Contradictory tendencies in engineering education

The progress of technology has resulted in substantial changes in the process of modem engineering education. Three domains of subjects constituting the curriculum can be distinguished in this process. With time, certain contradictions between this triad of domains have developed. These contradictions manifest themselves in both negative and positive ways. This paper considers some aspects of this confrontation and proposes some recommendations to minimize the negative effects in education and to strengthen the positive outcomes. The gap between practice, as typified by design, and academe, as typified by the scientific approach, has grown too great. Closure will depend largely upon the willingness and ability of young academics to assimilate the industrial point of view and build bridges between the two cultures [1].