Engineering Education and the Engineering Research Centers: Towards an Active Industry Role

The United States is undergoing a period of decreased international competitive ability, attributed by many to a lag in generating products from ideas - the area of engineering research. The National Science Foundation has responded to this situation with the creation of the Engineering Research Center, a joint university/industry collaborative aimed specifically at enhancing U.S. capacities for multidisiplinary engineering research, and at increasing the effectiveness of all levels of engineering education. Industry is principal in the research and educational aspects of the ERC, and must be aware of the potential benefits that can result from an active role in the Center's development, primarily the long term educational aspects. Industry should also focus on how best to orient itself to maximize these benefits.