Competencies of engineering students and equirements of universities and higher education centers to adapt to Industry 4.0: A study based on the meta-synthesis

Abstract

Industry 4.0 is one of the most challenging topics for engineering design as well as higher education. One of the fascinating topics of academic and industrial circles has been the creation of capabilities, requirements, and competencies in students to adapt to industry 4.0. This study aims to identify the capabilities, requirements, and competencies of higher education and graduate students based on a qualitative approach and the meta-synthesis study. Findings indicate that competencies and requirements in the dimensions of: 1. Competencies of engineering students (individual abilities, specialized knowledge, and skills, social abilities, technological skills), 2. University requirements (educational requirements 4.0, educational contexts, curriculum requirements, faculty improvement), 3. Non-university requirements (industry strategic skills 4.0, labor market requirements), 4. Human resource development were identified. The current study›s findings would be useful for planning the development of new approaches in engineering education curricula.

Keywords

• competencies
• engineering students
• higher education
• education 4.0
• meta-synthesis
• industry 4.0