Generic Competencies for Globalization from the Perspective of Engineering Students

Abstract

Within the framework of globalization, current events are diverse and heterogeneous. The General Coordination of Technological and Polytechnic Universities in Mexico (CGUTyPM) adopted a competency-based educational model with the objective of preparing professionals not only with the necessary knowledge but also with adequate skills, attitudes, and values needed in the global economy. With the aim of complementing the necessary training of future engineers, academic programs of Mexico’s polytechnic universities have integrated into curricula courses in human development that address generic competencies. Development of competencies for students is complicated by the fact that within a globalized society it is necessary to learn profession-specific competencies in addition to generic competencies. However, in higher education, profession-specific competencies are commonly assumed to be of greater importance, and generic competencies are not prioritized. This paper presents the authors’ research findings detailing responses from 150 students in different engineering programs. For analysis, a cross-sectional descriptive methodology was employed, using a questionnaire completed by student participants. The results show a clear need for explicit integration of the generic competencies into general curricula in particular, those of basic professional knowledge, problem-solving, commitment to ethics (honesty) and responsibility. The authors conclude that the continued teaching of the generic competencies at the university level is essential to student learning and provides students with strategies for adapting to the ever-changing environment of a labor sector situated in a globalized world.

Keywords

• generic competencies
• globalization
• engineering students
• skills
• higher education