augustine and Robert Langer.

● Mission_and_Objectives

The Global Engineering Deans Council's mission is to promote excellence in engineering education, foster global collaboration, and address the world's most pressing challenges, as outlined in the Millennium Development Goals and Sustainable Development Goals. The council's objectives include developing strategies for advancing engineering education, promoting diversity and inclusion, and supporting the development of innovative technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things. The GEDC's mission and objectives are aligned with those of leading organizations, such as National Academy of Engineering and Royal Academy of Engineering, which have recognized the importance of engineering education in addressing global challenges, as discussed at the Global Grand Challenges Summit.

● Activities_and_Initiatives

The Global Engineering Deans Council has launched several initiatives, including the GEDC Industry Forum, which brings together engineering deans and industry leaders, such as IBM and Microsoft, to discuss the future of engineering education and the skills required by the industry, as highlighted in the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report. The council has also established the Women in Engineering Leadership initiative, which aims to promote diversity and inclusion in engineering education, as recognized by National Science Foundation's ADVANCE program. The GEDC has partnered with leading organizations, such as UNESCO and World Bank, to support the development of innovative technologies, such as Renewable Energy and Sustainable Infrastructure, as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

● Governance_and_Leadership

The Global Engineering Deans Council is governed by a board of directors, comprising prominent engineering deans, such as University of Oxford's Professor Lionel Tarassenko and Stanford University's Professor Jennifer Widom. The council's leadership includes a president, who is elected by the members, and a secretariat, which is responsible for the day-to-day operations, as supported by International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences. The GEDC's governance and leadership structure is designed to ensure that the council remains responsive to the needs of its members and the global engineering community, as recognized by National Academy of Engineering and Royal Academy of Engineering. The council's leadership has been recognized for its contributions to engineering education, including National Medal of Science winners, such as Norman Augustine and Robert Langer.

Category:Engineering organizations