Engineering Tasks for the New Century Japanese and U.S. Perspectives (1999) / Chapter Skim
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6 Meeting the Challenge of Global Engineering
6 Meeting the Challenge of Global Engineering
Pages 63-78
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From page 63... ...
Even in academic research, collaboration between researchers in different countries is becoming more frequent and more important to the advancement of engineering science. Recognizing the growing necessity for American and Japanese engineers to work effectively in international collaborative activities, the Joint Task Force on Engineering Education decided to focus a major part of its effort on identifying the required capabilities of " global engineers," the skills and approaches that engineers from the United States and Japan bring to international 63
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From page 64... ...
and Japanese engineers both play prominent roles in their respective societies, but there are interesting differences. It is widely perceived that managers with engineering backgrounds are more likely to rise to the top management level in Japanese companies, particularly in manufacturing, than is the case in U.S.
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From page 66... ...
Alpha received funding for the development of several specific products. The Japanese partner became more familiar with the American management style in computing, and gained licensing revenues and 66
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The U.S. respondents point out that there are few immediate incentives for individual engineers to develop international skills and experience.
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From page 68... ...
respondents as generally providing more structured career tracks and support for employees to gain international skills. However, Japanese respondents did not think that the approaches of Japanese companies are adequate at this point.
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These global engineering project teams have provided AOI with world wide engineering development capability, allowing it to capitalize on the strengths of each site and to implement development and manufacturing world wide. This global engineering capability gives AO!
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Finally, global engineers should seek out jobs that entail international interactions for self-training. tne s1gn~1cant problems encountered by giona~ engineering project teams at AOT have included major slips in schedule (some of which have led to program cancellations)
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From page 71... ...
In the area of cultural skills, Japanese respondents tended to emphasize the importance of understanding foreign cultures and what was unique or different about Japan. The American respondents tended to emphasize the importance of basic adaptability and openness to foreign cultures.
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From page 74... ...
While the situation expected by Japanese engineering students is changing, they generally are less comfortable responding to direct questions and prefer that the instructor lecture rather than engage students in a dialogue. This difference becomes very apparent in the teaching of the more abstract topics such as probability, including quantitative risk assessment, an area that QMH has pioneered in applications.
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From page 75... ...
Participation in international technical meetings is also a useful mechanism. University-Based and Other Formal Educational Programs The Japanese respondents indicate that currently there are not many opportunities for Japanese undergraduate or graduate engineering students to gain international knowledge and skills.
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The MIT Japan Program has a long track record of training scientists and engineers in Japanese language and culture, and providing opportunities for research in Japanese university and industrial laboratories. One of the strengths of the program is its flexibility.
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· Expanded study-abroad and language study opportunities for undergraduate engineering students. · Development of case-based and other teaching materials aimed at building knowledge of the business and engineering cultures of various countries.
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From page 78... ...
· Option One: Expand grant programs targeted at individual students and researchers for education and training related to global engineering. One option would be for NSF and private foundations to expand funding available for individual students, researchers and schools pursuing one or more of the tasks outlined above.
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