Engineering educators from across Australasia and beyond will gather at Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) and Ara, for the 35th Australasian Association of Engineering Education Annual Conference this December. "This conference brings forward ongoing evolution and increasing innovation in engineering education, blending tradition with new approaches to enhance our curriculum and pedagogy," says Amo Matua | Executive Dean of Engineering, Professor Saurabh Sinha.
The conference will be critical for educators to ensure engineering graduates can take a holistic approach to the discipline, considering community, climate and sustainability alongside technological innovation.
"Attendees can expect industry, cultural, and educational insights, including opportunities to explore state-of-the-art labs for a deeper understanding of the research and teaching underway at UC.
"This conference will be an opportunity to learn from leading practitioners, understand the latest trends and changes, and network with peers who are equally passionate about making a positive impact through engineering," Professor Sinha says.
The guest speakers bring unique insights, years of industry experience and fresh approaches to education. Speakers include Professor Caroline Baillie, a Professor of Integrated Engineering and Social Justice at the University of San Diego who offers a Master of Engineering in Engineering, Sustainability and Health, "Caroline's approach is something we haven't seen in New Zealand, it will be a fresh approach," Professor Sinha says.
Former Vice-Chancellor of UC Dr Rod Carr and Chairperson of He Pou a Rangi | Climate Change Commission will present a multi-faceted perspective, diving into how engineers can contribute to climate change mitigations and adaptations.
Keynote speaker UC Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Sustainability, Professor Jan Evans-Freeman, who is also President of Engineering New Zealand, will discuss the university's place in a sustainable future, including the tangible large and small-scale opportunities tertiary institutes can enact.
Conference attendees will also hear from Troy Brockbank who is dedicated to Mātauranga Māori and Indigenous approaches, striving to make them central to engineering in Aotearoa New Zealand.
"This conference is key to supporting a pillar of the UC Engineering Strategy, to better serve the dynamic and ever-changing future of work and supporting the United Nations SDGs. We want to thank the conference sponsors, including Tourism New
Zealand, ChristchurchNZ, and Altium for their support and look forward to welcoming conference delegates, especially our international guests, to Aotearoa New Zealand," adds Professor Sinha.
The conference will run from 8-11 December 2024. With over 120 papers and over 30 workshops submitted, it will be one of the biggest recent engineering education conferences in the region.
