Abstract
BackgroundThe main objective of the study was to examine the relevance of engineering mathematics to the emerging industries. The level of abstraction, the standard of rigor, and the depth of theoretical treatment are necessary skills expected of a graduate engineering technician to be derived from mathematical knowledge. The question of whether these skills are imparted to benefit emerging economies still remains a big area of investigation. This study investigated the relevancy of engineering mathematics to the benefit of local industry in a developing economy, Uganda.ResultsThere was a significant difference between the mathematics being taught to the engineering technical students and the mathematics relevant to the engineering technical work in the industries (p value < 0.05). Implying that the mathematics taught to engineering technical students, though relevant, is not in the form of what the industries require. The use, practicability, depth, rigor, modernity, relevancy, and usefulness of the taught mathematics were all statistically different from the desired mathematical skills for the industry. Moreover, the extent of use of the engineering mathematics did not differ between the required and taught and among the civil, electrical, and mechanical branches of engineering.ConclusionsThe mathematics syllabi for polytechnic institutes should be developed to directly support innovations and efficiency in the local industries. Therefore, a close collaboration between the polytechnic colleges and the local industries should be facilitated to achieve a sustainable industrial.
Highlights
The study examined the relevance to the local industry of the engineering mathematics in the emerging economies (Zill et al 2011)
Identification of the required quality of engineering mathematics in the academic programs essential to the local industry has not been established leading to an apparent deviation from what is required for local industrial development
With respect to relevance to industry, while the mathematical view of the engineering technicians working in industry could significantly differ from that of the mathematics educators, there could exist a difference among the mathematical views of the civil, electrical, and mechanical engineering technicians working in industry (Markes 2006)
Summary
The study examined the relevance to the local industry of the engineering mathematics in the emerging economies (Zill et al 2011). On the question of the relevance of the mathematics taught to the needs of the industries, it is deemed in the study that there exists a Jehopio and Wesonga International Journal of STEM Education (2017) 4:16 difference in view of those students who have had and those who have not had practical industrial experience. The level of abstraction, the standard of rigor, and the depth of theoretical treatment are necessary skills expected of a graduate engineering technician to be derived from mathematical knowledge. This study investigated the relevancy of engineering mathematics to the benefit of local industry in a developing economy, Uganda
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
