Philosophy of Engineering in High Quality Higher Education
Abstract: Engineering and Philosophy are typically conceived as two mutually exclusive domains. Some engineers and philosophers ideas are even worse. As a consequence, they do not understand the transforming world they are living. This essay is neither about Philosophy nor Engineering themselves. It is not restricted to Engineering Ethics or Higher Education. It is dedicated to a broader approach to the philosophy of technology, which is concerned with the technology itself and that aims to understand both the practice of designing and creating artefacts (including artificial processes and systems) and the nature of thing so created. This newer reality implies great modifications in the engineering higher education systems to keep them accountable for the future. Institutions, academics, students, and any other partners, need to think proactively to achieve the necessary transformation. Merely reproducing the engineering teaching, which reached a notable position after the WWII, will not be adequate in the XXI century.
Jorge Manuel Martins Barata
Bio: Full Professor at the University of Beira Interior and Director of AEROG – Aeronautics and Astronautics Research Center of LAETA, a top R&D unit in energy, transport, and aeronautics. With over 42 years of university teaching experience, he has lectured in propulsion, aerodynamics, heat and mass transfer, and combustion. He has supervised 73 academic works, including 11 PhD theses, 14 master’s dissertations, and several postdoctoral and undergraduate projects. He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Senior Member and Aeronautical Engineering Specialist of the Ordem dos Engenheiros, and recipient of a Certificate of Appreciation from SAE Aerospace. He has authored over 300 scientific publications, including more than 60 journal articles, 200 conference papers, 8 books, 14 monographs, and various educational materials. He has held over 20 academic or scientific service roles and participated in 44 funding applications, of which 23 were approved. His affiliations include RAeS, AIAA, SAE, 3AF, VFS, IAF, ASTFE, ISOABE, APMTAC, and SPEE (as founder). He has served as editor or editorial board member of 8 journals and held 11 government or public service positions.