International conference discussed the future of engineering education in the digital age

Press release

International conference discussed the future of engineering education in the digital age

Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan, 20 September 2024.

From 19 to 20 September 2024, the International Scientific and Technical Conference ‘Development Trends and Challenges of Quality Assurance of Engineering Education and its Future in the Digital World’ was held at the Ak Maral Recreation Centre, located on the coast of Lake Issyk-Kul. The conference was attended by leading experts from Central Asia and Europe representing authoritative international organisations in the field of engineering education quality assurance.

The conference was organised by the Agency for the Accreditation of Educational Programmes and Organisations (AAEPO), the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), the Central Asian Federation for Quality Assurance in Engineering Education and Activities (CAAAE) and the Kyrgyz State Technical University named after I. Razzakov.

Keynote speeches and topics

Lira Samykbaeva, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic for Digital Development, made a welcoming speech, where the role of engineering education in economic development was emphasised. She expressed her gratitude to the President of the European Network for Accreditation of Engineering Education (ENAEE), Professor José Cuadrado, for the great assistance provided in the field of quality assurance of engineering education in Central Asian countries.

ENAEE President José Cuadrado delivered a keynote address on ‘Strengthening Quality Assurance and Accreditation: Shaping the Future of Engineering Education’. He emphasised the significant changes in engineering education in the context of rapid development of digital technologies. Not only should the engineering profession become more attractive, but it should also require ‘soft skills’ such as communication, critical thinking and group work. ‘Engineers are the engines of the economy and their training must keep pace with the digital revolution,’ Cuadrado said.

Director of AAEPO, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Baktybek Ismailov in his speech ‘Development Trends and Innovations in Engineering Education’ spoke about the changes caused by the fourth industrial revolution and innovations in engineering education.

The President of the Central Asian Federation, Doctor of Engineering Science, Professor Abdumutalip Abzhapparov, spoke about the history of the organisation and its plans for the future. Special attention was paid to the importance of co-operation of Central Asian countries in the field of engineering education for quality assurance and development of regional engineering activities. He emphasised that one of the key tasks for the Central Asian countries is to diversify the economy based on the results of publication activities and scientific research.

ENAEE Vice-President, PhD, Professor Mukambetkali Burkitbayev added that the fourth industrial revolution poses new challenges for engineers, requiring mastery of modern digital technologies and implementation of innovations in production. He also presented the results of a comparative analysis of publication activity of universities in Central Asian countries.

Discussing the challenges of the digital age

After a number of presentations, the conference participants moved on to a lively discussion. The main topic of discussion was the Fourth Industrial Revolution and new requirements for engineers. The necessity of strengthening the interaction between universities and business to accelerate the introduction of innovations into production and contribute to the socio-economic development of Central Asian countries was emphasized.

Adopted resolution

At the end of the conference, a Resolution was adopted, which recommends the development of a lively discussion after a number of speeches. The main topic of discussion was the Fourth Industrial Revolution and new requirements to engineers. The necessity of strengthening the interaction between universities and business to accelerate the introduction of innovations in production and contribute to the socio-economic development of Central Asian countries was emphasised.

National Engineering Education Programmes, introduction of digital technologies into the educational process and strengthening of cooperation between universities and business. The participants stressed the role of accreditation agencies in ensuring compliance of educational programmes with new challenges and tasks of the digital era.

Regular meeting of the Central Asian Federation

A meeting was held on 20 September, where ENAEE President Jose Cuadrado, President of CAF Abdumutalip Abzhapparov, Director of AAEPO Baktybek Ismailov, Chairman of ‘Association of Engineering Education of Tashkent City’ Talat Magrupov, President of ‘Association of Graduates of Tajik Polytechnic Institute’ Alfiya Akhrorova spoke.

The results of fulfilment of the Khujand and Almaty agreements were summarised. During the meeting it was announced about the transfer of the chairmanship of the Federation for the next year to the Kyrgyz Republic represented by the Director of AAEPO Baktybek Ismailov.