Creating a woman friendly culture in institutes of higher engineering education

This article describes the results of a workshop that was held in Valencia during the annual conference of SEFI in 2004. The authors give remarks on the results supported by relevant and recent research. In the workshop, where about 35 participants were present, the following questions were discussed and answered:

Which factors indicate that an institute of higher engineering education is woman friendly? How can we rank these factors and what is the weight of the factors? What initiatives did your institute or other institutions of your country make to increase the percentage of female academic staff and to attract and retain more female students?     

A technical writing programme implemented in a first-year engineering course at KU Leuven

Technical communication and technical writing are important skills for the daily work-life of every engineer. In the first-year engineering programme at KU Leuven, a technical writing programme is implemented within the project-based course ‘Problem Solving and Engineering Design’. This paper describes a case study for implementing a writing programme based on active learning methods and situated learning in large classes. The programme consists of subsequent cycles of instructions, learning by doing and reflection on received feedback. In addition, a peer-review assignment, together with an interactive lecture using clicking devices, is incorporated within the assignments of the second semester. A checklist of desired writing abilities makes it easier to grade the large number of papers. Furthermore, this ensures that all staff involved in the evaluation process uses the same criteria to grade and for providing feedback.     

A blended learning approach to teach fluid mechanics in engineering

This paper presents a case study on the teaching and learning of fluid mechanics at the University of Western Sydney (UWS), Australia, by applying a blended learning approach (BLA). In the adopted BLA, various flexible learning materials have been made available to the students such as online recorded lectures, online recorded tutorials, hand written tutorial solutions, discussion board and online practice quizzes. The lecture and tutorial class times have been primarily utilised to discuss confusing topics and engage students with practical issues in applying the theories learnt in fluid mechanics. Based on the data of over 734 students over a 4-year period, it has been shown that a BLA has improved the learning experience of the fluid mechanics students in UWS. The overall percentage of student satisfaction in this subject has increased by 18% in the BLA case compared with the traditional one.     

A triangular approach to integrate research,education and practice in higher engineering education

Separate approaches in engineering education, research and practice are not very useful when preparing students for working life; instead, integration of education, research and industrial practices is needed. A triangular approach (TA) as a method to accomplish this integration and as a method to provide students with integrated expertise is proposed. The results from the application of TA, both at the course and programme level, indicate that the approach is suitable for developing engineering education. The student pass rate for courses where TA has been used has been higher than for previous approaches, and the student feedback has been very positive. Although TA aims to take both theoretical and practical aspects of engineering as well as research and education into account, the approach concentrates mainly on activities and therefore leaves the goals of these activities as well as the values behind these goals uncovered.     

A Qatari perspective on women in the engineering pipeline: an exploratory study

Under-representation of women in engineering has received a great deal of attention, but remained limited largely to a Western context. Thus, this article aims to unveil the barriers to progress, tracking the performance and the emerging trend of success at the undergraduate level of women in engineering in a different cultural dimension. Secondary research, particularly statistical data of female undergraduate engineering students at Qatar University (QU), is used in this study. Findings show that the booming economic development and access to modern education are the key drivers that change the position of women in Qatari society. A shift away from a masculine-dominated society to a more balance masculine/feminine society was identified as the impetus for better enrolment and achievement of female engineering students in Qatar. Similar to the trend in the USA, recruitment and not retention was the reason behind the under-representation of female undergraduate engineering students at QU.     

论20世纪20-30年代广东妇女受教育权

受教育权是妇女获得其他政治经济社会权利的基础。20～30年代,随着广东政治的相对进步、开明和经济的相对发展,为妇女教育提供了较好的外部环境,妇女的受教育权得到了相对的发展,为女性自立创造了一定的条件。但是,需要注意的是:广东妇女教育具有很强的政治性。     

转变思想观念注重指导服务落实具体措施探索地方院校毕业生就业工作新途径

随着我国高等教育改革的进一步深化和发展及我院由专科升格为本科，我院就业指导工作从指导思想、内容方法、服务体制等方面都发生了许多新的变化，为适应毕业生就业新的形势和新的要求，我院转变思想观念，注重指导服务，落实具体措施，开创了师范类院校毕业生就业工作新格局，保证了我院毕业生工作顺利进行，使我院2003年毕业生就业率(截止2004年3月10日止)达到82％。     

