Education and Training in Civil Engineering: Beyond the Classroom

Abstract

ASCE’s Vision 2025 is a broad, challenging, and bold strategy that is producing a high sense of expectation among civil engineers. Together with the Body of Knowledge, the Vision 2025 seeks to broaden the knowledge base of civil engineers and stimulate a holistic view of the way civil engineers do business, including routine incorporation of risk assessment and management into projects, ethical handling of contracts and procurement, and involvement in public policy. One of the challenges in moving forward is the training of civil engineering students. This training must go beyond the confines of the classroom, and project-oriented activities have been incorporated in engineering education programs to provide much-needed real-life experiences. As we look toward 2025, service learning activities, basic research projects, and outreach programs will continue to play an important role in engineering education and training. This paper presents case studies of a service learning activity, two basic research projects, and outreach program activities that have worked in enhancing engineering education. Finally, the potential for such training activities to influence the global community is discussed.