| |9 DECEMBER 2024HIGHERReviewthrough simulation and virtual labs that set a new pace in the engineering profession. Competency-Based Curriculum allows modular structures where learners specialize in core areas of interest, developing their expertise in areas of high demand. This sets the graduates apart in skill, which allows them to be of value on cutting-edge projects and further develop innovations in areas of specialization.Prof Prakash Singh, Vice Chancellor (VC), DCRUST said, "It aims to not only enhance technical skills of students and faculty, but also strengthen collaboration between the automotive industries and prepare engineers for the industry who have the latest knowledge and know-how".Challenges to CBE Adoption in EngineeringHigher education has traditionally been structured and implementing a CBE is a transformative change in engineering. The restriction to CBE is the resistance to change among faculties and administrators who adopt the traditional systems of education on a time-based approach. The challenge for instructors is shifting teaching methodologies and assessment strategies to align with the competency-based approach that involves constant student assessment of mastery in project-based tasks and practical assessments. Besides, CBE involves changes in academic progress from course completion measured by grades to discrete measures of mastery of skills and competencies. This shift necessitates elaborate faculty training and the development of new assessment instruments, which is resource-intensive. Implementation of CBE requires infrastructure for Competency-based education. Traditional systems of engineering education are fixed course schedules, standardized testing, and academic semesters which demand restructuring to accommodate a competency-based education. It involves huge investments in digital platforms, virtual labs, and learning management systems capable of tracking student achievement at the level of competencies. Moreover, institutions rethink the processes for accepting the traditional time-based systems and build new frameworks that measure the mastery of students in skills.Engineering Education: The Way ForwardEngineering education will be conducted along the lines of general moves toward competency-based models, meeting the demands of students and the industry. For this to be successful, the institutions would have to invest in infrastructure, faculty development, and technology capable of supporting personalized learning experiences. Faculty training in new methodologies will center on skill mastery and project-based assessments. Digital learning platforms will further be developed to allow flexibility in the student-centered approach to learning, with options to adapt to individual students' pace and needs. Strong collaboration between academia and professional leadership is important to ensure that the developed competencies meet the demands of the current and future workforce. Engineering programs will have to change accordingly with the industries' alteration of pace, to qualify students with appropriate skills to solve emerging challenges. This interaction will result in current curriculums and forward-looking, hence qualifying the graduates not only to solve today's problems in engineering but also the problems encountered in the future. In this regard, CBE should perform as a foundation for engineering education, responding to the challenges of graduating into a rapidly changing world.
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