Martin Molzahn

Chemical Engineers for the 21st Century – Challenges for University Education

At the beginning of the 21st century, the education of chemical and process engineers is facing enormous challenges. The number of new students has dropped substantially since the early 1990s. The globalization of the worlds economy has altered the working environment and the job market for chemical engineers. The areas in which chemical engineers are active now extend far beyond the boundaries of the chemical industry. As a result, universities are having to compete much more, not only for undergraduate and graduate research students but also in order to keep courses and even departments open. This paper aims to shed some light on the current situation at the universities, the changes in the conditions and job environment in the chemical engineering field, and the demands being placed on tomorrows chemical and process engineers and on the education they receive. From an organizational point of view, it is important that the universities actively participate in and influence this ongoing process of change. In terms of course content, increasing emphasis must be placed on teaching students modern, relevant engineering knowledge and methodological and systematic skills, as well as those aspects of their education that are relevant for the ever more flexible, interdisciplinary and intercultural nature of chemical engineering work. Elements that could usefully contribute include support for study abroad programs and the provision of broad, high-quality extra-curricular studies. Despite the changes that have occurred, such as the introduction of new (bachelor and master) degrees, it is essential that the universities retain their characteristic and established profiles. At the same time, it is important to make the universities more accessible to well-qualified graduates from Germanys Fachhochschulen (universities of applied science).

Verfahrensingenieure für das 21. Jahrhundert : Herausforderungen für die Hochschulausbildung

The education of chemical engineers at the dawn of the 21st Century faces enormous challenges. The number of new students has dropped significantly since early 1990s. Globalisation is having an effect on the working environment of the engineering profession and changing the job market for process engineers whose activities now extend far beyond the chemical industry. As a result, universities and engineering schools now face increasing competition for students and scientific staff and for retention of degree programs and departments. This article throws light on the current situation of the universities, changes in working environment and conditions, and the demands placed on future chemical engineers and their education. Whatever changes may occur, e.g. through the introduction of Bachelor and Master degrees, the characteristic and proven profiles of engineering school and university training must be maintained while enhancing the conditions for good graduates.

GVC‐Fachausschuß „Aus‐ und Fortbildung in der Verfahrenstechnik”︁

Am 1. Dezember 1998 fand in Ludwigshafen eine interne Arbeitssitzung des GVC-Fachausschusses „Aus und Fortbildung in der Verfahrenstechnik” statt. Auf der Basis von insgesamt zehn Vortragen diskutierten 32 Teilnehmer aus Hochschule und Industrie u. a. uber die Einfuhrung gestufter Studiengange mit Bachelor-Masterabschlus, uber neuere Trends in der Ingenieurausbildung in Grosbritannien, uber Qualitatssicherung und Qualitatskontrolle an in- und auslandischen Hochschulen, uber neue Studiengange an Universitaten und Fachhochschulen sowie uber Konsequenzen der Globalisierung des Bildungsmarktes.