CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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Engendering social capital through collaboration in engineering education

Vojislav IlicUniversity of Western Sydney, Australia

Katherine CuricTAFE NSW – SW Sydney Institute, Australia

Brian MulveyTAFE NSW – SW Sydney Institute, Australia

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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Scope

• aim

• introduction

• social capital development – an australian scenario

• new directions

• conclusion

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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aim

examine the role of social capital through collaboration in ee in an australian context

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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introduction

• social capital – values gained from social interaction

• scope broadening –from parochial, national, international to global

• accreditation pressures – towards uniformity to minimal standards of value to global community

• ineer – a sterling example

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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social capital development – an australian scenario

• vet institutions & university partners building inclusive and cohesive communities

• tafe & universities complementary roles in supply of skilled workforce

• active industry interaction often lacking• skilled shortage respond well to local

partnerships• social capital especially vital for small firms• education and the role of government

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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new directions

• knowledge based society• australian technical college initiative –

funded by government – guided by industry alone

• rationalisation prompting multi-structured academic offerings (eg. mechatronics)

• affects large sectors of society through creation of social capital

CEE 2005 July 25-29, 2005, Gliwice, Poland

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conclusion

• social capital generation – barometer of wealth of a nation

• educational institutions one of major players

• for it all to succeed – in australian context at leaset – political good will is essential