Monsters,magic and Mr Psycho: a biocultural approach to rough and tumble play in the early years of primary school

This paper focuses upon the developmental role of rough and tumble (R&T) play with particular attention to the narratives that children use to underpin such activities. A review of the literature suggests that current early years research and practice pays scant attention to children's outdoor free play activities. A piece of original research is described in which playtime activities were ethnographically observed over an 18‐month period. A biocultural approach was used in the analysis of data, in an attempt to encompass the roles of biology, evolution and culture in human development. Findings indicate that the narratives underpinning R&T play were socially complex and highly gendered, and it is suggested that much developmental learning may occur within such free play activities.     

Learning to become graduate students: Japanese women's experience in the research unit in engineering

Based on the analysis of 16 interviews with women first-year master's students at two national engineering schools in Japan, this article examines the socialisation role of compulsory undergraduate research experience in Japanese women's decisions to pursue graduate education and choices of the programme. The findings suggest that research experiences in a small independent research unit within the major department convinced Japanese women engineering students of their academic and social success as graduate students in the current environment. Although participants generally adapted themselves to the research unit through their research, there is a variation in the degree to which they were smoothly integrated into the research unit, reflecting organisational and individual differences.     

Developing mentoring relationships to support the careers of women in electrical engineering and computer technologies. An analysis on mentors’ competencies

Only a low percent of women follow studies and develop careers in the field of engineering and computer technologies (E/CT). An initiative for motivating and supporting young women towards future educational paths and careers in this field was undertaken in the framework of a European thematic network with the involvement of universities from almost all European countries. Mentoring was one of the most significant considerations during the first stage of the project. Twenty-six partners contributed with their views, suggestions and answers to a specific questionnaire on identifying the various qualifications building the profile of a prospective mentor. The paper discusses the important elements of mentoring schemes addressed to women deciding engineering education and career and analyses the proper mentor’s competencies. The study reveals that mentors should have a wide range of qualifications apart from their technical background, such as good professional level and training experience, as well as willingness, communication skills and other individual characteristics related to their personality.     

"三网"工程研究生公共课改革的新途径

从研究生公共课教学中教师素质、教学管理、教学模式的“三教”问题出发,提出了以网络为载体进行教学资源整合优化的公共课教学和管理改革的思路,并从“开发网络教学课件、建设网络管理平台、实施网络教学模式”三方面概括了“三网”工程的基本内容。该项目取得的初步成效表明,“三网”工程是研究生公共课改革的新途径。     

Adult Educators: an example of the new approach to lifelong learning in Poland

This article presents reflections arising from a study on adult learning professions in Poland. Changes in the socio-political and legal context created phenomena that have occurred in the adult education systems, mechanisms and approaches. The article focuses on the impact of those processes on a specific professional group — adult educators.
Because of the increasing importance of lifelong learning and the promising vision of a knowledge society, new initiatives in education open challenging possibilities for human development. Based on interviews with practitioners the article describes the professional situation of adult educators: training, development, awareness, values, priorities and practice. A new trend noticeable in these interviews — the emergence of a new kind of educator. The working style of this new group (operating like a closed caste) with a specific language and communication style, value system, ethics and critical skills resulted in the creation of the culture of lifelong learning. The culture of adult educators has developed skills of survival in a fragmented reality of the Polish educational policy, a chaotic legal frame and the strong pressure of the labour market.     

Gender Disparity in STEM Disciplines: A Study of Faculty Attrition and Turnover Intentions

This study examines the underrepresentation of women faculty in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by comparing the intentions of attrition and turnover between genders in Research and Doctoral universities. It is found that the two genders did not differ in their intentions to depart from academia, but women faculty had a significantly higher likelihood to change positions within academia. The indications are that women and men are equally committed to their academic careers in STEM; nonetheless, women’s stronger turnover intentions are highly correlated with dissatisfaction with research support, advancement opportunities, and free expression of ideas. The findings suggest that the underrepresentation of women is more convincingly explained by an academic culture that provides women fewer opportunities, limited support, and inequity in leadership, rather than by gender-based differences such as roles in family responsibilities. Changes in academic STEM culture are needed in order to attract more women scientists and narrow the current gender gap.     

着眼开放创新,转变大学工程训练方法

当前,综合性大学的理工科工程实践教学,正从传统的“金工实习”向现代工程训练转变。需要解决的问题很多,其中一个十分重要的问题就是应紧跟时代发展,着眼开放创新,自觉地积极地转变大学工程训练方法。     

A detailed research study of learning and teaching core chemical engineering to a high standard in a mixed-ability small class in industry

A detailed study of learning and teaching (L&;T) of chemical engineering distillation to a mixed-ability small class of 13 students who are ordinarily full-time in-house employees in industry is reported. The course consisted of 9?×?2-h lectures (18 hours) and 9?×?2-h tutorials (18 hours). It was delivered over nine business days in situ in an established distillery. The purpose was to (re)learn core distillation of ethanol–water mixes at the level of higher education of a bachelor programme. There was 90% broad agreement that the course encouraged more learning. Students (40%) felt the course was too mathematical, however. Pointedly, there was good agreement (63%) that the course stimulated communication with each other professionally, and customers of the distillery. Results overall provide good evidence that students valued their L&;T. The experimental design(s) could be readily applied to a range of fields of knowledge.     

Responding to diversity: the challenge of expanding basic education for young people in the south

This article explores the extent to which and how non-formal education (NFE) contributes to the development of a more diversified basic education system and thus to the achievement of EFA. It outlines the current nature of NFE, the frameworks provided by the EFA movement, and the evolution of reflection, policies and practices in NFE in relation to basic education as a whole. Based on significant developments in various countries across the South, the article also discusses some key challenges that ministries of education and their partners need to face in moving towards relevant and equitable diversity in education. The article posits that, despite the many problems faced by NFE, there is justification for building on its experiences and integrating these within a larger policy and systems framework that responds more effectively to needs and circumstances of children and young people.

A case study of women instructors and their education in the reign of Abdulhamid II

Abstract

This study demonstrates how the cultural role of Ottoman women began to change during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries as well as considering emerging conflicts due to their altering roles in society as they were educated in the Darulmuallimat (teachers’ college for women) and acquired social positions as woman instructors. The first phase of the study is about schooling for women in the late Ottoman Empire and how women became teachers. The work mentions an interesting historical document which shows the relationship between a female instructor and a director of education (maarif müdürü) in Trabzon. This document also points to the disturbances aroused by these changes in women’s social status which needed to be reconstructed. It indicates how the government took measures to preserve the existing norms as women became more visible in the community and reminded them that their first responsibility was always about preserving their chastity and esteem. The first woman teachers to commence participating in the public sphere were effective at shaping and structuring culture in the Ottoman Empire; thus they should be investigated in terms of their social roles and their effects on cultural transformation as well. The case of Macide Han?m is considered in the cultural, economic, and political contexts of late Ottoman history with an emphasis on women’s education and modifying social roles. The study was carried out by scrutinising historical documents in the Prime Ministry Ottoman Archives, especially documents in the maarif mektubi kalemi section.     

建国以来毕节彝族历史文化概述

毕节是全国彝族聚居区之一,新中国成立以来,毕节彝族人民在党的领导下翻身做了主人,为推动毕节经济社会发展作出了卓有成效的贡献。彝族文化在传承中发展,在发展中弘扬,在中华文化大家庭中彰显了独特的个性。对该时期毕节彝族历史文化进行简单的梳理,对于打造地方民族旅游文化品牌有着重要的现实意义。     

中老边境地区的文化多样性、跨境互动与文化传承——基于西双版纳勐腊县跨境民族的考察

西双版纳勐腊县中老边境地区民族多元、文化多样,实为同一民族却分属不同国家的跨境民族,交往密切且形式丰富。在全球化、现代化情境下,互为"文化备份"的跨境民族及其之间的族群互动将有助于民族传统文化的传承与该地文化多样性的存续。